Meet Brutus.

As he got closer one of the volunteers from the Malama na Honu society said "Oh look it Brutus." Who? I said "Brutus, he's one of the turtles that comes here alot. In fact he has been tagged so we can track him constantly."

After waiting patiently for what seemed like a thousand years, about fifteen minutes we spotted what looked like a two hundred pound rock floating toward shore.

Laiakea beach on the north shore of Oahu is a favorite hang out for "honu" green sea turtles. Tourists come from around the world to get a glimp.

Tuttle hunting

On the beach watching for turtles. They like to feed near the rocks. We even saw one climbing over rocks. They get stuck. One we saw was actually sideways between two rocks. But they are patient. They just wait for the next wave to push them up again and over the next rock.

I'm coming out of he Library today, Saturday. Sometimes I think that I live there.

Here is a better picture of McDonald's. It sits in the PCC parking lot.

This is a town that we go to often because it has one of our favorite hangouts, Walmart. This sign carved out of wood and then parts of it are painted. This week we are going to hike up to Sacred Falls State Park which is about 4 miles from our house and later in the week we are going in search of sea turtles bathing on the beach.

I love this Banyon tree! It is on the way to Koneohe. There are vines that hang down from the branches and when the reach the ground they grow into the earth and become the root. They get wider and stronger until they are another tree trunk. this one has been growing for a very long time as you can see. It is spread out. Look at the size of the cars compared to this tree. I have a shell necklace that I wear that was bought right under this tree about 30 years ago.

Sugar Plantation

Ruins of the Sugar mill sitting right along Kamehamahe Hwy.

Bus Stop

Some of the bus stops are pretty primitive, like this one. Some are even just a small sign on the side of the road in the trees and bushes. But people stand there and wait for the bus.

Friday BYU Hawaii had a Food Fest. It is an activity for the entire community with lots of food from all different countries, bands playing, performances from different cultures and countries, big jumping rooms for the kids, etc. Much like Peach Days.

McDonald's

This is our McDonald's. Inside is a rock wall and waterfall. Also artifacts from Hawaiian culture.

This is an elementary school in Kahuku.

As you can see the Temple sits on a hill. There are beautiful water fountains all along the pathway up to it. We were the only people there that night because of an activity at the college called Food Fest. It is Laie's equal to Peach Days. It is for the entire community with live music, entertainers, food, games, etc.

Visitors Center at the Temple

Dad in front of the visitors center. I just loved this tree. While we were standing there a huge rat ran across the sidewalk. I didn't think they were allowed on Temple grounds. Perhaps a morman rat or more likely an investigator. No time to take his picture, I was scurrying away faster then he was.

Here is a night picture at the temple. This is Lehi giving Joseph a blessing. It is powerful.

Taro

Taro is a plant. It was the staple of the Hawaiian diet for centuries. There are songs about it and the farmers who grew it expressed their great love for their taro plants and the joy they received from farming them. Unlike the hated sugar cane plants. Pinapple wasn't a favorite either, it was hard work and difficult on the hands and back. Many Hawaiian families still use taro for special occasion dinners. But I think that it tastes terrible.

I love the mountains.

The mountains here are almost straight up and down.

China man's Hat

China man's hat is a very small island right off the beach. It is too far to swim to unless you are a very good swimmer. There are islands in the distance too. Some are too small to see in the picture.

Stand in line

This guy did not want to give up the drinking fountain to a Haole. I kept taking his picture and stepping closer but he would not fly away.

Abandoned house

This is a old Hawaiian house that still has the walls standing. It is made out of volcanic rock. It would have had a very high pitched thatched roof on it. It is in the middle of a campground on the beach just across from China man's Hat.

This is one set of Hawaiian fishing gods that stand at the entrance of the Polyniesian Cultural Center. There are 4 of them. They are very big. I will have Grandpa stand by one next week so that you can get an idea of their size.

A mongoose for Caleb

Caleb has been asking us to take a picture of a mongoose here in Hawaii. Last night we had a barbeque in the back yard with the Kapu family upstairs. We asked them if they ever see mongoose in the wild here. They said that if you throw out some bread and wait you will see one. So we did and here is the mongoose that came into the backyard to get the bread. What shall we name him?