Gone Holoholo

This last week we went "holoholo" which is the Hawaiian equivalent to a "ride-to" but the "to" may be unknown, similar I think to the Australian "walk about."  Part of the tradition is that you don't tell people where you are going -- the idea being that the time is for a true get away.

On our list of things to explore was the above pictured ancient fish pond located on the Honokohau Bay just south of Kona's airport. Kaloko, the name of the pond area comes from the Hawaiian word LOKO whose meaning includes within/inside, interior, pond, lake, pool.  The fish pond seawall (kuapa) is constructed of porous lava allowing the water from the ocean to flow through.

The Honokoau National Historic Park is home to a number of interesting features rich in ancient Hawaiian history: house platforms, stone game boards, petroglyphs, stone enclosures, heiau (sacred altars) freshwater ponds, ancient Hawaiian slide, Queens Bath, and a small boat basin loaded with fishing boats. There is an excellent article about this area you can read by going to this link: KALOKO FISH POND INFO



Over 80 species of birds (manu) have been identified along the series of ponds, many are endemic to Hawaii. The photo above here is of a Black Headed Heron we saw.  We also saw a pair of Hawaiian Coot who were building a floating nest near the reeds.  (Our photo did not turn out as well as this one by Mike Neal.)

Recently an article was published about West Nile Virus and the disastrous effect it could have on Hawaii's already at-risk bird population.  If it isn't hurricanes, tsunami's, tree fungus, or lava -- it may be something else:  WNV and Hawaii's birds

STAY TUNED TO OUR BLOG!  Our holoholo also included a visit to Napo'opo'o, Pu'u Honua O Honaunau (Place of Refuge) and a drive up the Kohala coast to hike and explore the Puako Petroglyph trail.  WATCH our BLOG for further stories from these historical/cultural Hawaiian sites!!