Full Moon Over the Koa Tree

'Twas the December, 2011 full moon that was also a full eclipse.

From our back yard. Caught this just after sundown between clouds which eventually covered our whole sky so, no eclipse at our house but the next day we heard from many people on the island that is was one of the best ever!

More Underwater - the glorious green turtle and it's habitat

Happy coral reef

 Always a thrill to come across these

Coming up for air

This day was a happy accident in that my cheap little underwater camera set-up actually took some 

decent photo's - always having trouble with focus. Trying to figure out why is worked so well this day????

**********Firsts**********

One down and dozens to go!

FIRST EGG - JULY 9, 2011

First Bites - 6 Pullet Egg Omelet  -July 17th
So far just one of the four is laying. Called pullet eggs due to small size and our gals are still under a year old.

FIRST LILIKO'I (Passion fruit)

FIRST BROCCOLI!

FIRST YACON

A tuber kinda like jicama only sweet, very juicy and crisp. Quite a surprise that it's excellent raw. Also sometimes called Peruvian ground apple ('cuz of that sweetness, I suppose).

Roots at harvest time. (acquired through Google Images)

Toyota dashboard garden produces first tomato!

46th Annual Makawao Paniolo Parade

"Friends and families gather Upcountry each year to celebrate the Fourth of July with a weekend filled with cowboys, cowgirls and country western festivities that make smalltown Maui so special. And what better place to celebrate than Makawao Town, with its rustic charm reminiscent of the old Hawaiiana days, a place many local folks are proud to call home." (Maui Weekly) 

Baldwin Avenue - the heart of Makawao Town (Makawao is pronounced mock'-ah-wow), 

the start of the parade route.

The parade kicks off with the kids' stick pony race. You can witness many riding styles here.

The leaders breaking away.

This little buckaroo is sporting a fine steed!

Strolling along in last place, the crowd erupted, cheering him on to finish, but the big fuss was just too intense. A few seconds after this, he dropped his little pony in the street and ran off into mom's arms.

It takes all kinds to watch a parade:

Tracy & Betsy in line at Komoda Bakery to get

"Donuts on a Stick"

Cars:

       

Horses & Riders:

Whoa, big fella!

Clowns

Hawaiian Slack Key guitar band rolling along on a flatbed trailer.

Pretty much anybody can be in the parade!

 "Rainbow Rentals" rents portable toilets and gives away free T.P. to those lucky enough to be in the front row.

Truly beautiful float near the end of the parade.

As the parade ended a rain squall came by and the crowd dispersed rather quickly.
In the background is the street sweeper truck bringing up the rear in cleanup mode.


It was a sweet little hometown parade and well worth the 10 minute drive from our house.
Fun from a photographer's point of view as well - such an abundant variety of subject matter.

Maui Film Festival and the Celestial Cinema

The annual Maui Film Festival is held in June and it's a marvelous event.

(promotional photo)

It all starts in a grassy parking lot about 2 miles from the venue. Here we are parked with our niece Julia who spent 2 weeks with us, waiting for the shuttle bus ride to the 
"Celestial Cinema"

Part of the experience is to arrive early and line up for the shuttle.

Buses staged for starting time. First one rolls at 6:15. The show starts at 8:00

 The venue is a golf course located on the south shore of Maui in the Wailea/Makena area. It's known as the Gold course and there are 3 other full size golf courses in this immediate area. After getting through the ticket lines, it's up the hill onto the fairway which becomes the Cinema each evening during the 8 day event. After claiming some territory on the grass with beach chairs and blankets, it's time for a walk up the hill on the golf course for beautiful sunset views - the main reason to be early birds!

 From the top of the fairway looking southwest. The uninhabited island of Kahoolawe is seen in the distance.

 Sunset is upon us. You can see the amphitheater shaped area beginning to fill with people in front of the 30 foot by 50 foot screen. This huge screen is put up and taken down each day. Golf course by day, Celestial Cinema by night.

Maui sunsets are famous and plentiful.

As dusk comes, the crowd grows.

It's just about show time and people are still arriving and settling.

A rather dapper movie goer all dressed up for a big night out!

Under the stars, with gentle warm breezes flowing, a fifty foot screen with awesome sound and friendly people - it all adds up to home theater at it's best - Maui Style!