Could That Turtle Be As Old As I Am?

"Located between Pahala and Naalehu on the southeastern Kaʻu coast, you will discover Punaluu Black Sand Beach. This is one of the most renowned Black Sand Beaches in the Hawaiian islands; distinguished for its aqueous geology, basaltic beauty, endangered species of wildlife and Hawaiian history. As the Kaʻu side of the island is exposed to strong ocean currents, it isn’t always the best conditions for swimming, but it is a sightseer’s dream."

"Punaluʻu beach is the most famous black sand beach in the state. The two reasons for the popularity of this beach are the gorgeous black sand beach and the fact that you can often see endangered Hawksbill turtles and green turtles basking in the sun on the beach.

Located between the towns of Pāhala and Nāʻālehu in Kaʻū, Punaluʻu Black Sand Beach's jet black shores are an unforgettable sight. Coconut palms fringe the upper edge of sand and you may also discover large honu, (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles), basking on the beach."

The best time to see the turtles is from arly afternoon(1130/12-1). They start to haul out in the stoned wall area on the beach. By 3, there should be at least 5 regulars taking a nap. They come out of the water to warm up.

"The turtles basking in the sun are Hawaiian green sea turtles (Honu). You can sometimes also encounter the more rare Hawksbill Turtle (Honu’ea) in the water but not basking on the beach."

"Sea turtles almost never bask on the beach. Several species of green sea turtles do this but only at a few locations worldwide. Hawaii is one of those!"

Looks like the turtle is eating.

"One of the reasons why Punaluʻu is such a popular stop are the turtles that you can often find foraging (feeding) in the water or basking in the sun on the beach ."

Generally, green turtles are more active during the day than at night.

"Commonly called the green sea turtle or Pacific green turtle, these magnificent creatures are referred to by their Hawaiian name “honu.” They are typically only 2 inches long when they hatch, but grow to 3-4 feet in length and weigh around 300-400 pounds as adults. The largest one ever found was 5 feet long and 871 pounds! They can live to be more than 80 years old, it’s hard to know just how old, because they usually outlive the length of the research."

Green sea turtles are listed as both an endangered and threatened species, depending on the region of the world you are in. It’s illegal to interfere with or approach honu within ten feet, so always be aware and don’t wander too close to these protected animals. Honu are absolutely worth seeking out to simply observe and admire from a safe distance.

Sea turtles are not to be touched, as their immune system is unprotected against human bacteria.

The sand at the beach is made of small pitch-black fragments of lava. Try picking up a handful when you are at the beach to see if you can still recognize some of the larger parts as coming from an old lava flow!

Local tradition says that if any volcanic rock or black sand from Punalu`u Beach is taken away from Hawai`i, that the person that took it will be cursed by the Hawaiian volcano goddess Pele until it is returned. Punalu`u is also a well-known nesting place for hawksbill and green sea turtles.

"In the Hawaiian language puna luʻu means “spring (water) diver for”. Unique to Punaluu within its aqueous environment is a large amount of underground fresh water that flows into the bay. Legend has it that in times of drought, the ancient Hawaiians would free-dive in Punaluʻu’s ocean waters with gourd vessels to collect fresh water."

Black sand beaches are formed by volcanic activity, creating a unique and often beautiful landscape. The sand's color is due to volcanic rocks like basalt, andesite, and volcanic glass, rich in iron oxides. These beaches are found in volcanic regions around the world, including Iceland, Hawaii, and Santorini. 

"Designated as a genuine black sand beach, Punaluʻu is made from basalt sand formed from the rapid cooling of basaltic lava hitting the ocean water then shattering into tiny fragments. The lava continues to be broken down and the waves push the glassy sand back to shore forming a beach. This creates a beautiful, jewel like, shimmering beach."

The beach itself is lined by rows of coconut palms. The shade under the palms is a good place to hang out because the black sand can get very hot in the sunlight.

Stopped for lunch at the Punalu'u Bake Shop

The birds always want to join you for lunch.

Goats were introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by Captain James Cook in 1778 and Captain Vancouver in the late 1700s. Captain Cook gifted one male and two female goats to the Native Hawaiians on Ni'ihau. They were intended as a food source for sailors and were also given as gifts to the islanders. Goats quickly became feral, multiplying and impacting the native ecosystem.

Goats devastated the native vegetation of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. That progress was undone in the years that followed, however, as control efforts faltered.

What breed are the wild goats in Hawaii?

Breed: The Hawaiian Ibex goat is not a true ibex, but rather a feral goat, also known as the Hawaiian feral goat or Spanish goat.

Origin: Goats were first released on the Hawaiian Islands by Captain James Cook and his crew during their third and final voyage of discovery in the Pacific.

While they look adorable to animal lovers, goats are blamed for the extinction of some indigenous plants in the delicate Hawaiian ecosystem because they pretty much eat anything. One local said, “We don't eat them,” when asked whether they enjoy goat meat. “The meat smells,” he said.

Hunting for these goats has become a popular activity for both locals and visitors.

Water lilies are aquatic plants belonging to the Nymphaeaceae family, found in temperate and tropical regions globally. They are known for their large, floating leaves (often called lily pads) and beautiful flowers, which can range in color. Water lilies play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems, providing food and habitat for various species. 

In Christianity, the water lily, particularly the white lily, often symbolizes purity, rebirth, and new beginnings, often associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The interlocking petals can also represent unity and life energy. The lily's association with water further enhances its symbolic meanings of purity and cleansing. 

Water lilies are generally not poisonous to the touch for humans. While they can cause mild skin irritation, especially with prolonged handling or for sensitive individuals, they are not known to be toxic in the way that some other plants are.

Water lilies are special for their unique combination of beauty, ecological importance, and cultural significance. They are visually striking with their floating leaves and vibrant flowers, and they play a vital role in aquatic ecosystems by providing shelter and shade. Furthermore, they hold cultural and spiritual meanings in various cultures, representing purity, enlightenment, and rebirth.

We passed this ship, Pride of America, in the morning in Kona.

This afternoon it was still there.

Our dinner companion tonight.

Michael had the Chinese chicken salad.

I had the Loco Moco - Grilled Parker Ranch Patty, Sunny Side Up Egg, Brown Gravy, Grilled Hamakua Mushrooms, Steamed Rice, Potato Mac Salad This is a favorite dish of mine whenever I am in Hawaii. Most of the time, people eat this for breakfast.

Loco moco is a dish featured in contemporary Hawaii cuisine. The traditional loco moco consists of white rice, topped with a hamburger patty and brown gravy, and finally a sunny-side up fried egg. These ingredients must exist in the dish to be named loco moco. No other egg variations are considered traditional and the stacking of the dish must be in the aforementioned order to be considered traditional. Variations to egg style, meats, and stacking alters the naming of the dish. Modern (non-traditional) presentations of the dish may include other toppings and side dishes such as grilled onions and macaroni or potato salad.

The dish was reportedly created at the Lincoln Grill restaurant in Hilo, Hawaii, in 1949 by its proprietors, Richard Inouye and his wife, Nancy, at the request of teenagers from the Lincoln Wreckers Sports club seeking something that differed from a sandwich, was inexpensive, and yet could be quickly prepared and served. They asked Nancy to put some rice in a bowl, a hamburger patty over the rice, and then top it with brown gravy. The egg came later. The teenagers named the dish Loco Moco after one of their members, George Okimoto, whose nickname was "Crazy” because of his crazy antics. George Takahashi, who was studying Spanish at Hilo High School, suggested using Loco, which is Spanish for crazy. They tacked on "moco" which "rhymed with loco and sounded good".

"This dish was featured on the "Taste of Hawai'i" episode of Girl Meets Hawai'i, a Travel Channel show hosted by Samantha Brown. The episode features the dish being served at the popular restaurant, Hawaiian Style Cafe, in Waimea together with the plate lunch, another Hawaiian specialty dish.