I was disappointed with my photography at this park. I got there early one day and conditions were great. Photographed the turtle, super, shot the “forbidden sign, fine and then I got distracted by several birds. They were just a bit too far for my lens to get the sharpness and the size I needed but I knew that they were new birds and so I just kept shooting walking down the beach past great scenery and taking photos of these birds. A lot of photos. t thought I would come back here it was a quick trip from our rental and we did late one evening. Yet, I missed a lot and ended with a few good shots and lots of barely visible birds. Lots.
Kaloko-Honokōhau was a village unlike the last two posted parks that were associated with the kings. These were fisherman, farmers, canoe makers, families, & warriors. They lived in a village along the shore that had a bit of fresh water and that sustained them here. Archeological work is ongoing at several sites. One of the very interesting parts of the park were the fish ponds they built. Both in the shallows and in two bays. Here they captured and carefully managed lots of fish for their main diet. Two smaller ones are in the sunset photo and the massive bay one is contained by a huge lava rock dam.
This shows the village main cove and barely visible on the right is the canoe hut.
A large green turtle. I was so focused on a bird I almost stepped on him. I was the only one on the beach at that point of the morning.
Kapu was a whole system of laws that governed life in Hawaii. Here it just means do not climb on the ancient wall.
This massive dam enclosed the largest fish pond.
Gorgeous soft breeze night. You can see two of the smaller fish ponds.