Couple weeks ago, I was invited to a field trip on a work day. It was perfect timing to take a break from office life. I visited three sites. The first was the Punaluu Fish Passage diversion modification. A diversion is when people take water from a stream for their own use – domestic, agriculture. Most often, a structure is build across one section of the stream where water is captured and conveyed to the user via pipes or small canal. The diversion at Punaluu Stream has been modified to facilitate passage of native fish. Water withdrawals are timed so that fishes don’t get trapped in the diversion structure. Pretty neat!
Lunch was delicious. It was jasmine rice with chicken, mushrooms, colorful bell peppers, and mangoes! Everything was fresh and organic. Dessert was haupia mochi with a hint of ginger.
I was most amazed with the drinks. The black one was hibiscus (freshly picked, dried, and boiled) tea with sugar. The yellow one was pineapple juice with black tea and lemon juice.
The second site was another fish passage project in the works. This was also the movie set for the TV series LOST. You can tell from the fake rock on top of the waterfall that was used to cover the set.
Even though the day was getting hotter and more humid, I was awestruck at the third site. I have seen pictures of the Heeia Wetlands and the fishpond, but the real thing looks amazing. The plan was to save the wetlands and preserve the Hawaiian tradition of taro growing and gathering.
Here is the first loi that was dug back in June of last year. Taro was farmed the traditional mound-style, which I think makes more sense and looks prettier too.
What a beautiful backdrop to the wetland. I cannot understand why some people would even suggest to replace this with golf courses and condominiums!
Off topic but here is a picture I took on one of my trips to east Maui. Mushrooms are fabulous little devils. They can kill you, yet they are soooo attractive…as with all evil things in life.
Lastly, the most majestic waterfall in Hawaii which I was so lucky to have seen – Kano Falls in Maui. Sorry, not open to the public but you get to see a picture of it :D This is a combination of three large and tall waterfalls.
