Humpback Whale Peduncle Arch
The peduncle arch is seen just before making a deeper descent. The whale will arch or hump back out of the water in order to breath and make a more vertical descent. This is often a sad thing to see when whale watching because they can stay down for a long time.
Eddie Aikau – The Legend
Eddie was a direct descendant of Kahuna Nui Hewahewa, the highest priest of Hawaii in the early 1800s. Hewahewa retired to Waimea Valley later that century, taking up the role of caretaker of Waimea Valley, from the mountains to the sea. One hundred years later, Aikau picked up the family torch as caretaker of the Bay – its first official lifeguard. Eddie Aikau had a relationship with Waimea that would become legendary – saving countless lives and surfing for up to eight hours at a time.
The big wave surfing event in memory of Eddie Aikau began in 1984 as a local tribute to one of Hawaii’s favorite surfing sons. This event gathers the most skillful and dynamic big-wave surfers from around the globe, and only takes place if wave heights are in excess of twenty feet. The universal appeal and strength of “The Eddie” is a testament to the human spirit it honors and that we all seek to connect with: a life lived with passion, dedicated with meaning, and exited from heroically.
Waimea was deemed to be the soul of big-wave riding. In the late 1980s, when contest officials were in the midst of deciding whether to run the event in huge waves they were asking the surfers if they wanted to go out and surf, and one surfer looked out and said, “Eddie would go.” The phrase spread throughout the world on bumper stickers, posters, caps, and T-shirts.
Clyde Aikau says, “Eddie had a great life and we’re thankful for that. As a family, we’re so proud and humbled that after so many years, so many people still recognize him for what he did, which was to give the ultimate give of his life to try and save others.” Eddie Would Go: The Story of Eddie Aikau, Hawaiian Hero
Hawaiian Birds and Laysan Albatross Starvation
Most marine pollution is litter that starts out on land. Trash is washed by rain into city storm drains and out into streams and rivers that lead to the ocean. From there, wind and currents carry our trash far out to sea. The amount of plastic floating in our oceans has grown dramatically over the last fifty years. Every little piece of plastic manufactured in the past 50 years that made it into the ocean is still out there somewhere. In the middle of the North Pacific Ocean, thousands of miles from the nearest populated city, litter is having a heavy cost.
In a perfect world (untainted by man) the Laysan Albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) diet would consist mainly of fish, fish eggs, and squid. Parents obtain food out at sea by surface feeding and then return to feed their chick by regurgitation. However, in our world and the “age of plastics” their food is often attached to floating debris and the chick will likely be fed bottle caps, toothbrushes, lighters, pens, and toys. The awful truth is that the large amount of plastic crowding the chick’s stomach leaves little room for food and liquid. Of 500,000 albatross chicks born each year on Midway Atoll, about 200,000 (or 40%) die of starvation or dehydration with their bellies full of plastic.
Eddie Aikau – The Hero
Following his win of the Duke Kahanamoku Invitational at Sunset Beach in the winter of 1977, Eddie’s focus shifted. The Hawaiian cultural renaissance was in full swing and Aikau was feeling the pull to go deeper into the roots of his Hawaiian heritage. The cultural connection Eddie was seeking came in the form of the Hokule’a, a traditional double-hull voyaging canoe that was the symbol of Hawaiian pride.
The Polynesian Voyaging Society was seeking volunteers for a 30-day, 2,500-mile journey to follow the ancient route of the Polynesian migration between the Hawaiian and Tahitian island chains. Eddie leapt at the chance to be part of the crew who would sail Hokule’a by traditional celestial navigation. The Hokule’a set sail on a stormy afternoon in March of 1978, in strong winds that were whipping up heavy seas.
Not far into the journey, Hokule’a developed a leak in one of her hulls and eventually capsized during the night in the Moloka’i Channel. The crew hung on and hoped for a quick rescue, but after weathering the night, and with the physical state of crewmembers deteriorating, Eddie volunteered to paddle for help on a surfboard to the Hawaiian island of Lana’i, estimated to be 19 miles away. It would be the final rescue attempt of his life. While the crew aboard Hokule’a were later spotted by a passing plane and rescued, Aikau was never seen again.
“There was a lot of blame going on that the captain was responsible and so forth,” Clyde Aikau said. “I want to make sure that the captain knows that no matter what he did that day, no matter what anybody in that group did that day, Eddie would have found a way to leave the Hokule’a and go get help. That’s just the kind of guy he was.”
Kauai History and Easter Island Ahu
The Easter Island statues were not carved by slaves or workers under duress, but by master craftsmen, highly honored for their skills. There are at least 360 ahu on the island, the largest of which are up to 200 feet long and 23 feet high. They are consistently constructed with a raised platform made of fitted stones and rubble, a ramp that is often paved with beach cobbles, and a leveled court in front. Image ahu (ones with statues) had from one to 15 statues standing on each platform. Statues were placed to look over a ceremonial area and village, with their backs to the sea.
The exact number of moai on Rapa Nui is unknown because many lie buried in piles of rubble or beneath the soil at the quarry, but estimates are from 800 to 1,000. Moai are found in nearly all localities around the island, with a greater number in proximity to the main quarry on the south coast. Practically all the statues were carved from this volcanic cone. The crater where they were fashioned is an extraordinary site filled with incomplete statues in all stages of carving. Great hollows in the cliffs mark places from which statues have been removed. More than 230 others were moved to various locations around the island and erected on platforms. Some lie broken and abandoned where they fell during transport, making Easter Island one of the world’s great archaeological sites.
Orchid Miltonia Care
Miltonia (pronounced mil-TOH-nee-ah) orchids look similar to pansies, and also similar to the Miltoniopsis orchid. The Miltonias originate from Brazil and are warm-growing orchids. They have two-leaved, flattened pseudobulbs which are widely separated by a long rhizome. The flowers range in colors from pure white with a colored center to dark purple with watercolor-like rippled centers.
Miltonia Light
Bright diffused light is necessary to bring this orchid into bloom. This can include a little sun for up to two hours a day, but not direct sunlight. If plants are receiving enough light the leaves will be light green. If the leaves appear slightly pink they are receiving the most sunlight they can tolerate.
Miltonia Temperature
They prefer warmer night temperatures not below 60 F. They will take temperatures over 80 F as long as humidity levels of 70 to 75 percent are maintained.
Miltonia Water
They grow throughout the entire year and must be kept evenly moist. In their native habitat, the plants are drenched almost daily, so drench the plant in the early morning and let them dry out before nightfall.
Miltonia Humidity
Humidity is important and must be at least 70 percent because of their need for abundant water.
Miltonia Feeding
Fertilize with balanced fertilizer at half-strength every two weeks to a month. This can be reduced by half during overcast weather or in winter. It’s important to flush with clear water once a month.
Miltonia Potting
Annual potting should be done after flowering when the new growth is starting. They tend to have a relatively elongated creeping habit and, therefore, do better mounted. Any potting mix suitable for fine roots is adequate.
