TROUTS
LATEST PHOTOS
January,
2004 – Issue #32
BOB
AND CAMILLE AT HOME ON MAUI
FLAT PANEL INSTALLATION
Bob wires together some new computer hardware
on the first day of the year. Notice Camille’s new 17″ flat panel monitor which
replaced her old cathode ray monitor. It takes up much less space on
the desk and is probably better for her health.
MEANWHILE…
Camille snacks on half of a
baked “ulu” or breadfruit. The taste and texture is
somewhere between roasted chestnuts, baked sweet potato and boiled taro.
POINSETTIAS
Bob started these in pots a couple of winters ago and they
continue to thrive and turn red at Christmas.
NOT AGAIN!
I suppose you can safely say that we are fixated on our
garbage. This is everything we generated in December – a total of 41
pounds. It was a bad month because the new computer components came
packed in styrofoam. Nevertheless, we still managed to recycle 91% by
weight (81% by volume.) It rained so much at the beginning of the
month that we were unable to lay it all out and take photos until January
4th.
This is the stuff that made it to the landfill – 3.5
pounds or 1.28 cubic feet.
AT HOME ON THE RANGE
Just another Tuesday doing what I do. Here I sit on
Dino who is busy kicking at flies on his belly. His tail is too short
to be effective and the fly spray only works for about 3 minutes. The
Piiholo is in the background and beyond that, West Maui. It was such a
clear day that you can see the cut of the Pali on West Maui.
Dino most likely lost his tail from eating
Hale Koa.
We learned about the effects on horses of this scrubby mesquite-like tree
while on Guam. They call it Tangan Tangan there. The US Navy
re-seeded Guam with this plant after the war had removed most of the
vegetation from that god-forsaken rock. It tastes really good to horses
but if they eat enough of it, the hairs in their tail drop out leaving
them with a tiny little fly swatter.
On the same day, I took a picture of the beef cattle
spread out along the road that leads down to the slaughterhouse.
This pretty tree is the native Koa (Acacia Koa) which has
all but disappeared from the Hawaiian Islands due to forest clearing for
agriculture, cattle grazing and feral pig activity. It has been
nicknamed Hawaiian Mahogany because it is considered by many woodworkers and
furniture makers to be one of the most beautiful, precious and rare tropical
hardwoods. When finished, the wood is highly lustrous, with beautiful
hues of gold, red, and brown.
A FREE RIDE TO MOLOKINI
Shaun and Pam arranged a free boat tour and snorkel for 6
of us aboard the Pride of Maui on January 18. It is plain to see that
Pamela is very much at home on the water. She ran a small boat tour
operation in Alaska before coming to Maui over a year ago. Shaun is wearing a Biodiesel
tee shirt that Pamela created which says, “Your Fries Give Me Gas”
and she has on one of her many wolf tee shirts.
Bob picked a nice seat on the top deck in front of the Captain’s
position.
This is Molokini with Haleakala in the background.
Looking in the other direction, we were able to see Lanai
in the distance.
We dropped anchor just inside the old crater and everyone
jumped in for a snorkel. Afterwards, Pamela scopes out the waters for
signs of whales. On the way back, the captain stopped the boat so we
could watch several Humpback whales frolic in front of us. It was
very exciting to see these immense animals swimming so fast towards each
other and then jumping out of the water, blowing bubbles and slapping the
surface with their flippers.
ALOHA!
Mike and Ronda were greeted warmly at the Kahului Airport
by us and by Ronda’s friend Lynn on January 26 leaving them with two sets of
flower leis. Bob snapped this photo while we all hung out beside baggage
carousel number 3. Ronda lived on Maui 20 years ago before the arrival
of an obscene number of big box stores. She lived in Makawao and
Napili and perhaps in a few other Maui towns.
Mike Did not come
empty-handed. He presented us with this large bottle of home made
wine.
SETTING OUT ON AN ADVENTURE
Mike and Ronda joined the
other guests at the rail to listen to Camille’s pre-ride orientation.
Using Dino, she explains what it means when he moves his ears in certain
ways.
Camille and Pukea lead the way
up the hill and through the gate.
FRESH AIR FIENDS
Ronda (second from the
left) and Mike joined hands in obvious enjoyment for the great outdoors and
each other’s company. They are both avid hikers. Mike
has hiked
twenty-six 14,000 foot Colorado peaks since moving there, thirteen of which
Ronda and he hiked together last summer.
Ronda on Diez and Mike atop
Grizz pose for a snapshot in front of our destination, the Pi’iholo cinder cone.
West Maui lies beyond.
Camille, after the ride with her buddy, Pukea.
HI HO
Hi ho – it’s off to work he
goes. On Thursday, January 29th, Bob flew to Oahu to learn the
Biodiesel manufacturing process. His little blue rental car sits in
the Oahu Biofuels lot, dwarfed by giant storage tanks.
This is the view of the Biodiesel plant with the Koolaus
in the background.
HOME AGAIN, HOME AGAIN
Bob waits at the Honolulu
International Airport for his mosquito-sized commuter plane courtesy
of Pacific Wings.