Aloha

Mokulua Islets

December = Kekemapa

What is the name of these two islets off the coast of Oahu?

Located less than one mile off the windward coast of Oahu, these two islands are commonly called "the Mokes" or the "Twin Islands". They are a part of the Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary and activities on them are strictly regulated by law.

Local surfers ride the waves on both sides of the larger island (on the left), and kayak tours to both are popular, though the smaller island (on the right) is off-limits to visitors.

Tropical Paradise

Kahili Falls, where waterfalls abound

November = Nowemapa

What is the name of these lush falls?

Also known as Five Sisters, these waterfalls are located on Kauai's southern slopes. They are fed by a nearby 5,100-foot mountain, the peak of which is thought to be the wettest spot on earth, receiving more than 460 inches of rainfall each year.

With rain like that, it's no wonder the setting of these waterfalls is so lush and green.

Hanauma Bay

Hanauma, literally curving bay, Oahu

October = Okakopa

What's the name of this "curving bay" on Oahu?

Located along the southeast coast of Oahu, this bay is home to 400 species of fish, including an abundance of parrotfish and Green sea turtles.

It is both a nature preserve and a marine life conservation district. The law forbids visitors from mistreating marine animals and touching or walking on the coral heads lying like huge rocks on the ocean floor.

Several TV shows and movies, including Magnum, P.I., Hawaii Five-O, and Blue Hawaii, have filmed scenes here, and, at one time, the bay was inundated with more than three million visitors a year. This overuse damaged the fragile marine ecosystem, leading state and local officials to take measures to limit access to the area. Today, about a million visitors still descend on the bay annually.

Calling All Surfers!

Honolua Bay