Hamakua Coast line

The Hāmākua coast is the windward coast of Northern Hawai'i and hence dominated by erosional cliffs that drop from a height to the ocean. This section of the coast is formed by the flanks of two dormant volcanoes: Mauna Kea and Kohala.

The smooth forms of the shield volcanoes that comprise its mass are interrupted by erosional valleys formed by streams coming from high up the mountain. Streams and cliffs dominate the landscape, which therefore has few and small beaches, but lush and verdant stream valleys.

Rainfall is extremely frequent due to the windward location, giving the entire coast the appearance of the land of green and waterfalls.

Kilauea Volcano extremely active

Kilauea Volcano is active at two locations. At the summit, low ash production and elevated sulfur dioxide emissions continued from the Halema`uma`u vent. Seismic tremor levels continued elevated to several times background levels. At the east rift eruption site, lava resumed nearly full flow from vents in the east rift zone through tubes into the ocean at the Waikupanaha and Ki ocean entries with some lava diverted into a few surface flows.



Above a Japanese family smiles for our tour guide in the background Halema'uma'u Crater Overlook

"Shaka"

Visitors pose for our tour guide giving the famous "shaka" sign.

Hawaiian locals use the shaka for various meanings, like "all right", "cool", "smooth", etc. Residents of states other than Hawaii who use the shaka may describe it as meaning "hang loose". It is also used to convey what locals in Hawai'i call the "Aloha Spirit," a gesture of friendship and understanding between the various ethnic cultures that reside within Hawai'i. It can also be used to signal a "hello", "goodbye", " 'till next time", "take care", "Alright!"

According to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, prevailing local lore credited the gesture to Kalili Hamana of Laie, who lost the three middle fingers of his right hand while working at the Kahuku Sugar Mill. Hamana was then shifted to guarding the sugar train, and his all-clear wave of thumb and pinkie is said to have evolved over the years into the "shaka".