Winter Views on Oahu, Honolulu County, Hawaii
On January 3rd, 2009 we headed over to my Auntie's condo in Yacht Harbor Towers right off Ala Moana Boulevard in Honolulu, Hawaii. Needless to say, her condo overlooks the Ala Wai Yacht Harbor and Ala Moana Beach and park. Right past the harbor is Magic Island, a small peninsula known for their parks where many have their family gatherings and also watch the fireworks over the ocean on New Years and July 4th. If you look closely...right in the middle of the picture right past the boats are the outrigger canoe paddlers training on this Saturday morning.
The winter months no doubt bring on our rainy season (but just FYI last week there was snow on the top of Maunakea on the island of Hawaii aka Big Island) Cool trade winds caught my hair when we entered the hall lanai leading to my aunts condo. The view on the back side of Yacht Harbor Towers was just so spectacular with the mountains catching a few of the low forming clouds to produce a light mist.
On New Years Day 2009 we took a drive to the National Memorial Cemetary of the Pacific - Hill of Sacrifice and when going up mountains you can bet you will definitely need to bundle up for cool but strong winds. The inscription in the front reads, "THIS MEMORIAL HAS BEEN ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IN PROUD AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF HER SOLDIERS, SAILORS, MARINES AND AIRMEN WHO LAID DOWN THEIR LIVES IN ALL QUARTERS OF THE EARTH THAT OTHER PEOPLES MIGHT BE FREED FROM OPPRESSION".
The winter swells on the North Shore of Oahu brings surfers from all over the world. Our KGMB 9 weatherman is an avid surfer so of course he has all the latest up to date info for surf. You can check out some other pictures at the start of surf season here: The Winter Surf on the North Shore of Oahu (Picture Perfect) FYI: Our winter starts when it gets a little cooler and the surf swells on the North Shore are in action lol!
You know when it's changing seasons here as mist settles above rippling water to give the sense of cooler winds struggling with cooling off the large vast area of ocean. Kaneohe Bay Drive is picture perfect with waterfront homes lining the street close to waters edge. Palm trees dance in the wind and sailboats glide across the glassy ocean in the bay to give a sense of being calm. Relaxing.
The Ko'olau Mountain Range is a sight to behold and is not a "normal" mountain range. The western half that is seen is what is left of the Ko'olau Volcano that was destroyed in Prehistoric times when the eastern half and much of the summit caldera (feature formed during volcanic activity) slid into the Pacific Ocean. This view was taken right outside of Kaneohe town and only depicts a fraction of the length of the mountain range.
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Needless to say, seasons change but not as you may know it. The cold drastic weather does not appear on this side of the world across the Pacific Ocean in the Hawaiian Islands. Home has always been where we make it and though seasons in the Continental United States have the 'changing' of seasons along with weather conditions to go with it.......we have our own as well. The severity of our weather in "WINTER" entails tropical storms galore with rains that nourish our land.
Aloha from the 50th State!
© 2009 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman, All rights reserved
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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Sally you need to take advantage of the snow on top of that mountain. So go get your surf board and see how well it does on snow ........... LOL
Sally,
Your photos are outstanding. I believe all areas have their beauty--some are just easier to see than others.
George: Haha..no thanks..been in snow... I'll stay cool...not hot...not cold.....cool :) :) No surfboard either....I have no balance at my age...weak knees ya know lol!
Cynthia: Exactly! Though some associate winter with snow...I have no choice...it's rain here LOL
Sally - you have gotten to be quite the photographer. These are spectatular. Makes me want to visit Hawaii again soon.
Jeff
These are incredible! I love this! You really make me want to get on a plane. Seriously! :-)
Aloha Sally! It is pouring rain right now.....these photos are mighty tempting. Winter in Hawaii sounds like a lovely idea to me.
Jeff: Thanks Jeff...out of a couple hundred on a couple of days I get a couple that turn out grand :) Come see us again!
CTS: Great...then I get to meet you too!
Ann: We had rain a couple hours ago...now it stopped and sun peekimg through the clouds.
It has to be time for another vacation......:)
Incredible photos -- you are so talented. After all the snow and ice -- I am ready to move! (lol) at least until spring!
Hi Sally,
Winter in Hawaii sounds so cold...or not, its snowing here right now I needed to see these beautiful pictures! :)
Hi Sally - eye candy for sure, as I've mentioned many times about your glorious pictures. These are beautiful as well.
Ann
Sally - Now that is the kind of winter I am talking about!!! Sweeeeeeet. ~Rita
Kathy: Good...waiting to see you again. :)
Joan: It's all in the camera...got a new canon for christmas
Love the views of your neck of the woods! I will have to come visit sometime.
Suzanne: Ha! It's now POURING down rain! Weather man was right!
Thanks Ann: Different 'winter' to experience but seasonal it is :)
Rita: Me too! lol!
Lizette: Hope you do....we'll have coffee :)
You have the most incredible views... and waves too! I'm always jealous of the photos you share with us. You need to visit Florida. The flattest state with the flattest waves. LOL
Great views and photos. As Lisa said above...come to Florida. It was only 75 degrees today!
Sally, Those aren't pictures, they're postcards--have you considered adding to your line of work? Just beautiful!
Sally, beautiful eye candy for the contest! I really enjoyed them!
Rub it in. Winter is Hawaii, huh? We are knee deep in snow and I couldn't get up my driveway. Yikes. Oh well.........this too shall pass.
Oh Sally, your winter views look so much warmer than mine. We're having a winter snow storm over here....
Woo HOO, WOW, those photos are just beautiful. One thing- I had never even thought about the seasons change there. How cold did you say? Wonderful commenting here, it seems like forever since I commented on your posts. Did my MAC lesson today-it was interesting and What I learned I remembered and it actually worked to fix one of the problems.
I still say, you could be working for the Tourism Dept, You make visiting on line just like being there!
WOW - have they asked you to take over the tourist department yet?
Lisa: These are the small ones....there were up to 25-30 ft ones!
Gary: Ah...sounds like us. I think the lowest it got at night was around 65 :)
Carole: Sure makes for nice additions to blogs huh?
Thanks Sharon!
Missy: You'd be all sick having the same seasons all year LOL.
Lola: Bundle up!
Okay Sally! With this post you make me want to say, "Sign me up!" I have never been to Hawaii in the winter - just the fall. Rain then too, but it was warm and didn't dampen our great time!
William: We will be making our first smoothies as soon as I get my behind off here. :):) Thanks so much for thinking of us! And thanks for the compliments. Gary & I play tourists and run around taking pictures of everything and anything. Renewed interests for Sally's blogs lol.
Joan: You would think they'd be proud of me :) :)
Terrific photos!! I have to get me to Hawaii!!
Susan: WooHoo....join in! I tell you what...I love spring the best. Cool and sunny!
Thanks Tony...can you swim? LOL.
Sally, Those are awesome photos and you are a terrific tour guide!
Sally, these are just beautiful. Do you ever just get use to seeing all this beauty or does it still stop you in your tracks? Wow. Thank you.
Deb
Yeah it looks so cold there.....looking for the snow...I guess that's the best looking winter just like my area. We are a balmy 80 degrees here.
Morning Sally,
Thanks for taking the time to post these wonderful pictures. They always make starting my day a little brighter.
Sally - thank you for sharing more of your fantastic photos with us!!!
WOOOOHOOO!
Sally~
I loved this series...especially the very last photo of the mountains...such majesty..and that you captured that in your photo! THX!!!
Sally--Do you do this on purpose to entice us frozen people into a trip to Hawaii? Your photos cannot do anything but help Hawaiian tourism...Lovely photos of winter! :)
Sally... always love your pictures. In regards to the canoe paddlers, are they in the orange/yellow canoes?
In regards to Teri's comment.... it's only 32 degrees where I am at... it's cold. I love cold and warm. But I only really love it when it's cold when there is a lot of snow...
Ginger: Thanks! I do believe you all walk along side me through my adventures :)
Deb: It still does stop me in my tracks. IN fact, before blogging and writing about the pictures I used to take it all forgranted. Renewed visions :)
Neal: Sure is ...brrr...lol.
Hal Thanks Hal...I'm sure it makes everyones day a little brighter. I love great photos myself :)
Barbara: you're so welcome.
janeAnne: Woohoo back at youuuu :) wonderful...you're mighty welcome!
Teri: Good tactic don't ya think :) I hope it helps everyone moving here as well!
Jeff: You mean you caught that? I had enough snow in N. Dakota, Plattsburgh, NY and the rest of the states traveling through. I don't really like the car doing donuts by themselves lol!
Hi Sally, I just wanted to drop by and see what was happening in your part of the world and as usual, you do not disappoint. Incredible pictures of the beautiful place where you have the blessing to live!
Hi Sally I have probably already mentioned this to you but you are SO LUCKY to live where you do! It is just beautiful.
Sally,
You're really good at this picture taking stuff!!! Thanks, Fran
Sally - beautiful photos and good luck with the contest. Your photos really give you the feel of winter in Hawaii. Great post and presentation!
Thanks much Russell!
Yes I am Bill!
Fran: Thanks Fran
Thanks Sharon!
Have a good day people!
Sally, These are ALL breathtaking photos! I love that surfer and the sailboat! Good luck in the contest....you have done a superb job!
Debbie
Thanks Debbie!
Sally, Your photos I bet go unrivaled. Absolutely gorgeous, I hope I can make it to Hawaii some day.
Sally - While we are tropical and have the water, those photos you constantly post really make me want to come out there!!!!! My boyfriend is a surfer, so who knows................
WOW, Sallly- Love what you have shared with all of us. I feel like I know you.
The open house information/advice is awesome.
Thanks!!!!
PS I love Hawaii, hopefully, we'll get back there soon.