So, you like chocolate! Perhaps you have a particular preference for dark chocolate, semi-sweet, milk, or even white (which contains no chocolate at all). There is something decidedly decadent about dipping a bit of something into chocolate before letting it land on your tongue. Mmmmm.
This is nothing new. Long-standing chocolate-dipped items range from peanuts, peanut butter, and pretzels to strawberries, cherries, and blueberries. Other favorite fruits to dip include apricots, peaches, pears, raspberries, apple or pear wedges, grapes (fresh or dried), or kiwi slices. I can picture some of these quite nicely: chocolate-dipped caramel apples, melon chunks, or citrus peels. Citrus sections dipped in chocolate are popular from clementines and oranges to lemons and grapefruit. Try dipping dried apricots halfway in chocolate and then dip the chocolate end in chopped pistachios. Hello!
As in the photo, I became a fan of Stuffed Strawberry Blossoms years ago at a Manchester, NH restaurant called Spatts. They are Super Simple to make. Just slice whole berries ¾ of the way down and stuff with sweetened (or “spiked”) cream cheese. Then garnish each with a fresh blueberry and a bit of a mint leaf. (Once for my birthday, they served me an entire platter of these, rather than cake!)
Or pop some fresh pineapple spears or bananas on popsicle sticks, dip in chocolate and freeze. The same works for key lime pie wedges and slices of cheesecake. Dip a favorite popsicle and return it to the freezer… or just eat it.
The chocolate fountain carried these treasured treats to another level, bringing in platters of fresh fruits, bite-sized cake squares, and marshmallows. Shortbread cookies hit the classic side, with Oreos gaining in popularity. Other cookies worthy of dipping include gingerbread, animal crackers, sugar wafers, butter cookies, macaroons, graham crackers (think “smores), chocolate chip cookies, or even fortune cookies.
Thinking of sweet treats, consider dipping puff pastry twists, donuts, biscotti, and other pastry treats. While we’re at it, why not dip an entire cupcake… okay, a mini cupcake.
If you opt for the nuttier route, consider almonds, pecans, Brazil nuts, cashews, walnuts, or macadamia nuts. Make mini peanut butter sandwiches with mini pretzels or even Ritz crackers and dip half in chocolate, finished with a sprinkling of coarse sea salt. (Ohhhh, I’m giggling over how much I like that one!)
Many folks like chocolate-dipped salty snacks like potato chips or sweet potato chips. Also dipped (and/or drizzled) are goodies like popcorn, edamame, crispy Bugles, Fritos, or Cheetos.
Prefer something distinctly different? Go for coffee beans… or go straight out to weird, be it good or gross, with squid, worms, ants, scorpions, bumble bees, or crickets. Okay… NOT.
While we’re stepping “off the ranch” so to speak, chocolate-dipped bacon is a treasure, as is or sprinkled with chopped nuts. Some folks also go for chocolate-covered Slim Jims or beef jerky. Have you heard of chocolate-covered pickles or olives? Well, that’s a “thing.”
Not my thing, but there’s also demand in some areas for chocolate-dipped mushrooms, seaweed, raw onions, jalapeños, carrots, radishes, and even broccoli florets. (Now that’s about the farthest “out there” approach I have ever heard to entice someone to eat their vegetables.)
Back to thinking about sweet treats, consider dipping mints, caramel chews, marshmallow peeps, jellybeans, gummy bears, or spice drops.
Before my teeth fall out from just talking about sweet treats, I will hush. With that, she closed with a mere whisper, “Chocolate!”
P.S. For easy dipping chocolate that will harden up, melt ¾ – 1 c semi-sweet chocolate chips in a coconut oil-smeared microwave-safe bowl at 15-second increments for about 2 minutes, stirring between increments, until almost melted. Stir to finish the melting without adding extra heat. Dip your item and place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Ta-da!
KISS Tips: There are some amazing products on the market now, such as Better Than Bouillon. I like adding a T of their Lobster Better Than Bouillon to fish stew bases. Though completely non-traditional, I love this 2-3 slices of hearty, diced bacon, cooked before the leeks and onions. Oh, yeah!!! To prepare bouillabaisse the old-school way, divide your fish and seafood into warmed soup bowls and serve, ladling broth over the top of each bowl. (You can even start with a slice of your garlic bread in the base of the bowl.) Or serve the bowls with the broth in them and pass a platter with all the fish and seafood on it. Would you like to fancify this with some traditional, old-world flavor? After adding saffron to the base, heat ¼ c Pernod (anise-flavored French liqueur) briefly, ignite, and pour over the bouillabaisse.
Just returning home from a delightful, though brief 1-week visit with Mom. She is one dynamic person and classy lady. Never mind that she is active and healthy and vibrant at 92½ years young! As “President of my fan club,” she even booked a mini book promotion tour for me. I spoke at the Christmas meeting for the Palm Harbor district for the PEO, a philanthropic educational organization that raises college scholarship money for young women.
I also addressed an enthusiastic Men’s Breakfast Club meeting. Mom was my Plus One. We then held a book signing for residents at the large independent living complex where Mom lives. I feel most humbled that we sold out of both 
In addition to The Hall Sisters (from yesterday’s article), we enjoyed some other super-superb entertainment during the week, as well. Award-winning, Clearwater-based singer-songwriter Nick Dukas and his band got folks singing and smiling.
Do you know of a musical quartet known as The Hall Sisters from Garner, North Carolina? These extremely talented sisters have played everywhere from the Grand Old Opry to Carnegie Hall. Mom and I had the pleasure of watching them in a Christmas concert this week. Talent. Talent. Talent. Talent. And lots of love. Each is a talented musician, and their vocal harmonies are stunning. (My video is not at all, but I hope you get the idea.) You can get more information at TheHallSisters.com or on Facebook.
Life does not always seem fair… not even close. And yet, who are we to judge what is fair?
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”
This was followed by a true, once-in-a-lifetime experience. We watched the sunrise from atop the world’s largest dormant volcano on Maui. Haleakala boasts 10,000-plus feet above sea level, but a whopping 29,704 feet from base to summit, topping Kilimanjaro, McKinley, K2, and Everest with its 29,032 feet.
At one called Da Melting Pot, I knew I simply had to try to much-heralded Hawaiian shrimp, which is locally harvested shrimp grilled in a lemon garlic butter sauce… ummm… and yes, these are whole shrimp.
We observed and learned so many things from the wonderful local people we met. They taught us how they also valued us as visitors, not to be confused with tourists. (Yes, when we humans travel, we can earn a most distasteful reputation for tourist rudeness.) We also learned the honor of becoming what the Hawaiians call “ohana.” This means more than family. Ohana are those we recognize as family to us, regardless of bloodlines. No one gets left behind or forgotten. I thank all of YOU who have become my ohana. You are treasured more than you can possibly know.
s to fantabulous places on her island… including one of many places made famous in movies… Hanalei Bay.
And local vending machines garnered a second look, as they featured local items like banana bread and a wide variety of packaged dried fruit… from papaya and guava to mango and pineapple chunks.
We learned so much during this long-awaited and thrice-scheduled vacation. WWW stands for more here than World Wide Web. Instead, try Wind, Water, and Wings… this is how life came to live on the lava mountains that rose from the Pacific Ocean. At least 2400 miles from the continents, the Hawaiian Islands are an annual destination for migratory birds and whales.
The ancestors of Hawaii’s land animals and plants arrived by accident. Some were carried by storm winds, atop floating driftwood, or with migratory birds. Many evolved into the native plants and animals of the present day, most of which are found nowhere else in the world.
And we learned that rainforests and deserts can and do exist side by side. My meteorologist friends would say, “But, of course, Cathy” and then scientifically explain it all. On the windward side of Kaua’i, rainfall increases by 100 inches for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The trade winds trap warm air on the mountainside.
As the warm air cools, the moisture condenses and falls as rain. Kilauea Point… the northernmost one on Kaua’i with the lighthouse… receives only about 40” of rain each year, but at the top of the ridge of nearby Namolokama Mountain, just 8 miles away, over 400 inches of rain falls annually.
You’ve seen the pictures. The island of Kaua’i is just 550 sq miles. That is small. The state of New Hampshire has 8,953 square miles, and even Rhode Island has 1,214. So, to find several microclimates in just 550 square miles is extraordinary. Kauai is dry in the south and west, but so lush and green in the north that all firetrucks on Kauai are red to provide contrast with the green. Elsewhere in Hawaii, they are yellow, not red.
I loved a related story that our half-native guide Kana’e shared on Kauai. Where the Wailua River meets the Pacific Ocean has tremendous rip tides all the time. Too many people have been carried out to sea and lost here. One of those was almost Frank Sinatra. He was in Kauai’i, staying at the then-glamorous Cocoa Palms Resort, of course. An off-duty firefighter saw him being swept out to sea and jumped onto his surfboard, paddled out to the exhausted swimmer, and rescued him safely on his surfboard.
Hawai’i has also become Hollywood West. It is easy to see why the dramatic terrain of the Hawaiian Islands, especially Kaua’i plays backdrop to dozens of movies. Our jaws dropped upon seeing miles and miles of jagged lava cliffs, contrasting sharply with lush green valleys. To say that planet Earth is an amazing place is a gross understatement. Its molten interior can cast repeated volcanic eruptions, creating mountains that are so many thousands of feet high that they grow into islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean’s depths. And somehow, within these islands, burst a multitude of freshwater springs.
There are also hundreds of miles of trails in Hawai’i. Pick an island, any island. There are many dozens of trails from which to choose. Hikers report that Oahu has the best hiking trails, but for walking and biking, Kaua’i is tough to beat. One is Kapa’a’s paved multi-use trail called Ke Ala Hele Makalae. What had long served as the rail bed for sugarcane transportation for the McKee Plantation, is now a 7.3-mile paved trail from Lydgate Park to Ahihi Point on Kaua’i’s East Coast. Walk, jog, or bike here, enjoying great views, too.
Another bit of information I had not known is that Hawai’i governs its population of 1½ million differently than the other 49 states. Governing happens on two levels… State and County. There are just 4 counties in Hawai’i, and each has a mayor and council. Hawaii is the county name for what we call the Big Island. Honolulu is the county name for the island of Oahu, as well as the lesser northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Kaua’i is the county name for the northernmost islands. Maui is the county formed by the island of that name and smaller area islands, including Lana’i and Molokai. I should also note that in name there is a 5th county. Kalawao County is actually just the village of Kalawao on the island of Molokai, with a population of 82. Historically, this village was used as a leper colony, so they do have their own mayor. However, all services are handled as part of Maui County.
So long to lava rocks and lush vegetation growing on volcanic mountains.
I find it fitting that bronze sculptures of founders Ed and Joyce Doty now grace the Na’Aina Kai Botanical Gardens and Sculpture Park in an area where she often sketched out her ideas, as her husband would sit with her for hours, planning how he would make it all happen. Like these, many in this, the largest collection of full-size bronze sculptures in the United States, are one-of-a-kind works of art. Owner Joyce Doty personally selected each one and chose where they would reside in one of her many imaginative gardens.
The artist captured fun details, like a koala bear poking out of the kangaroo’s pouch and a bird perched on the turtle’s neck. There’s also a clever space where we humans can join hands with the critters and complete the circle. Naturally, I did not let that opportunity pass me by.
Surrounding a 16-foot sculpture of Jack and the Beanstalk are many entertaining items for young ones, and those who are young at heart…
I cannot possibly end my ramblings about visiting Kaua’i without taking you to the North Shore and delving into horticulture. For Ron and me, experiencing all this alongside my sister, Deborah, gave us wonderful insights and up-close, local experiences one can only get from someone who has lived there for more than two decades.
There were so many more wonders to see beyond the Hawaii state flower, which is the Yellow Hibiscus. Side Note: Since 1923, while Hawaii was still a U.S. territory, the official flower was the Red Hibiscus, which it carried forth into statehood in 1959. However, in 1988 Hawaiians voted to change the official flower to the Yellow Hibiscus, after it was discovered that the red one wasn’t native to Hawaii.
Of course, we also wove our way down to the water’s edge, where we stood in awe of the magnificent mountains of lava that now grow lush with tropical vegetation. Over millions of years, the steep edges have eroded away, creating large swaths of gorgeous beaches.
And, as everywhere else in Hawai’i, we saw the Nene Geese. These are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands; thus, they are found nowhere else. Fittingly, they became the official state bird of Hawai’i in 1957. (Side note: This is while Hawai’i was a U.S. territory, as Hawai’i did not become a state until 1959.)
We also learned about and saw the wedge-tailed shearwaters or ua’u kani, with their 3-foot wingspans. Their chicks hatch from a single egg in July & August. I did spy one chick in its burrow, likely preparing to fly. By November, after 103 – 115 days of being fed by their parents, they take their first flight out to sea. And they do not return to land for at least 3 years. In November, islanders turn off their outside lighting as the wedge-tailed shearwater birds are drawn to light.
One of the most famous North Shore residents is a 70-year-old albatross named Wisdom, who hatched yet another chick this year, fathered by her partner, Akeakamai, with whom she has been since 2012. The Albatross mates for life, but Wisdom has outlived her mates. The Laysan albatross typically lives for between 12 and 40 years.
For my sister, Deborah, Ron, and I, this proved to be a most educational day with exposure to art, beautiful flowers, and amazing trees. (I will focus on nature and its flowers and trees today, so if you are not into horticulture, stop reading here.)
With Mauna Loa on the Big Island erupting again for the first time since 1984, she has been long overdue. Volcanoes are interesting. Officially, there are 161 volcanoes that are considered “potentially active” in the U.S. 48 are in continuing eruption status. That means eruptions could be daily or weekly, but “continuing eruption status” means the volcano erupts at least every 3 months. So, as the world’s largest and most active volcano, she has been on “vacation” for a very long time.
One of the most influential voices in the 19th Century was born in Newport, New Hampshire in 1788. Sarah Josepha Hale was born to parents who believed in education for both boys and girls, so she was encouraged to study and then became a writer. After only 9 years of marriage, her husband passed away, leaving her with 5 children. Relying on poetry for income, she wrote the famous nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Hale moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where she became the editor of the leading women’s publication of the day, Godey’s Lady’s Book in 1837.
Our “room” turned out to be a large apartment with two king bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, a dining table for 8, a laundry, 3 wide-screen TVs, and a private lanai in the back.
The Hawaiians remain a highly spiritual people. In an earlier article, I mentioned seeing a prominent, double peak on the northern shore of Kaua’i as our ship approached the island. This is part of the Kalalea Mountain range near the town of Anahola.
As these mountains stretch toward the Pacific Ocean, one particular “spike” stands out. The wider one is Hokuyalele Peak, and the skinny spike is Mono Mt.
Leave it to cranberries to get two official days back-to-back. Because my cousin, Barbara Cote asked if I make our Grandmother Burnham’s Cranberry Orange Relish, I knew I needed to post a recipe today in celebration of all the marvelous meals that came out of Grammy’s loving kitchen. Sorry, because I do not know if this recipe is or is not a spin on the way she made the relish. I just know I always loved it! She likely prepared it with no recipe card at all!
Cranberries are easily one of my favorite fruits. I get caught popping these fresh, tart little berries into my mouth all Fall.
This is a day to be zany and do silly things as if we need a specified day. History is full of examples of human absurdity. For example, in 1913, when the U.S. postal service launched, children falling within shipping weight limits could be “mailed” cross-country for as little as 15 cents.
Because November is National Adoption Month, I thought you might enjoy a little adoption update. Back on June 10th, I posted about our friends Rick and Claire Johnson watching over two tiny, twin fawns that had been orphaned when their mom was struck by a vehicle on the road near our ranch. Keeping them safe from predators at night in a stall in our barn, but opening the door during the day, the struggle was on to help them stay alive while awaiting space with a wildlife rescue service. Thankfully, after just a couple of days, a doe in a herd of deer on the property appeared to have lost her own fawn, and she sniffed out the babies and chose to adopt them, nuzzling them to join the herd and slip into the woods.
In ancient times, a heiau was a place of royalty, yes… but also refuge. This was a pu’uhonua or place of refuge. In times of war or turmoil, if anyone in trouble could make it to the temple, they would be safe as long as they remained there.
Also at the State Park is the Lydgate Beach Park. A mighty undertow threatens swimmers at the mouth of the river and has carried many out to sea, including the Lydgate’s 2-year-old son. They wanted no other families to suffer their loss and had large lava boulders added around an enormous area by the beach, forming a natural, yet safe swimming and snorkeling area. The beach park was named in this family’s honor.
Nearby, my eye-opening cultural education continued. A large cluster of rocks featured a flat, square one in the front and center. Any princess or queen who was pregnant delivered her baby here in front of all to see, as they wanted the people to witness the birth of the next king or queen. Yes, they have medical centers now.
One phenomenon along the lava rock coast is something called blowholes. When large waves crash into the shore, the pressure pushes water straight up through a vertical lava tube hole, delivering a whale-like vertical blast of water. On Kauai’s south shore in the town of Koloa just after Po’ipu Beach, we visited a most spectacular one called the Spouting Horn. The surf crashing into the rocks forces the spout of water as high as 50 feet into the air, bringing smiles to all faces visiting this most highly photographed site.
This all acknowledged, the dramatic beauty of Waimea Canyon is staggering. Whether viewing from the various lookouts that are accessible by road or hiking the multitude of trails, its dramatic vibrancy remains unforgettable in all directions.
The weather was on our side. Only as we prepared to depart were the misty clouds forming down the side canyons. This happens daily by the trade winds picking up the warm ocean waters and getting caught up, forming clouds beside the high volcanic peaks.
Serving up a stark contrast is a crazy little town on the southwest shore. A small village now, Hanapepe used to huge and was known as Party Town from WWI to the 1950’s. Then it was filled with bars, brothels, and US military personnel. Then Kauai closed all the bars and brothers, and they were replaced by a dozen churches. Due to its Friday night “Art Walk” event, Hanapepe is now known as Art Town. Not through with this day’s Hawaiian adventures, our next stop was some shave ice at Jo Jo’s in Hanalei. (Naturally!)
We were then off to the Luau Kalamaku at the historic Kilohana Plantation. The sounding of the conch shell signaled the Imu Ceremony for the unearthing of the roasted pig.
This was followed by what was dubbed a “scrumptious buffet” of local Hawaiian specialties. In truth, the food was sadly mundane, especially after we have enjoyed so many delightful local dishes. (It even made the cruise ship buffet look gourmet.)
However, the music and choreography made up for it. Through music and dance, the professional cast relayed the legends and lore of the first Polynesians finding their way to the Hawaiian Islands.
Yikes! Who knew??!
I used to say that McDonald’s french fries were the no-contest best… crispy and perfect every time. However, that is no longer the case. No other spot has topped them, but consistency in the franchise world has simply vanished. You can now order a great favorite one day and get something quite unrelated the next time you order it, even from the exact same location.
KISS Notes: Add ½ c of chopped nuts, if you like. You can also replace all or part of the raisins with other dried fruit, such as cranberries, apricots, or cherries. These also freeze very well.
Everyone has their favorite guac, and this is your day to enjoy it your way. If you haven’t made it at home, give it a go!
I pause from my typical postings on this day for a brief look at Life as it has been affecting me over the past couple of months. Life. We are not in charge.
A Facebook posting of his from nearly one year ago served up a memorable slice of his philosophy. “Life is a puzzle. Solve it with the right pieces.”
Of the 13 distinct climates found on Earth, 11 are right here on the Big Island. No arctic glaciers nor desert sand dunes exist here, but you could ski in the morning and sit under a tropical palm tree on the beach in the afternoon. The population has grown from 185,000 to 200,000 since the Covid pandemic. That also drove home prices crazy, just as it did elsewhere. On the rainy side of the Big Island, the median home price in Hilo of $375K jumped to 600K. In Kona, a small home now runs between $800K and one million dollars. Eek.
Our second day on the Big Island was spent in Kona, on the west side of the island. We had a Zodiac Boat adventure. This was a rollicking excursion. Our inflatable Zodiac could handle 17 guests, but we had just 7. Perfect!
We cruised the Kona coastline for 17 miles to our snorkel site… a “no fishing” bay filled with superb coral and massive schools of colorful fish!!! It is amazing when Yellow Tangs, for example, are schooled together in such numbers that they boldly color the water… yellow in this case.
On the shore stands a statue in tribute to Captain Cook. This is the site where he had come ashore and initially thought to be a god. This is also where he died as the people no longer viewed him as a god. Further, and there are conflicting stories on this, he got upset about the people borrowing the long boat they had given to him. When he challenged them, they killed him. Or it is said that when he challenged them in his conversation with the King or Chief, Cook touched his arm, which is forbidden, so they killed him… OR stabbed him… or not…. He may have tried to swim back to his ship, but since he could not swim, he drowned. Regardless, they burned the flesh from his bones in the honoring method used for chiefs and kings… and then buried his bones in a secret place.
No mongoose can attack their nests and eggs here, so it is wise. The mongoose was brought to the Hawaiian Islands to rid them of rats. However, since mongoose like daylight, and rats are creatures of the night, all they got was more trouble. The mongoose love to dine on bird eggs, which is leading various species down the path to extinction. Fortunately for the island of Kauai, a mongoose bit the handler when he was bringing the crate from the boat. He was ticked off and threw the crate of mongoose into the ocean, drowning them all. Inadvertently, he thus protected the birds on that island.
You first scoop locally made vanilla, macadamia nut, or coconut ice cream into your bowl. Pile the shave ice on top. Then a favorite house-made syrup is generously poured over the ice, followed by a drizzle of Haupia. (This is basically a cream pudding made from freshly grated coconut, cornstarch, sugar, and water.) You can even dash fun bits on top… from chunks of fruit, like papaya or kiwi, or a sprinkle of fresh or roasted coconut flakes.
With the time it takes for volcanoes on the ocean’s floor to form new land, and with the fact that the earth’s plates are still moving, the islands’ ages differ. The eldest are the furthest west. Thus, Kaua’i is the oldest Hawaiian island at 5 million years old, followed by Oahu, which is between 3- and 4 million years old, then Moloki at 2 million, Maui at 1 million, and finally the youngest, which is The Big Island. At a mere 750,000 years old, The Big Island is still forming thanks to Kilauea. This pewing volcano has been erupting continuously since January 3, 1983.
“Fascinating” is how I describe standing on ground that we know will be gone with the next earthquake on the Big Island. So many fissures in the land are visible, it was rather disconcerting.
While Kilauea is still erupting, it is not the world’s largest volcano. That honor belongs to another volcano, also on the Big Island, which remains at an elevated threat level to erupt again. While Mauna Loa is Earth’s largest volcano, Mars can boast of having the largest one in the solar system. Scientists say it’s the size of New Mexico.
Check how big Haleakala is from base to summit. Though erosion has chopped off 2,000 feet, Haleakala still stands at 29,704 feet from base to summit. Yup. That’s BIG. She stands taller than Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341’), Mount McKinley (20,320’), and even Mount Everest (29,029’).
Even more interesting are some of the species endemic to Hawaii, meaning they are not only native, but they grow nowhere else on earth. One example is the Haleakala Silversword. Its Hawaiian name is ‘ahinahina (which is pronounced like ah-HEE-nah-HEE-nah. This literally translates to “white white,” as the Hawaiian language has no single word for “silver.” This plant grows at 7,500 feet up the mountain and only blooms once per year. They have a soft, hairy feel to them, like the spot just above a cat’s nose. My picture lacks the blossom, as they are done blooming by fall.
Another favorite, though hardly endemic to Hawaii, is a partridge-like bird we saw scurrying all about our vehicles and the edges of the crater. We learned it is the Chukar partridge, native to Eurasia. The upland game bird is from the pheasant family. So, go Hawaiian and have a Chukar in your pear tree for the 12 days of Christmas.
On our cruise, we got to enjoy 2 days docked at the Kahului Port on the island of Maui, known as The Valley Island. Cruising into the harbor, I could easily see how the warm moisture from the Pacific Ocean is captured on the windward side of the island by the giant volcanic mountains. Thus, a lovely tropical rain shower is likely in some places, while the other side of that mountain stays dry.
That’s how we spent our first day here. On one of Pacific Whales Eco-Adventures’ 65’ power catamarans out of Ma’alaea Harbor, we cruised 5 miles into the Pacific to Molokini, which is actually a steam release crater. It was formed during eruptions of the now dormant, great Haleakala volcano.
colorful fish and lots of bulbous coral live here. The coral is not too colorful, but it’s plentiful and healthy, along with black and red huge sea urchins and a couple of jellyfish.
And we watched out for sharks. We were there in late October, also dubbed as “Sharktober,” as they see so many sharks. Of the 40 shark species found around Hawaii, only about 10 are seen close to shore… including the hammerheads, various reef sharks, and tiger sharks. Great white sharks tend to only be seen between January and April when water temperatures drop below 75°F. We learned that when sharks die, their teeth become fossilized and turn black. If you buy white shark teeth, the shark was killed to get them. Eeek. Regardless, we were pleased to learn about sharks but not see any!
We did get to see the green sea turtles. We learned we must stay 10-15’ away from them as they are near-sighted, might not see us, and could accidentally bump into us. These sea turtles are important in Hawaiian culture, as many believe they are ancient ancestors.
I also got “the sighting of the day,” as I spied the pod of spotted dolphins swimming toward our boat. Local law prohibits the tours from letting us get into the water with dolphins, but these dolphins came to us, and a few folks were still in the water.