What is it? Where is it?

[MyManao]

With respect to MyManao's picture:

That is a good guess HOTPE!

I too an stuck on an exact location, but now I am wondering if it could it be on the "The Scenic Four-Mile Drive" off of Highway 19 at the start of the Hamakua coast drive?

That's a lot closer than Green Lake, but not as close as you were with Wailoa. The interesting thing is, I think some here, at least in earlier phases of their live's, actually drove by this spot on their way to and from home..

[TomK]

I suggest it's time MyManao shares the photo location so we can move on to the next one. I think we've all understood by now that it's not Green Lake.

[TomK]

btw.. I suspect that north of 90% of folks here know this pic's location.. some having been in the very spot it was taken several times.. that's why I originally said I thought it would be an easy one..

Well, how about Hot Springs in Puna? I really think it's time to tell us where it is. I suspect most here also don't care about "a Sietz Roundshot on Kodachrome film," that's ancient technology these days. Today, people can take panoramic shots on their cell phones without needing a rotating camera. Just be like a normal person and share the location.

[HiloJulie]

That's a lot closer than Green Lake, but not as close as you were with Wailoa. The interesting thing is, I think some here, at least in earlier phases of their live's, actually drove by this spot on their way to and from home..

I know I have been "all over the map" with this one, but could this location be near where a great big Banyan tree once stood and recently fell?

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

MyManao,
Does the location of your photo look the same now (or similar)  as it did when you took the photo?

[MyManao]

I know I have been "all over the map" with this one...

Wow, ok, this location is obviously harder to identify than I suspected it would be. Although I selected this pic because it has no landmarks that flat out give it away, I expected it to be easier to recognize than it has been..

The first clue I offered, that the camera was set up on a tripod on a county road, was given from the get go because I suspect even though it is a legally codified and mapped County of Hawaii roadway most folks don’t realize it. So it was sort of a diversion, and still a legitimate clue. 

The next, that almost everyone here has stood, or driven through, that spot is straight forward. You all have been there. You’ve taken day hikes there, and more than likely shared experiences there with visiting friends and family. Maybe even taken pictures of this very spot yourselves. 

The other point, that some have actually gone past this spot daily going to and from their residency is based on other discussions here throughout the years.

So, here, I’ll offer another clue before you all throw up your hands and cry uncle: On the Hawaiian Kingdom maps made in the later half of the 1800s this spot is called Napoopoo. It is not the name that most, other than those in the Hawaiian community that are educated to their own history and sense of place, use today. But it was, officially, that during the time of the monarchy. And no, it is not the same Napoopoo as that on the Kona side.

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Does the location of your photo look the same now (or similar)  as it did when you took the photo?

Yes. Though of course one can't speak to each branch or blade of grass.. but for the most part it is just as you see it here.

[HiloJulie]

I’ll offer another clue before you all throw up your hands and cry uncle 

Only the weak cry uncle!

This (hopefully) HAS to be in the Waipio Valley, perhaps near the Hiilawe stream and Wailoa stream meet, off of Waipio Valley Road?

[punikahakaiferret]

Since I haven't played along lately, I'll guess either Kolekole Stream at the beach park, or Hakalau Stream at the beach park?

[MyManao]

This (hopefully) HAS to be in the Waipio Valley, perhaps near the Hiilawe stream and Wailoa stream meet, off of Waipio Valley Road?

Ok, I guess we could say close enough for horseshoes works for what and where, right?

Bingo!

Yes, Hiilawe Stream, but instead of some obscure over there where.. it’s as I said right there where the county road crosses the stream. My tripod was set up on the road side of the rocks so as to place the lens low enough to get the perspective over the rocks that makes the water itself as it is seen in the image. Google maps doesn't have street view there but this spot, looking at the stream crossing looks at the point I was in when shooting.

I was shooting mauka from there. And, btw, in the Kingdom's time there were four distinct districts, clusters of homes etc., in Waipio. Each with their own place name. The most popular, or I should say the one with the densest cluster of homes and farms etc., as mapped at the time, was called Keone, and was across the valley, and more makai, on the Hawi side, which suggests far more commerce with the other valleys, rather than being Honokaa centric as it is today.

[HiloJulie]

It was your last hint of "On the Hawaiian Kingdom maps made in the later half of the 1800s this spot is called Napoopoo" that triggered the flood of somewhat forgotten memories of my first of only two visits to Waipio Valley back when the year started with 19!