What is it? Where is it?

[TomK]

"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."

Seriously?

"clue.. the camera was set up on a county road..."

"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.."

"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."

"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.."

Not once did I drive by this place on my way to or from my residency and until now have never heard about the location -- from anyone. Unless most of the population in Puna had a house in Waipeo, they probably never drove by it either. YMMV.

[Obie]

I have never been past the lookout out of respect for the Hawaiian culture and the people who live down there.

[Chas]

Me either. Kind of like not going to the beach parks on weekends.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

For those of us who have never been to Waipio Valley, aren’t you glad you saw a picture of a place you haven’t visited before?  Right in our own figurative backyard? 

When I first posted this thread I thought it might be a way to discover some hidden gems, even for those of us who have lived here many years. 

When King Solomon said "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity” he certainly and unfortunately lacked a high speed internet connection.  If he did he might have read this thread and discovered, Lord God in heaven above, there is something new under the sun!

[HiloJulie]

Couldn't agree with you more HOTPE! I hope this thread can continue, but to be honest, while I am not too good at finding hidden gems to share, I do love the guessing! Especially if they are pictures on Kodachrome taken with cameras you need a small hand truck to haul around, or etched on stone tablets, or satellite views or or ultra hi definition digital - share what you guys got!

There is truly not a day my husband and I have been here on this Island that does not generate some form of amazement to me. And as I type this, less than 25 miles from where I sit, Kilauea of starting to flow again.

So lets not let the obtuse rain on this thread!

[TomK]

For those of us who have never been to Waipio Valley, aren’t you glad you saw a picture of a place you haven’t visited before?  Right in our own figurative backyard?  

I've certainly visited, but it's hardly a place people living in Puna would have seen or visited before. Anyway, just to keep things going, this is from a number of years ago. I'm not sure I even know the answer. All I know is I took the snapshot.

[kalianna]

i purposely didn't venture a guess on the Waipio location because I also thought it was readily identifiable.
No place else has that same shade of green. Not to mention the clue that the stream crosses a county road. The road doesn't go over it, it goes through it. You want go? You go through. And it gets hairy sometimes. There is a shuttle tour that will take you down and keep you from straying onto people's property. The tour operators are in good standing with residents as a way to control traffic and trespassers. Some friends told me that before the road was closed, some tourists walked in and asked to pick oranges-- while my friend was sitting on her composting toilet in a lovely little lou on her gated property.

[MyManao]

Obie: I have never been past the lookout out of respect for the Hawaiian culture and the people who live down there.

My family, who first moved into Waipio in the ‘70s, and is now a part of one local family’s mo’okū’auhau, tells a different story. We embraced, and have been embraced by our host’s culture. And now, a lifetime later, all I can say is mine has been an enriched life. One I feel blessed to have lived and am grateful my children have grown kin to their’s.

As to pics that may puzzle some and intrigue others I have one I would post associated with the telescopes on MK, but will only if TomK recuses himself. Because for him, I have to assume, it would be immediately obvious. But if he does it may be fun. Let me know.

[TomK]

Sure, I'll recuse myself. In the meantime, if anyone recognizes the gas station, please post.

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

if anyone recognizes the gas station

Photo from post # 116.

My first thought was Pahoa or Orchidland, but given the low traffic on the road I’m going to go with Orchidland Wikiwiki, or whatever it’s called now. Retro gas prices! Do you remember what caught your attention, why you took the photo?