Photographs bring back memories. And they do so in so many ways. They bring back memories in the nostalgic sense of wanting to (or not so much) return to the location and experience it all over again. They bring back memories in the literal sense of recalling forgotten facts back into the accessible section of our brains. Looking at the first photograph I can see the drive up the hill, finding the 'Opaeka'a Falls viewpoint parking lot on the right, walking further up to see the falls in the distance, and then crossing the road to enjoy a beautiful view of the Wailua River and wondering whether the peak in the distance truly was the mysterious Mount Wai'ale'ale as the informational board claimed. How cool would it be to see the peak one day or even stand there while getting drenched by the always present rain!

Wailua RiverKauai, Hawaii

Wailua River and Mount Wai'ale'ale in the distance on the island of Kaua'i in the Hawaiian archipelago

Then while enjoying the views we noticed the roadside sign advertising the Kamokila Hawaiian Village and decided to visit without previously planning to do so. And with the help of the second image I remember the steep hill down, the shoes on the fence welcoming us, and some of the structures and overall look of the village emerges from some obscure and forgotten section of my mind. All of these shoes also qualify for my Lost Shoes collection of photographs, don't they?

Lost Shoes of KamokilaKauai, Hawaii

Lost Shoes on a Fence in Kamokila Hawaiian Village, Kauai, Hawai

As I was captioning these photos today prepping them up to go to their respective galleries on my web site I searched the internet to see what's out there now in 2023. These photographs are from 2016. Yes, it took me seven years to share them with you. Fortunately, we made the spur of the moment decision to visit the village back then. Unfortunately, we won't be able to do that again and it looks like nobody will. At least based on the 2022 news articles, the State of Hawaii had a reason to force the closure of the village after decades in operation. That reveals the next value of photographs. Not only do they bring memories back they also preserve them. They preserve them even for those that never had a chance to witness the photographs' content in person.

Table Set Up at KamokilaKauai, Hawaii

Table Set Up at Kamokila Hawaiian Village, Kauai, Hawaii

Unlike my usual more focused posts today's post has an interesting variety of photographs spread across three different galleries: Landscapes Faraway, Nature - Animals & Plants, and Travel Photography. In a way, that shows just the tip of the iceberg of what one can experience on this beautiful island.

Plumeria BloomsKauai, Hawaii

Plumeria Blooms, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii

I will always associate plumerias with Hawaii and with the Hawaiian leis but they are not native to Hawaii. They are endemic to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. They were brought to Hawaii by Dr. William Hillebrand in 1860 and thrived. Do you want your own plumeria tree? Try a cutting from the Maui Plumeria Gardens. Even with shipping from Hawaii it's not too pricey. I have just spent about half an hour reading about growing plumerias in pots and caring for them even in cold places and am incredibly tempted. In fact, this whole part is a note to self to easily reference in the next few days when I decide to go for it. The brief reading indicates they're easy to start from cuttings and easy to care for in a manner similar to succulents. But don't take my word for it, do your own reading. And don't blame me for buying one!

Stars over KoloaKuai, Hawaii

Stars over Koloa in Kauai, Hawaii

And for a happy ending of today's post I am sharing an end of a very beautiful day on Kauai. What a wonderful starry sky with a planetary cherry on top! What's left? Maybe ordering that plumeria, maybe booking a flight, or maybe just diving into the archives of photographs with a beverage in hand and some happy music in the speakers. Cheers to our happy places! ;-)

Enjoy the beauty that surrounds you! (#etbtsy)

Previously from Hawaii: The Beginning - Seaside Pinhole Photography - Tropical Clichés - Windy Drama of a Tropical Morning - Quite an Ad - Searching for Sun and Warmth - Not Your Sunrise Cliché - So Peaceful - Some Morning Drama - Farmland in the Canyon - Further up Waimea Canyon - At the Edge of Kalalau Valley - Tropical Sunrise - Tropical Sunset - The Photo at Your Back - Hawaiian Mix

Rainbow over Kalalau ValleyKauai, Hawaii Waimea Canyon, Deep & WideKauai, Hawaii Farm in the CanyonKauai, Hawaii

Lava Rocks at Waiohai BeachKauai, Hawaii The Start of a Beautiful Day at Secret Beach, Kauai, HawaiiKauai, Hawaii