Brief Stop

Jun21

I didn’t think I was going to get any photos this weekend, but I managed to pay a short visit to the Kewalo Basin area.

Point Panic wave and bodysurfers with Manukai in the distance:

Persistence Lab next to Honua:

Modern sampan Nisei detail:

Away From Land

Nov27

My land-based existence proved to be a bit of a downer this past Saturday. It wasn’t the best way to end a busy week.

As usual, I sought solace at the harbor.

I left the house early (still dark) Sunday morning because a ship I wanted to see was supposed to leave at 0700.

“Here comes the sun, and I say it’s all right…”

Fresh air, calm sea, clear sky, quiet pier. How can one not feel at peace?

I even had a little friend to keep me company for a little while!

0700 came and went. No Seiyo Pioneer. Hm.

That’s okay. There was the tanker Hai Soon 39:

Since it was such a nice day and I wasn’t ready to head home, I went to Kewalo Basin.

I was sad to see that the old Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant had been reduced to a few piles of rubble:

I guess it was really showing its age, but still…

I still didn’t want to go home, so I asked if I could ride along on the pilot boat for the afternoon Matson job (Manoa arrival).

Needs a bit of rust-busting:

This trip was a bit special as Manoa was sporting a Christmas tree!

(Yes, she was carrying a shipment of trees.)

A closer look at the tree:

Mikioi at the bow:

Pi‘ilani:

Turning the ship:

I got to see Seiyo Pioneer after all:

Pi‘ilani at the stern with the crew on the ship waiting to lower the line:

Leaving the harbor behind:

Pilot ladder set up on the port side, taken from pilot boat Kawika with Captain Fikes Mauia at the wheel:

Mahalo to Captains Tom Heberle and Al Dorflinger. Special thanks to Captain Mauia for making the good shots possible and for the interesting conversation.

A side note—Captain Mauia also rescued this shearwater that he saw in the water in the harbor. It was unable to get airborne.

Good job!

ETA: Please see the graphic below from the Hawai‘i Wildlife Center for information about how you can help save downed seabirds.

Rain / Mission at Kewalo Basin

Jan15

The forecast for Saturday: Rain. At the harbor, it looked like a typical sunny day.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived at the pier was that a few things belonging to the ship had been returned:

The plywood cover for the fo’c’sle head is done:

Unhappy cockroach:

We started painting the plywood:

Unfortunately, the rain showed up after all. Bummer.

Since I was returning to the ship on Sunday to help work on the pumping system, I decided to call it a day

Earlier on, a friend had called and asked me if I would go on a recon mission at Kewalo Basin. It was a good opportunity to test out my new toy (camera).

Artwork on the Fisherman’s Wharf building. Old salt at the helm:

The mysterious Berth X:

Fishing boat charter sign:

Female star-eye parrotfish:

Catamaran:

Treasure Seeker returning to Kewalo Basin:

Gloomy skies:

Success…Sort Of

Nov4

I went back to the ship yesterday armed with the proper sized tool to remove the bolts from the bottom of the pump. It was a good thing I had poured some Liquid Wrench on them the day before, as they really didn’t want to come out. I was rather surprised at how long they were.

I had hoped that it was just debris causing the problem. When I took the plate off, there was very little dirt and only small flakes of rust (whether from the pump itself or the ship, who knows). The impeller was easy to turn and, from what I could see of it, looked like it was in decent condition.

So…I guess that leaves problems with the motor and/or the power cord, items which are beyond my ability to diagnose.

Disappointing.

Had a small bite to eat on the pier and watched Manukai arrive.

Namahoe passing by Manukai:

Manukai turning:

As it was a nice day, I decided to head over to Kewalo Basin.

The pirate boat people have a decent booth:

I went to have a look at Vida Mia. Quite sad. She may go the way of Kula Kai if no one takes an interest in her.

I continued on to Ala Moana Beach Park. I strolled slowly along the beach, enjoying the sights and sounds of people out having fun.

I found this funny bit of worn coral:

Glancing up, I saw a small flock of ruddy turnstones near the water. You have to be quick to get a photo before they run or fly away.

Just beyond that, interesting patterns in the sand produced by water from a beach shower running down to the sea:

If you look carefully, you can see bird footprints.

Crepuscular rays:

And a dramatic sunset:

Time to go!

Perks

Jul14

Aside from the opportunity to work on a one-of-a-kind, National Historic Landmark ship, there are some additional perks to slaving away on board FOC.

Big mahalo to Captain Ed Enos for giving the okay for one of the volunteers to ride out with him in the pilot boat yesterday morning. Also, thanks to Paul for being so gracious, as usual!

Early morning, with partial rainbow:

Tug of the day…Pacific Challenger taking the fuel barge Ne‘ena over to Pride of America:

Not the greatest photo (bad angle), but here’s Captain Enos getting ready to go aboard MELL Stamford:

Need to work on my action shots!

Anyway, while I’m thinking about it, a short aside. Mariana Express Lines Ltd. (MELL) is based in Singapore. It makes sense for the company to have a ship named “Stamford.” Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles is considered the “Father of Singapore.”

MELL Stamford at sea:

A visit to Kewalo Basin before returning to Honolulu Harbor.

Tiger 9 and shipyard buildings:

Treasure Seeker, the pirate-theme ship:

Matson cranes:

MELL Stamford in the harbor:

Rat guards:

Different view of one of the Horizon Lines cranes:

Bridge to Sand Island:

Also in port is Pacific Tracker:

More of her later.

The fun of zipping about on board Kawika came to an end and it was back to Pier 7.

B&W study of a wooden boat on the pier:

Yes, it does rain at the harbor.

Fortunately, the puddles evaporate quickly in the hot sun:

Part of the aft bulkhead of port tank #5 that was obscured by old wood shelving:

Aftpeak…still scary, but stable:

Birds need to go elsewhere to s(h)it:

Kaiyu Maru at Pier 8:

Kaiyu Maru’s colorful chafing gear:

Up on Aloha Tower for a different view.

Can’t see the bird poo at this distance:

Pacific Tracker again:

Detail of aft dome:

Rat guards and lots of line:

Whale bus!

Back to street level and more rat guards at Pacific Tracker’s bow:

Alien face?

Finally, something to add to my fish spotting list. A saddleback butterflyfish (with friends):

On to Kewalo Basin

Jun8

Back in April, I posted a photo of a faux pirate ship (Treasure Seeker) that my friend Brad from San Diego took. The ship was operating in the bay there, but he noted that the home port had been changed to Honolulu.

It’s now at Kewalo Basin!

They have a “Pirate Ship Adventures” banner up, but the ticket office isn’t set up yet.

On the other end of the spectrum, a view of Kaori and Musashi (seen last week from the other direction from the pilot boat):

Another sleek, sweet-looking sailing yacht, Imagine:

Yeah, I can only imagine sailing on something like that!

New art on the Fisherman’s Wharf restaurant building:

Woo!

Jun2

After a not-so-satisfying Friday, the weekend turned out so much better!

Despite the heat, it was a good day on FOC on Saturday. If you follow my ramblings on this blog, you know I’ve been feeling down as of late. It’s rather nice to be positive again.

In addition to the usual maintenance things, I chipped rust (something I haven’t done in a while) from the steel part of the deck:

I also did some much needed sweeping and cleaning of the area around some of the scuppers:

Yeah, a lot of muck!

It’s unfortunate that such a simple task (sweeping) is made so much harder by all the yards lying on the deck. 😦 Oh well, it is what it is.

After leaving the ship, I spoke to Paul about going out on the pilot boat again. A big mahalo to Captain Tom Heberle for allowing me to do so!

The historic Kaya Fishing Supply store, on the way from Aloha Tower to the pilot station at Pier 19:

It was an exhilarating ride out to Kauai—much farther and a bit rougher than before.

Paul at the helm of Kawika with the city in the distance:

A quick peek into Kewalo Basin:

Larry Ellison’s monster yacht Musashi and a very nice sailing yacht Kaori.

When Musashi was at Pier 9, I contemplated throwing a note attached to a monkey’s fist on board asking for money for FOC. (Mr. Ellison, if you come across this note, could we talk?)

Anyway, back to Kauai. In the harbor:

A quick visit to FOC:

Kauai turned around and heading backwards to the pier:

Tanker Atlantic Grace at Pier 51:

Day turns into night at Honolulu Harbor:

Today was a lazy day. I went to West Marine and Home Depot with a friend. I picked up some supplies for the ship. We got lunch and headed to Pier 7 to eat.

Atlantic Grace was leaving:

My friend spotted this collector urchin with a stick:

That was definitely different!

When I went aboard FOC to stow the stuff I had bought, I found a new bird gift:

It was probably dropped by a fairy tern. Due to the heat on the ship, it was dried out. I just hope this isn’t the start of a new trend.

Thanks again to Paul and Captain Heberle!

Holiday Ship Spotting

Feb18

Rather than spending my holiday sitting at home in front of the computer, I returned to the harbor.

The Coast Guard ships were looking very sharp, dressed with flags. Here’s USCGC Rush:

The usual barge traffic. Some boats on Ho‘omaka Hou:

USCGC Spar:

“O STAR” no more! The painters were busy painting on the rest of the letters (a bit crooked) in her name:

Tosakaien Maru rat guard:

Despite the blustery wind, it was a nice day, so I decided to go walking. Instead of one of my usual routes toward ‘Ewa, I went to Kaka‘ako Waterfront Park.

A different view of Mindoro Star. The painters were definitey busy:

Some kids were jumping into a fenced off drainage canal. Not a good idea. Who knows where the run-off is coming from!

Cranes left at the Ehime Maru memorial:

After basking for a while in the sun on top of one of the hills, I continued on to Kewalo Basin.

Did I mention it was (and still is) windy?

I was sad to discover that Kula Kai was gone. I looked around, but didn’t see her anywhere.

Her berth, next to the modern sampan Nisei, is now occupied by Betty H:

I hadn’t heard any news of her removal. A quick Google doesn’t turn up anything. She was in very poor shape, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they finally got rid of her.

Another vessel in sad shape is Vida Mia: