Rare Air Episode 31

In 2018, a trip to The Big Island, Hawaii, introduced us and our kids to some spectacular scenery. Looking out across the island’s barren lava fields makes one rethink life itself, and its living flora and creatures automatically stretch our imaginations in exciting new directions, too. It all points the way to something more than the eye can see.

In this and the next few episodes of Rare Air, the footage you’ll see presents the Kolekole Stream, home to the world famous ‘o’opu ‘alamo’o species of goby fish. Episode 31 is set at Akaka Falls, above which the ‘o’opu begins its life.

After hatching, it is carried down the falls and several miles on down stream, eventually winding up in the ocean. A few months later, each survivor reverses course… leading all the way back upstream, and ultimately, up a 442-foot ascent to the top of the waterfall, and a triumphal return to its birthplace.

The water pouring down with so much velocity and force is only part of what’s happening here. Try opening your mind to comprehend the struggle of a willful creature, silently scaling this full height against gravity and staggering hydro-power. To me, this is nature at its best, demonstrating pure magic and nudging us on into the mystic.

Hawaii Big Island, July, 2018
. December 2018 desktop calendar: Slideshow featuring select photos from our trip
. Rare Air Episode 30, Part 1: Trip overview; video from Puako on 7/28/18
. February 2019 desktop calendar: Waipi’o Valley Lookout
. Rare Air Episode 31, Part 2: You are here
. April 2019 desktop calendar: Kolekole Stream Bridge from Old Mamalahoa Highway
. Rare Air Episode 32, Part 3: Video from 7/25/18 at Kolekole Stream Bridge
. June 2019 desktop calendar: Kolekole Beach Park
. Rare Air Episode 33, Part 4: Ka’ahakini/Kolekole Streams
. August 2019 desktop calendar: Kolekole Beach Park
. Rare Air Episode 34, Part 5: Kolekole Beach
. October 2019 desktop calendar: Undersea in Puako Bay
. Rare Air Episode 35, Part 6: Video from Puako Bay on 7/28/18