1898 foto of Sufer with Diamond Head behind

Surfboard Rider Diamond Head, Hawaii in 1898

One of the first known images of a surfer. Missionaries who went to the island after Captain Cook's death in 1789 virtually stamped out all surfing in Hawaii because they thought it ungodly. But it survived.

Waikiki beaches closed

Waikiki beaches closed after 500,000 gallon sewage spill

The Associated Press
Published Tuesday, August 25, 2015 1:55AM EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, August 25, 2015 8:43AM EDT

HONOLULU - Heavy rains triggered a half-million gallon sewage spill near Hawaii's world-famous tourist district, prompting city officials Monday to close most of the beach fronting Waikiki.

Storm water flowed into the city's sewage system as a weather system linked to Tropical Storm Kilo dumped heavy rain on the islands.

The inundation overwhelmed the sewage system, causing 500,000 gallons of wastewater to spew from manholes, said Lori Kahikina, Honolulu's director of environmental services.

“Now's not the time to go swimming,” she told reporters. It could be a couple of days before the ocean is clear enough for people to enter, Kahikina estimated. She said it would likely take that long for water samples to be tested for safety.

Waikiki beaches closed after 500,000 gallon sewage spill

Adios Hawaii

Well the family decided to sell the place in Hawaii Kai and I'm pretty much settled in my little place on the West Coast of Mexico. Unless something unforseen happens my visits to Oahu have come to an end. I'll just leave you with this Kite surfing video off Diamond Head - one of my favorite ways to pass a few hours watching.