Wednesday, January 15th, 1997 - Today was the day!

For months I have been trying to figure out how to take a VR of this park, this place, these trees, this tree. I have come by here several times a week on my way to or from town... Today the inspiration came and the shoot location revealed itself to me.

This special place is in Nu`uanu near Queen Emma's Summer Palace. I have always had a special place in my heart for this place. Being here is all it takes...something special takes over your heart and offers you peace and serenity, even in a hectic, modern world.

I remember I literally cried the day after a big storm knocked over the roadside cousin of this particular tree about 8 years ago. Valiant efforts were made by all kinds of people to save that other tree. It was righted and replanted but, slowly gave way to another calling. It's stump remains however and has become home to several types of flowering plants and vines.

Hawaiian Royalty walked under this tree, and lived in the valley. Uncles and Aunties and Mothers and Fathers have brought their young ones here to play for many many years.

The trees in this park are huge and are all several hundred years old. Today the park was filled with keikis from a school on a field trip. I came in just after lunch and the sun was high and the grass and trees were bright green and all was right with the world.

Working people from all walks of life stop briefly in here each day for a moment away from the madness as if drawn by some lingering spirits who offer this place as a majestic respite.

This VR was shot under the canopy of the largest tree. You'll see the Temple nearby, the little rest room building, the basketball courts, the tree, the kids at the picnic tables, the parking lot and across the street the Boys Scouts of America Headquarters (big house set back).

Queen Emma's Trees are a must-see on any visit to Hawai`i because just like the trees at Moanalua Gardens, these trees have been here for several generations. Imagine the stories they could tell....

Some of our digital imaging equipment graciously provided by our good friends at 3Com.