Miscellaneous: Snow, Speed Trap, Spooky Old House and Species (Endangered)

The problem with only posting every five weeks is that things accumulate.
First, a view from the Old Airport Park yesterday showing a good amount of snow on Mauna Loa, visible over the shoulder of Hualalai.

Second, an observation: Twice last week I drove out to Kealakehe Parkway in the morning. Both days there were three cars pulled over at the same time for speeding by HPD. Former Councilman Greenwell may be the entitled nutjob everyone thinks, but he was surely right about the speed trap between Makala and the Police Station/Transfer Station. It's a divided highway with no side streets, driveways, or pedestrians. The police get people there, either anticipating the increase in the speed limit from 35 to 45 too soon (going North), or reacting to the decrease from 45 to 35 too late (going South). Hard to see a public safety angle - it looks more like simple revenue enhancement.

Next, another photo of an old ranch house at about 5500' up the Palani Ranch state forest access road at the end of Kaloko Mauka Drive. I know I've posted pictures of this old place before, but I like its look.

Next, the stunning flower of the "critically endangered" kokia drynariodes, planted along the trail on Hao Street in Kaloko Mauka.

Finally, from Kaloko-Honokohau NHP, the indigenous (not endemic, apparently found elsewhere) 'Ulei or U'ulei, a member of the rose family, along with a fly from the same genus as the Hawaiian picture-wing flies, some of which (there are supposed to be 1000[!] species in Hawaii ) are endangered.