December 19, 2008
A new invasive species?
Palm trees are a part of the background of life in Hawaii. They soar to their lofty heights along the ocean front, beside the highways and byways.
Some are grown for the sustenance they can provide while others are maintained for their sheer beauty. They are as much a part of our lives as the brilliant blue skies, the surging ocean and the magnificent green mountains. They are so ubiquitous that we sometimes forget to notice them.
This one caught my eye as I was driving down the highway. It sits a hundred yards or so off the road near a convenience store and an resale lot filled with baby strollers and bicycles. If I hadn’t looked right at it I’m not sure I would have noticed anything “off” about it.
I don’t think the designer’s intent was to fool anyone. It seems more likely that he wanted to make it blend in with our natural environment well enough to minimize the “eyesore factor” that so frequently spoils the landscape. I haven’t decided yet whether he succeeded, but I salute his cleverness. This new species of palm is a step in the right direction.
[tags]environment, Hawaii, palm trees, technology [/tags]
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December 20th, 2008 at 4:30 am, Jade Says:
I’ll have to try to get you a picture of the ones we have here in town. They’re laughable!
December 20th, 2008 at 7:39 am, Flo Says:
Ha!! I haven’t seen one of those yet. What the heck are they thinking???
December 20th, 2008 at 8:41 am, Julie Says:
We have those all over Las Vegas, and I rarely notice them anymore, so I guess it does “work” to blend in. Up towards the mountains they have ones that look like pine trees.
December 20th, 2008 at 4:24 pm, Muhd Imran Says:
Though it looked so gaudy and fake, I think it is rather a clever way to blend with the scenery.
I believe that is a disaster warning siren for the islanders. Cool.
December 23rd, 2008 at 9:20 am, Anele Says:
Is that a wind turbine? I read they were making those in the shape of palm trees. Interesting!