Waiakea Peninsula, Hilo, Hawaii
An aerial view of Hilo Bay, with Mauna Kea volcano in the background. The Waiakea Peninsula juts into the bay and is the site of Banyan Drive and Liliuokalani Park and Gardens, featured in the guide The Trees of Banyan Drive as well as the mystery Trees of Banyan Drive.
Rainbow Falls
Pictured is Rainbow Falls, on the Wailuku River, after a series of very rainy days. This was the scene of action in Bones of Paradise.
Charles Jay Hoff (1937-2005)
Charlie, the author's husband and the inspiration for Jay "Keoni" Charles. He is pictured here with the author in southern France.
Emma
Diana Evans was the inspiration for Emma in Bones of Paradise.
Rob and Alex
The author cooking with Mike Zamarripa (left) and Hamlet Baboumi (right), the inspirations for Alex and Rob in Bones of Paradise and Bones of Banyan Drive.
Cyd
Liz Ambrose was the inspiration for Cyd, the crime scene photographer, in Bones of Paradise and Bones of Banyan Drive.
Nicholas C. McDaniel (1986-2023)
Nick was the inspiration for the handsome and inexperienced young cop, Mick Daniel, in Bones of Paradise and Bones of Banyan Drive.
Nick was kind, dedicated, and experienced. He died in the line of duty in Post Falls, Idaho, where he had moved after thirteen years in the Hawaii County Police Department.
Nick's dog, Lucky
In Bones of Paradise, there are several dogs that are featured. Nick's dog, Lucky, was the inspiration for Barney, who is pictured here on the lawn of the house at Honolii.
Katie and Kelly
Carol Harris, Bob Hanley and Kathleen Katt in Liliuokalani Park and Gardens, next to Banyan Drive on the Waiakea Peninsula. Bob and Kat (center and right) are the inspirations for Kelly and Katie in Bones of Paradise and Bones of Banyan Drive.
Lundehund
It may seem fantastic but the Lundehund is a real breed of dog. It has prehensile toes which allow it to climb, and was bred for hunting birds that nest on cliffs.
Trees on Banyan Drive
In this photo are the trees of King George V (left), U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (right), and Cecil B. DeMille (foreground right).
The "Tsunami Clock"
This clock once stood on a busy street corner near the Waiakea Social Settlement. The clock's hands stopped at 1:04 a.m. when a 1960 tidal wave washed over the Waiakea Peninsula. It is maintained as a memorial to the sixty-one lives lost.
Bone in a banyan tree!