A View Of The West Side - The first time I took the mountain road into Waimea I was blown away. My first thought was, where am I? This overlook is something special, the view coming down the mountain during any kind of weather can incapsulate an image of various weather patterns alongside sights that can seem almost surreal. On this occasion, driving up the mountain, yet looking out, I saw this view and before I could let it get away from us, I made a point to stop the car and capture what I felt like was a color explosion right before my eyes. It appeared as an impossible color pallet of warm orange vog hues from the west meets cool blue tones from the east melting together within the grassy green in the foreground . It left me in not a double but triple-take mode, rubbing my eyes-is this for real? What an epic closure to an already special day.
Drifting Wood - Kaiwi found along the west side of Hawaii, especially that of which meets the ocean, fades and becomes distressed. It creates a ghostly weathered look that feels rustic and contrasts to the tropical hues that surround it. To me, this out of place beauty draws me in. It also becomes a joy to showcase the texture and detail in the curvature and contours of its shape. I have photographed this drifting Kaiwi several times, at different times of day and year, along with varying angles to provide an added perspective. With the changing tides and winter swells that frequently visit this bay, its positioning changes or at least the rocks and sand do. Either way, every visit is filled with new possibilities to create.
Kona Sea Falls - Along the Kona Coastline, where the lava rock meets the ocean, there are countless dramatic views. I am drawn to the movement of water, and the dramatic free fall of what looks like a coastline waterfall. With each growing set and pounding wave washing over these coastal lava tubes then pulling from its energy to regenerate the same force and power repeating until the set dies off. This act of nature is one to be respected with mindfulness of rogue waves and slippery steps. It is a joy and an honor to be able to capture these moments and bring home the peace within the chaos of it all.
Sinking Sun, Rising Fin - To my family, this spot is called Shark Fin, as the uncanny rock profile boldly states. And after a long day of errand running this spot is great to catch the sunset. Tide pools and new discoveries can be found around every corner and there is something for everyone. This specific evening there happened to be a lingering of VOG in the air, creating the hues that made the night sky and reflective sea permeate shades of pink.
Platform To The Water's Edge - This spot is another favorite of mine. There is something that draws me near, and even though I do not like to live life on the edge, it is this platform that produces opportunities of all kind. With a surging force that washes up and sometimes over the extended walkway, this platform can feel like an island of minimal security. And yet there is the dedicated fisherman casting his line in waiting, embracing the controlled chaos though the world around him may be caving in, trust and having faith knowing safety exists right where you are. Embracing the incoming breakers and marveling at its power and grace suspends time for a perfect moment worthy of capture.
An Edge Of Existence - Sunset along the Kona Coast is hard to beat. The lighting and the colors can make every sunset seem surreal. Considering I live on the north side of the island where we are surrounded by wind blocker (ironwood trees), our sunsets are the painting of colors in the sky. For this evening shot, I was fortunate enough to be on the Kona coastline at sunset, and better still, able to shoot before heading home. The water movement was fluid, wave size was moderate and the draining tide was perfect. Moments like these are special to me, being present, yet free to create, to slow down, and have the freedom to take in and translate the beauty that surrounds me.
Tropical Dream - Some discoveries can be found by word of mouth whispered from friends- how and where to explore your big backyard. Sometimes it's a perspective you can only imagine in your dreams. It would need to be discovered to become a reality. And it was this hike that led me to an outpour of anticipation, a longing to see this waterfall with my own two eyes and to capture its beauty head on. It was a sweet treat to find this local spot and a joy to shoot this tropical dream of mine.
Earth And Sea Collide - Finding new ways to put momentum into each still is a challenge I embrace wholeheartedly. The ocean meeting land in every dramatic fashion is particularly something I seek out. This one came from a series of shots I took, pleasantly placed out of harms way, while watching set after set pummel these rocks - the spray, the residual dripping, and the cascading of water returning to the sea was visually tantalizing.
A Mostly Firm Foundation - The contours of each beach can shift and change with building swells and pounding surf. From sandy beaches to rocky shores, and a blend of everything in-between, this island has it all. The contrast here from dark, almost black sand to the trails of white wash receding back to the sea, was another natural phenomenon I longed to capture. Using the rock on a sandy shore as an anchor and focal point to drag these contrasts through the frame.
Sea Arch At Golden Hour - Sea Arches are another feature I seek out along the coast of this beautiful island. They exist, sometimes easy to find but in most cases, a real journey. Point of view is possibly the hardest element to capture due to limited real estate. Sometimes I get lucky, like having decent cloud cover and just enough room to step out on the edge of a rocky cliff that seems secure enough to complete the shot. I took multiple angles of this arch, but this one feels solid.
Mauna Loa From Mauna Lani - It was late in November of 2022 when Mauna Loa erupted last. I happened to be working at the Fairmont Orchid at the time. We were being informed as a staff, that with the increase of earthquakes, it was only a matter of time before the eruption would occur. I heard about the eruption before heading into my shift right around Thanksgiving. I made a point to pack my camera and tripod just in case I could see it on the route to or from work. I couldn't see anything on the way in, but before the end of my shift, I was told to check out the night sky leaving the property. I couldn’t believe my eyes. The glowing red lit up the sky as if it were a nightlight for the island. I could see the glow all the way up until I was about five miles away from home. When I left work and decided to shoot the glow- I wondered, how could I make this shot stand out? And that’s when it hit me. The Mauna Lani trees would frame this shot nicely.
Misty Morning Turned Evening - Living on the Big Island has been a privilege and an experience in itself. It took me almost two years to make it to the Puna side, a journey to the opposite side of the island. And it's the experience shared with friends that make it even more memorable, especially with ones who have lived on that side. The landscape to this beach has changed from past lava flows, the other end of the beach was swallowed by a wall of lava that now cliffs the ocean's presence. To adventure here on this empty beach was a treasure to fill this frame of life, now still in my mind. As the sea mist lifts with the onset breeze, highlighting this gorgeous moment as time passes before our eyes, leaving us to depart the Puna jungle at dusk completely satisfied.
A Collection Of Memories - Volcanoes National Park is a journey within itself. Even for those who live on island. And for this trip I had my two eldest children along for the ride. Starting the day off early with a Pahoa swim meet, followed by a short trail walk along Lava Tree State Park, lunch to refuel, and lastly, up to Volcano. We were rained on most of the day, along with the walk to the crater rim. Taking in the view, the steam creeping out and slowly climbing up the crater’s walls, vegetation at work among the random swirled movement of solidifying earth, along with the stark contrast of color and life in its simplistic and apocalyptic form. Life in the making and being a witness to it. And for this ‘Ohi’a lehua, collecting rain drops and holding onto them ever so gently, the way we hold onto the memories of every adventure, close to our hearts and shared with friends and loved ones for years to come.