Leahi From Above

For the final blog post of 2010, the summit of Leahi (Diamond Head) is seen from 1,500 feet up, during the Hawaiian Air's media flight on their Bellanca CH-300 "Pacemaker". Hiking the inner wall of Diamond Head Crater to the top of the iconic Honolulu landmark is one recommended activity for tourists and locals alike.

Waikele Rain

Over the past few days, the State of Hawai‘i was drenched by heavy rains and thunderstorms. Today's photo shows one of the heavy shower bands through a few trees, caught at 1/800th sec.

Mountain Doves

A flock of mountain doves gather on the wall fronting Point Panic at Kaka‘ako Park.

Hawai‘i Bowl

On Christmas Eve, the University of Hawai‘i Warriors played the Tulsa University Golden Hurricane in the Sheraton Hawai‘i Bowl at Aloha Stadium. I got this shot of the Warriors walking across the field to their locker room, after they arrived from Waikīkī on three buses, with a police motorcycle escort.

I was not able to get any game photos, since I was in the control room, directing the in-hose game video.

The Golden Hurricane dumped on the Warriors 62-35.

Torch Ginger

Torch GInger flower cuttings for sale at the KCC Open Market.

Terraces

Terraced rock formations at Pahipaialua Beach.

Mele Kalikimaka

Kat & I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Daily Double Delivery

Back in July, China Eastern Airlines had two brand new Boeing 737s making their delivery flights on the same day. They arrived from Boeing Field about a half-hour apart, and overnighted at HNL. They continued onto Majuro and Saipan, before reaching their new home in Shanghai. I took this shot a few minutes after the 737 in the back pulled into its parking spot.

Haleakalā

The view of Haleakalā from the parking lot of the Walmart in Kahului.

Tree Lined Road

The east end of Kalākaua Avenue is lined with trees. I took this photo with a Nikon 16mm fish-eye lens, and converted it to a painting in Photoshop.

Big Spray

This surfer creates a fan-like spray as he cuts the corner of this wave.

Star Cluster

A cluster of "Little Bright Star" orchids in bloom ...

Tiffany Thurston

Last weekend, Contemporary Christian music artist Tiffany Thurston made a guest appearance with New Hope Leeward's worship team. The local-born singer also performed a number that featured the sign language dance ministry alongside her. I snapped this shot of Tiffany, flashing the shaka sign, during rehearsals early last Sunday morning, in which I directed two of the worship service video feeds.

Morning Dew

Morning dew on the leaves of this shrub in black and white.

Trent 772

The business end of one of the two Rolls-Royce Trent 772 jet engines belonging to Hawaiian Air's A330-200, N380HA, "Makali‘i". I took this shortly after it arrived at HNL on its delivery flight.

Chasing Crab

These three boys try to catch a sand crab running for its life at ‘Aweoweo Beach.

Railroad Tracks

Along the Leeward coast O‘ahu are railroad tracks that date back to the 1800s, when trains were used to haul sugar cane from the fields to the sugar cane mills. A railroad network covered a large portion of of O‘ahu. Most of the Neighbor Islands had railroads as well.

There is a train that still runs on the tracks above, operated by the Hawaiian Railway Society.

I desaturated the colors to give the photo to give it a vintage look.

Waina Kai

Waina Kai, or sea grapes, grow along the shoreline of rural Hawai‘i beaches. The ripe berries are edible.

Kewalo Stairs

One of the stairways that leads to the water that surfers use to get out to the surf break, shot with a Tokina 10-17mm fish-eye lens.

Hoku Lwin

Hoku Lwin is the oldest son of New Hope Leeward's Senior Pastor Mike Lwin, and is a member of the church's worship team. Hoku is a talented guitarist and singer, a spirit-filled worship leader, and seen above jamming during  a lunch break at the 2010 Family Impact Conference.

Sharing Food

This family shares a variety of prepared food they bought at the KCC Open Market.

Hawaiian Honey

With the amount of endemic flowers in Hawai‘i, it leads to a variety of honey, as beekeepers have their bees pollenate only one type of flower. These gourmet honeys have a unique taste, and are for sale at the KCC Open Market.

Purple Ginger

Plants and flowers are other popular items sold at the KCC Open Market. This purple ginger cutting was for sale by one of the several flower vendors.

Bee Girl

This girl donned a bee costume to attract customers to their honey tent. She also gave out sample spoons to those who stopped by.

Crowded House

More of the crowd walking through KCC Open Market. In the background, are some of the food tents. There is a variety of foods ranging from grilled steaks, seafood, breakfast foods, and specialty foods.

Greg McDonald

Steel Drummer Greg McDonald provided the entertainment on one of the Saturdays. He and his wife Junko perform around town, and have CDs for sale at their tent.

Open Market

The theme month for December is the "KCC Open Market". On Saturday mornings, a section of the lower parking lot on the Kapi‘olani Community College is transformed into a farmers market. Fresh produce, and food stands are among the vendors there. The photos this week were compiled over the several times Kat & I have gone to shop and eat there. We definitely recommend the open market ... just go early!

In today's photo, this is part of the crowd at the entrance of the open market. It's a popular attraction among locals and tourists from around the world, especially Japan.

Tossing Sand

These two little girls fling sand as they dig a hole.

Window Seat

A view out of a window aboard a Mokulele Airlines's Embraer E-170 on an inter-island flight.

Sunrise Over Diamond Head

The early morning sunlight paints the clouds and sky above Diamond Head and the Honolulu skyline.

Pahinui Trio

The Pahinui Trio performs at the Made In Hawai‘i Product Expo.  Cyril Pahinui (center) is the son of legendary Hawaiian slack key guitarist Gabby Pahinui, and a highly acclaimed musician in his own right.