Mansion In The Hills

This mansion stands alone in the uppermost part of Saint Louis Heights. I saw this mansion while we visited my grandmother at the Maunalani Nursing Center, which is on the adjacent Maunalani Heights.

Sorry, I didn't get any tsunami-related photos to post ...

Artsy Staples

A couple of years ago, I posted a photo called Sculpture?, today's photo takes a colorful spin on the same shot. Instead of using white LED flashlights, I used one with a green lens, and one with red lens.

East Honolulu

Landmarks of east Honolulu: (bottom to top) Hanauma Bay, Koko Head, and Makapu‘u Point, are seen from the air on one our trips to Maui.

Across Kane‘ohe Bay

Looking across Kane‘ohe Bay from Kahaluu to Kualoa.

Green Bananas

Green bananas for sale at a produce stand ...

Water Colours?

Heavy rains roll down the windshield of my car ...

Abalone Shell

One of the abalone shells from the grilled Kona Abalone stand at the KCC open market .

Camera On Camera

A wide-angle view from one of the camera positions during New Hope Leeward's Family Impact Conference 2009.

Arsenal Of Photography

Okay, it's not the arsenal of democracy ...

But I've always got something to take a photo ...

Shoot first, ask questions later ...

Flying Panda

In 2007, All Nippon Airways (ANA) painted one of their Boeing 767-381ERs like a panda to commemorate the 20th anniversary of air service between Japan and China. The 767, JA606A, was named "Fly! Panda", and the little panda over the wing is the design of the entire paint scheme.

Today's photo shows "Fly! Panda" lining up on HNL's Runway 26R, and awaiting take-off clearance to return to Narita, Tokyo, Japan.

Reflecting Clouds

Clouds reflect off of a calm Ke‘ehi Lagoon.

I got this shot while I was trying to catch the arrival of US Airways' first flight from Charlotte, NC to Honolulu, AWE807, this past December.

Contemplation

This contemplative man sits in deep thought among the dozens of lavender plants at Ali‘i Kula Lavender farm in Kula, Maui. It looks like he's taking in the sights and scents of the lavender, and the cool air.

2010 Great Aloha Run

Over 24,000 participated in the 26th Great Aloha Run yesterday.

Today's photo shows a bunch of runners finishing within the first hour of the 8.15-mile race.

Leaping Lion

Kung Hee Fat Choy! Happy Chinese New Year!

Yesterday also marked the beginning of the lunar new year, Year of the Tiger. The Chinese Lion Dance Club performed the traditional lion dance at Kapolei Commons. The club had one main performance, and followed it by going to certain merchants and performing for them. During the main performance, the lion jumped from one platform to another. The club also performed a dragon dance, and a few of martial arts demonstrations.

Happy Valentine's Day

Kat & I wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day!

Signing & Portrait

To finish off the painting of "Koholālele", Wyland used a spray gun to sign his masterpiece at the port side aft section of the jet (top). During the media event, Wyland also put his signature by the main entry door, under the Hawaiian Monk Seal.

Wyland posed with one of his paint brushes, while sitting aboard a moving scaffold, next to his work of art (above). After submitting this photo to Aloha Airlines, I was told it ran on the PR Newswire video screen in Times Square, New York City, along with a wide shot of the 737. Needless to say, my jaw almost hit the floor... I've had photos published in international magazines, but never on a video board!

Sadly, when Aloha Airlines shut down at the end of March 2008, N748AL was returned to its leasing company, and it meant "Koholālele" would never be. About six months after the shut down, VARIG (Brazil) leased the aircraft, and was re-painted in their colors, and re-registered PR-VBV.

It was an honor to work alongside an artist the caliber of Wyland, and to have been considered worthy to capture the process. I'd have to say, this has been the biggest assignment I've had.

Spinner Dolphins & Reef Fish

Keeping with the dolphins at the nose of the 737, Wyland painted a trio of spinner dolphins on the right side (top).

Wyland also painted a few reef fish below the right side forward entry door.

Honu & Tiger Shark

The honu, or green sea turtle (top), carries much significance in Hawaiian culture. A honu was also painted on both sides of the 737. Wyland adds detail to the honu on the left side.

The tiger shark is a predator commonly found swimming around the Hawaiian Islands. Wyland begins outlining the shark against the late afternoon sky.

Hawaiian Monk Seal

Wyland painted a Hawaiian Monk Seal on both sides of N748AL.

The top photo shows a Hawaiian Monk Seal painted right of the main entry door. According to Wyland, the seal was there to greet the passengers awaiting to board the aircraft.

The above photo shows a monk seal painted above the wing root on the right side of the aircraft.

Humpback Whales

Humpback whales were painted on the right rear section of the fuselage as well, that featured a mother and her calf.

The top photo shows a low-angle wide shot of Wyland and Kenny on the snorkel.

The above photo shows a mirror image of Wyland off of the humpback as he adds the finishing touches.

Super Bowl XLIV Champs

"Who dem say gonna beat them Saints? Who dat! Who dat!"

The New Orleans Saints won Super Bowl XLIV yesterday over the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17! Woo hoo!

Today's special shows a photo of quarterback Drew Brees' helmet on the NFC from the 2009 Pro Bowl, that I took while we were setting up our camera cables on the Mauka (Mountainside) sideline.

I remembered I had this shot, and thought that if the Saints win, I'm posting this ...

The "Koholālele" theme week continues below.

Bottlenose Dolphins

In the top photo, Wyland draws out the bottlenose dolphins on the port side (left) nose section.

In the above photo, Wyland paints in the dolphins. Nautically, dolphins can be found racing along the bow of ships.

Draw & Paint

This month's theme week is "Koholālele, Wyland's painting of N748AL". In 2007, marine artist Wyland was commissioned to paint one of Aloha AIrlines' 737-700s, which were used for the Hawai‘i - West Coast service. It would be the artist's only moving "whaling wall".

In April 2007, I was commissioned to photograph Wyland as he painted the Aloha Airlines 737-700. Asked if I would be interested was a no-brainer. I cleared my schedule for this historic event, which occurred a month later, and spent three days in the Aloha hangar shooting over 1,000 photos. Out of those photos, over 250 were submitted to the airline for their use, and to magazines. The first and second days were the actual drawing & painting, and the third day was the unveiling and blessing of the aircraft. Because there were so many photos, I decided to double up on the photos.

It was amazing to see how Wyland worked. He said the aircraft had one big challenge: the fuselage skin is curved. At the same time this was the only painting (up to that point) where he could get a full view by stepping back a few yards, since the maximum height he worked was about 20 feet (on a moving scaffold), something he could not do while painting a building.

In the top photo, Wyland draws a humpback whale on the left rear section of the fuselage with a blue grease pencil. This was the first of the sea life he painted.

In the above photo, Wyland adds detail to the whale painting by using different shades of blue.

Boots & Kimo's

Boots & Kimo's Hawaiian Kitchen is one of Kailua's most popular eateries. So much so, that wait times can go up to an hour on a busy morning. It's known for its macadamia nut sauce on their pancakes, and their Hawaiian-style ribs. The owners are big NFL football fans, and have the room divided into AFC and NFC, plus each table has a team logo on it.

This was the scene when Kat & I had gone there one Saturday morning, and our wait time was about 45 minutes. And yes, the food is delicious!

Egret On Lexus

One Sunday morning, after a 7am service, I noticed this egret sitting on the roof rack of a Lexus RX300 SUV. I had gone to pick up breakfast at a nearby restaurant, and saw the bird while walking back to my car. Of course I had to get photos of the white bird, and it looked like the bird owned the car.

Aloe Flowers

During fall and winter months, aloe plants around the state are in bloom ...

"Dog" House

This is the front of Da Kine Bail Bonds, owned by Duane "Dog" Chapman, the bounty hunter, and star of the A&E TV series. This is where the Honolulu segments are based out of. It's next door to one of the churches where I videotape Japanese tourist weddings.

Around the corner from the bail bond office is the "Dog" store, where merchandise & souvenirs from the show is sold.

Woody

Kat & I came across this car that was parked outside the Mililani Mauka location of Poke Stop, where "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" was shooting a segment. I'm not sure if it was for the segment, but it's definitely a classic!

Controversy

A couple of weeks ago, the Hawai‘i State Senate voted on the civil-unions bill. Supporters of traditional marriage (dressed in white) and supporters of same-sex marriage (rainbow-colored lei) of the bill filled the Senate gallery before the vote. The Senate passed the bill that day, but the House indefinitely postponed action on the bill a few days ago.