Hilton Lagoon

Recently, the Hilton Lagoon area underwent extensive renovations. With it now open, it has become a popular shooting location for the new "Hawai‘i Five-0" (big tent in center). The sand bar walkway also is a popular location that photographers use to do Japanese tourist wedding beach photo shoots (right). I shot this while testing a Nikon 16mm fisheye lens.

New Bloom

This is the first bloom of these "Leopard Prince" orchids I have. 

Relaxed

During our road trip from San Dimas to Las Vegas, Kat's sister, Melanie, had propped her feet up on the dashboard, after her driving shift was done.

The Artist And His Canvas

Posing for us in the media, world-renown marine artist Wyland leans out the first officer's cockpit window of the Aloha Airlines Boeing 737-700 that was his canvas, "Koholālele". Sadly, this flying "whaling wall" would only last 11 months, as the airline declared bankruptcy and shut down.

Waikīkī Vog

Over the past couple of weeks, southerly winds have brought a thick layer of volcanic haze, or vog, up from the island of Hawai‘i. It has also brought unstable weather and humidity. Pictured above is the vog layer shrouding the east end of Waikīkī and the Kaimuki district of Honolulu (lower half). Tradewinds, that will clear out the vog, aren't expected to return until this weekend.

Ocean Sports Tour

A shuttle boat full of Japanese tourists return to He‘eia Kea Boat Harbor after a morning of ocean sports activities on Kāne‘ohe Bay.

Great Aloha Run

Yesterday, the 27th Great Aloha Run was held, that had over 27,000 participants. This was the scene as some of the runners completed the 8-mile run in a little over an hour.

Astramaris

Kat bought a bouquet of these Astramaris to decorate our dining table.

Quilted Sun

The sun shrouded by cirrocumulus clouds, with the help of a polarizing filter.

The Lion Statue

Owen and Belyn pose at the feet of one of the crouching lion statues at the entrance to Chinatown as part of their wedding photo shoot.

Say Cheese!

The pilot of this Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 popped out his cockpit window to take a photograph of the ground crew at McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, NV.

This particular 737 is named "Maryland One", and the fuselage is painted like the state flag of Maryland, where Southwest has a big hub in Baltimore.

Football Toss

In the "Touchdown Zone" at the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl, kids were able to test their skills at agility and accuracy contests. This young Pittsburgh Steelers fan takes his turn at the passing accuracy game.

Double-Double

During November trip, we spent a half-day photographing airliners at LAX. A spotting / photo session at LAX is not complete without lunch at the In-N-Out Burger on Sepulveda Boulevard. The restaurant provides a great view of arriving air traffic bound for Runway 24R. Kat & I got our Double-Double combos, and had lunch outside under a sunny sky, and cool weather.

As far as fast food places go, In-N-Out is my favorite burger place in southern California, and their fresh-cut french fries are the best!

Rescue Boat

This rescue boat is part of the Honolulu International Airport's Airport Rescue & Fire Fighter (ARFF) department. It was out on training maneuvers in Ke‘ehi Lagoon when I snapped this photo.

Happy Valentine's Day!

A definite example of true, enduring love. My grandparents were recognized this past Saturday, by the Hawai‘i chapter of World Wide Marriage Encounter as the longest married couple in the 50th State, at 80 years. Among the other states, two other couples (one in Louisiana, and one in West Virginia) have been married 80 years.

Country Road

This could actually be any country road in Hawai‘i, but it's actually on Maui, as we drove towards the northwestern end of the island.

2011 Pro Bowl MVP

NFC defensive back DeAngelo Hall (of the Washington Redskins) was named the game's MVP. Hall had an interception, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown, in the 55-41 win over the AFC. He got mobbed by reporters seeking an interview as he called his family down to the field after receiving his post-game award.

NFC Players

The players from the NFC line up during pre-game introductions. Shortly after shooting the close-ups of the NFC players, I sprinted off the field, to get ready for my next shot segment, and managed to squeeze off this photo. The hula dancers from Hālau Hula Olana stage for their performance after the AFC player intros.

Drop Back

AFC quarterback Peyton Manning (of the Indianapolis Colts) drops back to throw a football during pre-game warm-ups.

San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers started the game, and Manning came in the second quarter for two offensive series. During his brief appearance in his 11th Pro Bowl, Manning was in for seven plays, went 2/5 in passing for 12 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception (by Atlanta Falcons [NFC] cornerback Brent Grimes).

Getting On The Same Page

Adam, Kelly, and Michael (front to back), from Big Screen Network co-ordinate the script for the game in our control room. Each action step during the pre-game and halftime festivities, along with the TV timeouts, are scripted with performances and shots for the cameras to take.

Pro Bowl Helmet

Each year, Riddell comes out with game and mini helmets bearing the Pro Bowl logo, and this year is no different. One of the fans along the sideboards had this game helmet with autographs from the players who participated in this year's game.

Rah! Rah! Rah!

The players are not the only ones selected to the Pro Bowl, but so are the cheerleaders. One cheerleader is selected from each team that has a cheerleading squad. The NFC squad dances during ‘Ohana Day. The dance team also included the song "Live It Up" by the Christian hip-hop band Group 1 Crew.

Rampage

This month's theme week is the "2011 NFL Pro Bowl". The National Football League's annual all-star game returned to Aloha Stadium after a year hiatus.

In today's photo, Rampage, the mascot for the St. Louis Rams, mingles with a couple of Rams fans at the NFL Pro Bowl ‘Ohana Day.

Senior Portrait

During our Las Vegas vacation, I shot a senior portrait session for our niece Kisa. Today's photo shows one of her photos that I added some Photoshop treatments to. When we did the photo shoot the temperature was in the mid-30s! 

Hold Short Bar

Similar to a stop line on a road, is this hold short bar on HNL's Taxiway RM. It notes that Runway 26L / 8R is just ahead, and the hold short line keeps taxiing aircraft at a safe distance. I took this as we were awaiting the farewell flight of the last three Hawai‘i Air National Guard F-15C Eagles, being sent off to units on the mainland.

Bored Friend

This girl waited on the rocks fronting "Point Panic", as her friends went bodysurfing. The surfers in the background bobbed in the ocean while they waited for another set of waves to roll in.

Poe

Poe, the mascot for the AFC's Baltimore Ravens, poses with a Ravens fan while her husband takes their photo during the pre-game festivities of the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl.

"Poe" got his name for the Edgar Allen Poe novel, "The Raven", and the author was from Baltimore, MD.

Rainbow Palms

A rainbow through the some palm trees in Ko ‘Olina. The rain clouds behind the rainbow shroud the hills of Makakilo.