Sheila E

Percussionist Sheila E made an appearance at the 2011 NFL Pro Bowl to play with a Polynesian drum group during a TV timeout for the Aloha Stadium crowd. After her performance, she watched the remainder of the game on the NFC sidelines wearing the Drew Brees black New Orleans Saints game jersey hanging in front of her drum kit.

The diminutive drummer recently made an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" for "Drum Solo Week".

City Center

Inside the Las Vegas City Center ...

Motorcade Practice

Officers from the Honolulu Police Department's Solo Bike Unit practice motorcade procedures with other HPD officers in preparation for Archbishop Desmond Tutu's visit. The South African bishop made an appearance at the American Psychiatric Association's convention in Honolulu a few months ago.

Fish In The Tide Pool

A school of fish swim in a tide pool at Magic Island.

Orchids For Sale

A sample of some of the orchids for sale at the KCC Farmers Market ...

Shave Ice

This family waits for their shave ice that they ordered from one of the vendors at the KCC Farmers Market.

Faces

As the sponsor airline of the 2011 Universiade Games, Shenzhen Airlines had one of their brand new Boeing 737-800s painted to promote the games that the city of Shenzhen is hosting in August. The motif chosen for the artwork were these faces painted from nose to tail, depicting some of the events.

Desert Palm Dawn

The rising sun turns the Lake Las Vegas sky orange as it nears the horizon.

Going Solo

This boy takes his first solo ride on a stand-up paddleboard, as his dad cheers him on.

Running Lines

Lantern Floating Hawai‘i 2011 emcees Tannya Joaquin and Dan Cooke run through their lines shortly before we begin our dress rehearsal the day before the event. The emcees are also part of the Hawai‘i News Now "Sunrise" morning news show, along with co-emcee Billy V, who was on a remote stage.

Ford Island Tower

In the middle of Pearl Harbor, lies Ford Island. During World War II, it was used as a mooring base for the US Navy warships. It was also where the Japanese Imperial Navy attacked the Pearl Harbor Naval Station on December 7, 1941. In the middle of Ford Island, was an airstrip for a contingent of US Navy aircraft housed in hangars on the small island. This control tower withstood the fateful attack, and is seen above after decades of disrepair. The tower is now in the process of getting a makeover, thanks to the Pacific Aviation Museum, which  is a part of the museum. The Ford Island Tower was also featured in the feature films "Tora! Tora! Tora!" and "Pearl Harbor".

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day!

A few years ago, I was asked to do a father and son photo shoot for a friend, and this is one of the shots from that session.

Beach Photo Shoot

One of the post wedding options for Japanese tourist couples is a photo shoot at a beach. Magic Island, at Ala Moana Park, is one of the popular locations, with its proximity to Waikīkī. This couple was one of several couples  having their beach photos done at Magic Island throughout the course of this day. I got this shot on my first day of the Lantern Floating TV shoot that I was on last month. I had time to walk around, and snap several photos before my call time.

Orchids For Mom ...

One year ago today, my Mom went home to be with the Lord. My orchids were in bloom at the time, and as a tribute to her, I picked those flowers so that they would part of the flowers that were scattered at sea with her ashes.

Prickly Situation

A bunch of cacti Kat and I came across at hardware store's garden department.

Lightning Strike

Over the past few weeks, Hawai‘i has been experiencing its share of springtime thunderstorms. Usually, the lightning stays off-shore, but recently, those storm cells have been forming over land. In today's photo, this bolt of lightning came down a couple of miles from our place.

Flag Day

Today is Flag Day!

Pictured above is a skydiver from "The Flying Leathernecks" bringing in American Flag to launch the 2010 Kāne‘ohe Bay Air Show.

Rainbow Drive-In

One of the most popular plate lunch eateries on O‘ahu, is Rainbow Drive-In! It's celebrating its 50th anniversary this year! Rainbow is popular with locals and tourist alike, and a great stop after a day at Waikīkī Beach.

Rainbow Drive-In was featured in an episode of Chef Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-ins & Dives" (Food Network), when he shot at several well-known eateries around O‘ahu.

Mmmm ... a mixed plate (beef stew, teriyaki beef, chicken cutlet, macaroni salad, and two scoops of rice) and a strawberry slush!

Coral

We found this piece of coral in shallow waters at ‘Āweoweo Beach. 

Finale Break

To end their flight performance, each of the six Blue Angels, takes its turn to break away from the delta formation as the aerial demonstration squadron comes in to land.

Delta Loop

All six F/A-18Cs fly in the delta formation to go into the delta loop.

Four Burst

The four-ship diamond breaks into a horizontal burst over Marine Corps Base Hawai‘i at Kāne‘ohe Bay.

Solos Departure

Blue Angels 5 and 6 are the solo performers, and they take off on their own. Facing west, Blue Angel 5 begins a steep climb while Blue Angel 6 takes a longer take-off roll.

Four-Ship Take-Off

The four main F/A-18s take off east-bound in the V-formation. Blue Angel 4 will drop into his slot position behind Blue Angel 1 to form the diamond after they retract their landing gear.

Smoke!

As part of their pre-flight run throughs, all six Boeing F/A-18C Hornets test their smoke system prior to taxiing for take-off.

Fat Albert

The theme week for June is "Blue Angels". In September 2010, the US Navy's Blue Angels headlined the 2010 Kāne‘ohe Bay Air Show. This year, the United States Naval Aviation Corps is celebrating its centennial anniversary.

Today's photo shows the Blue Angels' C-130T, nicknamed "Fat Albert", as it concludes it opening act demonstration, with a crew member popping out from the escape hatch to wave the American flag. The US Marines transport carries the aerial demonstration squadron's support equipment and personnel from show to show.

Rolling In

This little wave crashes on the shore at ‘Āweoweo Beach as the tide rises.

Refueling Probe

This is the refueling boom and probe of a Hawai‘i Air National Guard Boeing KC-135R "Stratotanker". The probe connects with a receptacle in US Air Force aircraft to off-load fuel. It was on display during the 2009 Hickam AFB Air Show.

Angel Hood Ornament

This angel hood ornament was on the hood of a 1930s-era Ford Victoria that was part of a vintage and classic car show at the end of April.

Lanterns

On Memorial Day, the Na Lei Aloha Foundation held its annual Lantern Floating Hawai‘i at Magic Island Park. As in the past several years, I worked on the broadcast television crew for the event. The release of the lanterns to sea is the highlight of the event. Above are several of the 3,000+ lanterns that were released.