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One of the best things about the school district I work for is that we have a two week fall break in October. Adam’s principal, in a different district, has been quite flexible the last few years, so Adam and I take a week to go on a trip. So far, in October, we’ve visited Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Iowa, Belize, Wisconsin, and Washington DC.
Adam asked where I wanted to go this October (2024), and I said I’d love to take the van back to Utah. Adam looks at me and says, “I’m sick of the van. Where do you want to go on an airplane?” I balked for a second, then started researching. We looked for airfare to Europe or somewhere in the Caribbean but agreed on a vacation in Hawaii.
Adam and I separately visited Oahu and the Big Island during college for a month-long class. Since it had been almost twenty years since my last visit (and 20 for Adam), Hawaii seemed like a good choice. The flights were incredibly cheap, and we agreed to visit Maui since neither of us had been. This vacation felt like a “coming home” trip for us to celebrate ten years of marriage and twenty years together.
The vacation was fantastic and full of adventures. I couldn’t capture everything like both of us standing while learning to surf or the colorful fish we saw while snorkeling in Molokini Crater. However, I did have my camera for many locations. This week’s newsletter captures the best of the rest from our trip.
I think this is a hibiscus?
I loved how the sunset lit up this plumeria tree. The flowers were lit so well against the sky, so I angled my camera up and zoomed in.
This I recognize as a hibiscus. It was such a delicate pink color.
Adam pointed out this lizard on the INSIDE of a neighbor’s window.
Plumbago - I’ve never heard of this flower, but the lavender color was gorgeous in the low light.
Again in black and white. Adam and I wanted a short hike, and this one fit the bill. The trail provided some lovely views and gave us some vitamin D and fresh air prior to an epic snorkel.
The trail ended at a point that jutted into the ocean. The color of the water was a gorgeous teal blue. The Hawaiian island of Lanai is in the distance.
That color is perfect. I kept telling Adam that the color of the ocean is my favorite color.
The Kaheawa Wind Power Farm. You could see these turbines all over the island, and since I’m obsessed with wind turbines, I took a bunch of pictures of them. You’ll see them again in a later newsletter.
These are monkeypod trees. Their canopy grows the most in an open space with the freedom to spread, primarily because its canopy grows so wide. This group of trees grew together to create a tunnel along the highway (hence the cars in the shot).
After I took this picture, I looked at Adam and sighed. I said, “Everyone’s going to see this and think it looks like a penis.”
Fun fact: In Hawai’ian culture, the ʻĪao Needle is known as the phallic stone of the god of the ocean (Kanaloa). So, turns out, it is a penis LOL.
The clouds definitely hampered the view. I can only imagine how glorious the scene is on a sunny day or during golden hour. The whole park was so lush and green.
We followed a trail down to a swimming hole (the other side of the two big rocks). However, we had already snorkeled in the morning and didn’t want to get back in the water when we had a flight back to the mainland later that night.
These leaves were so beautiful. I knew when shooting that I would edit them in a high contrast black and white image.
Cordyline fruticosa or Ti plant.
I’ll have four more newsletters upcoming about our trip to Maui. Be prepared for warm, tropical views, especially for those of you dealing with a frigid winter in the northern hemisphere!
Cheers.
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Thanks for sharing, Rachel. Love the high contrast black and white image of the leaves. My wife and I were in Hawaii and Kauai a year ago (it was lovely, of course) but my dream is to return and photograph an eruption 🌋...from a safe distance!
Thanks for sharing, Rachel. Love the high contrast black and white image of the leaves. My wife and I were in Hawaii and Kauai a year ago (it was lovely, of course) but my dream is to return and photograph an eruption 🌋...from a safe distance!
I lived in Hawaii when I was a kid. Haven't been back in over 50 years. Your pictures are lovely, they bring back fond memories.