Kauai is the island that you visit if you’re searching for old Hawaii charm and rugged outdoor beauty. There are places on Kauai where you can truly get away. One of those places is Polihale State Park, a remote beach on the western end of Kauai. About an hour-and-a-half drive from Kapaa, Polihale beach is the westernmost publicly accessible beach in the state…and the drive to get there is something else…
Beaches
Shark’s Cove: North Shore’s Popular Snorkeling Spot
Located on Oahu’s North Shore and across the street from the Foodland in Pupukea, Shark’s Cove is a popular snorkel spot amongst beach-going locals. When viewed from above, it is said that cove’s reef resembles a shark, or mano, an important aumakua (family god) to ancient Hawaiians. Snorkel here during summer, when the ocean is calm and clear. The marine life is plentiful, so keep an eye out for the honu (Hawaiian sea turtle) and try to spot Hawaii’s state fish, the Humuhumunukunukuapua`a…say that five times fast.
Southern Maui’s La Perouse Bay (Keoneoio Bay)
Located about 30-minutes from Kihei, Keoneoio, better known as La Perouse Bay, makes for a perfect half-day adventure for those looking to enjoy a coastal trail covered in lava rock. The waves (like the drive to get to this beach) can be a bit rough and the shore is rocky, so swimming isn’t recommended. But, bring a large towel and a picnic basket, find a spot, and enjoy the views.
The First Hawaiian Sunset of 2017
The Exploration: Hawaii tradition of capturing the first sunset of the new year has been going strong since 2012. 2017’s first sunset was probably the clearest of the past 5 years, with no rain or heavy clouds in sight.
12 Hours In Maui With Island Air
A few weeks ago, our friends over at Island Air asked me to participate in a 12-hour island hopping adventure. The goal? To showcase just how easy it is to travel to one of Island Air’s neighbor island destinations (Lihue, Kahului and Kona). I wanted to be sure to fill the 12-hours with a ton of stuff that I had never experienced before on the the Valley Isle.
Blank Spaces and An Ala Moana Beach Sunset
Sun starts to set. White headphones plug into my ears. Some Ryan Adams / Blank Space provide the soundtrack to the fire in the sky.
Shipwreck Beach at Keoneloa Bay and the Coastal Mahaulepu Trail
No, there is no shipwreck, at least not anymore. Kauai locals have been calling Keoneloa Bay Shipwrecks, by some accounts, since the 1970’s, when an abandoned fishing boat could be seen from the shores. The ship was said to be over 100 feet long. The shipwreck, however, hasn’t been seen since 1982, when either Hurricane Iwa washed it away or it was officially removed.
Turtle Spotting, Slow Motion Sunset Watching, And Gentle Nudges Full of Intention
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. One breath at a time. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. One breath at a time.
Sometimes I need a gentle reminder to slow down for a bit. A gentle nudge on the shoulder telling me that my life isn’t a timed race to live. There is no one at a finish line waiting to give out medals to the person who went the fastest. I don’t need to be going 150 miles-per-hour all the time. Gentle reminders, like those I get when I see turtles like the ones I photographed below, remind me to live a more deliberate life full of intention and to create moments that are full of value.
Kaena Point From Mokuleia: Bunkers, Legends, and Old Railways
I love exploring the north and west shores leading up to Kaena Point, primarily because I think it is the last stretch of wild coastline on Oahu. Once you step beyond where the paved roads end in both Mokuleia and Waianae, you are instantly surrounded by beautiful coastal terrain, cultural sites, and remnants of a historical past once dominated by plantations and the military.
The First Hawaiian Sunset of 2016
Traditions are a great thing to have and to keep. Photographing the first sunset of the year has become an Exploration: Hawaii tradition that I’ve kept going since 2013.