Every year we set out to capture the first sunset of the new year. This year was no different. The first sunset of 2018 was cool, calm, and collected.
Beach
Polihale State Park + Kauai Pupu Factory
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…
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.
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.
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.
The Secret Beach Bench In A Tree
A fellow adventurer built this bench in a tree a few years ago. I won’t say who, though. I’ll leave that as part of the mystique…along with the location.