Kaua'i / Hawai'i
Day 1
We left New Zealand on a high note. Earlier in the day we had helped Monita's cousin propose to his girlfriend, and we hid in the bush and captured it all! Now we were on our way to Hawai'i to see my best friend get married. We left NZ around midnight and (mostly) slept through the night.
We arrived in Honoloulu a little tired, but excited. We made our way to the next terminal where we would fly on to Kaua'i. Our friends Chrisy and Luke had also come over on the same flight, so the wait in Honoloulu wasn't so lonely. Hawai'i was never a place that I was desperate to visit, but the island of Kaua'i changed that. It is a stark contrast to O'ahu. Known as the Garden Isle, Kaua'i is way less commercialsed and touristy, it reminded Monita and I a lot of Fiji.
Unfortunately we flew into a storm (how else would the Garden Isle get its name without a little, or a lot, of rain). At least it was warm. Tayler's brother picked us from the airport and took us back to the resort everyone was staying at. After unpacking we explored the amenities we had nearby. Technically being in America made for some laughs.
Day 2
It was a slow start to the day as we caught up on sleep. We spent the majority of the day away from the girls. It started with a lunch out with the boys, then some time at the driving range before seeing out the evening having some drinks, dinner and bowling!
Day 3
Another slow start to the day. It was the day before the wedding so Luke, Chrissy, Monita and myself headed to the mall to get some last minute things. That took most of the day then we got back for some resort life and chill. Then we headed out to dinner with some new American friends down the coast to Duke's. What a spot. And pineapples with liquor in them.
Day 4
My best friend got married and it was beautiful. Full wedding post here.
Day 5
With the wedding out of the way and the weather on every single point (so much sun), The Dream team headed out early for some breakfast before heading south to Waimea Canyon. It was breath taking. Kaua'i is so unlike Honoloulu, Kaua'i has one main two lane highway that services the island, and it doesn't even go around the whole island. We stopped along the way before retiring the day at the resort.
Day 6
Another semi early start saw us heading north on east coast. First stop was the Queen's Bath, a tidal pool. But we got there at the wrong time as the tide was high and getting in would have been the last bath we'd ever take. But it was cool spot none the less. We continued north and devoured some ice cream to beat the heat. It really felt like we were in Hawai'i with the white sand beaches. The last stop was Maniniholo Bay. This island was going to be hard to leave.
Day 7
Up at the crack of dawn we gathered our bags and left the resort. The Dream Team was about to halve. Luke and Chrissy dropped us to the airport and Monita and I headed back to Honolulu for a couple of nights. We picked up our rental and headed towards our Airbnb next to Waikiki. After a little rest and a need for food we got walking and found the tastiest sushi place. Ahi Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish of raw marinated ahi tuna. And it is hands down delicious, this place did it so well we tried to go back before we flew out but they were closed. We walked a lot, up Waikiki beach, and it was a tourist trap. We walked back to our place then headed to the mall. It wasn't any mall, it's the largest open-air mall in the world. And we spent the rest of the day there.
Day 8
Another early start albeit a bit tired, I wanted to drive around the island of Oha'u. So we head west towards Pearl Harbour. I'd like to go back when we have more time to do the full tour. But it was an experience otherwise. We carried on up the coast stopping along the way. A beautiful part of the drive to the top follows the coast and we were lucky to see a Sea Turtle chilling on the beach. We had heard about a famous shrimp truck called Giovanni's. Shrimp scampi and rice, so good. As the sun set we drive through the night and the rain and arrived home tired.
Day 9
Our last full day. Monita really wanted to go snorkeling so we headed to Hanauma Bay just south of Honolulu. You pay to enter the beach, watch a compulsory safety video then walk down to the beach. It is a nature preserve and you get to swim with fish among the coral, it is really something else. After a rest we headed back into Waikiki for some last minute shopping and dinner.
The next day we flew back to NZ. And that was Hawai'i, I'll be back.
I love creating images that speak to me.
I grew up in a small town that nobody really knows about, Levin. Spent a good ten years in Hamilton making some of the best friends anyone could have. And now I’m living, working and playing in the city of Auckland, New Zealand. Also a small country that people have trouble locating – I’m looking at you America!
Life is about stories, and that’s what I love to capture and document. My shooting style is unobtrusive. You may be a natural in front of the camera, or have no idea what to do but before we even start I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and relaxed.
Things I love: Travelling to wherever I can, my partner Monita, homemade burgers, wood fired pizzas, the smell of rain on a hot summers day, mountains, the snow, sunsets and sunrises, star gazing, natural light, the aesthetic of wood, crashing waves and day dreaming.
