Winter on Maui

Winter on Maui can mean big swells and strong offshore winds on the North side, just like the Ho'okipa picture above I took today. Everyone seems to be attracted to the beach to see the waves when they start getting this big, can't blame them, they can be spectacular! Temperatures are in the high 70's to low 80's, not quite as cold as what people in the Midwest and East are experiencing right now.

I've been lagging in putting up some photos of my daughters twins so here are a few from around Christmas including their first Santa encounter. I had the pleasure of having these guys sleep on my chest as newborns, not much that can compare with the pleasure of that.





















This is Max and Dom seeing what kind of trouble they can find and not seeming to find Santa too big of a deal.

HAU'OLI MAKAHIKI HOU!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow! What a rush this holiday season has been. Spent the 2007 holidays in Toledo, Illinois, population 1200. I have to tell you that even with the birth of my daughter's twins with all the ensuing hulabaloo it was calm compared to this 2008 Maui Christmas season. I forgot about all the holiday parties and get togethers with friends and ohana and we still have about another week to go. I'm really not complaining, just trying to make an excuse for not getting in any blog entries. I was reluctant to start a blog in the beginning but find myself missing it if I can't squeeze in time to share whats going on here.

At Paul Janes-Brown's Upcountry Christmas party I had the pleasure to meet Tom Sewell, the gentleman who's picture appears below. Had a great time talking about new camera gear, one of my favorite things, and also talking about the great exhibition Tom did on Maui's own sugar industry. His name is linked to the website where you can view the video of the exhibit, a very wonderful presentation of the incredible works of men, amazing things going on around us every day that pass unnoticed by most.




















The Sunday before Christmas I had the pleasure of recording the wedding of my friend Wendy and her new husband John. The wedding was near the beach where Maliko Gulch makes its way to the sea in beautiful Haiku, the reception followed at Haiku's own Studio Maui.






Capturing the brides and bridesmaids as they prepare for the ceremony is a favorite part of the day for me.















The bride emerges from her cocoon with the help of the bridesmaids.
















Rev. Gary Canier performed
the ceremony. A very Hawaiian celebration of the blending of two souls, the aina (earth) and ohana (family).


























Another favorite wedding moment for me is the bride and grooms first dance as man and wife, hard to find a more special wedding moment than this.






After Christmas


My friend Ku'ulei's daughter was home for the holidays, taking a break from acting school in L.A. I had the pleasure of doing some head shots for her portfolio and the one I share here is my favorite B&W . A beautiful and sweet young woman she was a very easy going subject and we had a good time shooting around Wailuku town and in the Iao Valley.












Denni and I ended the year with our traditional quiet evening at home alone. We were awakened by the ever increasing crescendo of exploding fireworks as the hour approached midnight. We watched the exploding fireworks, wished each other a happy new year and went back to sleep to rest up for the new year to come.

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season and we wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year!