Honolulu

It's a pretty day to drive around the neighborhoods of Honolulu and see how people are living.  It helps the view when you're constantly seeing an old volcano.

Caved

On the southwest corner on Oahu, I walked into a cave right along the side of the road.  I figured it wouldn't be very interesting...until I found this, which appeared to be an offering to the gods.  And it was a gift for photography, to have something so colorful in such a monochrome environment.  

Riding Off

I am back on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, and I will be here until I leave Thursday.  I am out exploring the south-western part of the island for the first time, and I came across this memorial along the Pacific Ocean.  I think it's beautiful.  

Hana, Maui, Hawaii

In Hana Harbor last week, I saw this guy spear fishing.  Sure was a photogenic moment!

Coast to Coast

While driving fairly aimlessly around Maui, on a hillside in the area called Kula, I noticed a neat cloud formation over the land and the ocean,  so I pulled over to photograph it.  After taking one shot, I turned around to get back in the van I had rented, and realized I could see the other coast, so I decided to take this photo.  It's quite narrow at that part of the island...as you can see!  I also enjoyed including the fence in the foreground.  Maybe you can't even tell it's a fence.  There are many fences like this covered in plant life on Maui.  I hope you enjoy it.

Maui

I shot this photo of myself last night while hanging out of the side of the Volkswagen camper that I rented on the island of Maui in Hawaii.  Buckle up folks, this post is gonna be long.  I feel more than ever that part of how I choose to make art is not only to take interesting photos, but also to share my stories of my travels, my trials and tribulations, my moments of absolute joy, and things in between.

I made the decision last night to hang out alone, instead of distracting myself from my thoughts by going to a bar or restaurant. I had one of the most reflective nights of my life sitting there in the camper.  But as soon as I realized how reflective I was being, I started getting excited and looking forward to what this life I’ve chosen for myself will continue to bring me.

So much of what I do is about discovery.  Discovery of the world, discovery of other people, and discovery of myself.  I showed up on Maui with the informed naivety that I love to travel with, and picked up the camper, picked my friend Adam up from his hotel, and we started to figure it out.  I dislike guidebooks, museums, and looking at other people’s photos of a place before I get there.  I try to come in with fresh eyes and an open mind and just see what I see, and not worry about what I don’t see.

Here are some of my thoughts, observations, and stories from a week on Maui in no particular order.

A Maui resident that I met said, and I am paraphrasing, “We have problems just like everyone else, but when you see those cobalt blue waters, all of your worries go away”.

Someone in Makawao asked if I live here.  Made my night that I was acting as if maybe I lived there.

I sang Tiny Bubbles at karaoke night in Makawao while wearing a Hawaiian shirt at a bar with few to no tourists and it worked out well.  I thought it could end poorly if I looked like a pandering tourist.  It was fun.   I ended up with an invitation to park my camper and stay at someone’s house for a night.  When I did park the camper there, I had a great conversation and a really restful night.  I was happy to make friends.

I learned shortly after I got to Hawaii that Aloha meant much more than hello and goodbye.  I never knew that.  The Aloha spirit is very much about kindness and understanding, and the circle of reciprocity…or in the parlance of our times, paying it forward.   Someone who gave my friend and I tips on boogie boarding even said, “That’s the Alaho spirit, pay it forward”.

I did really start paying the Aloha spirit forward.  For example, I stopped for a guy who had serious road rash from a bicycle spill and I offered him my first aid kit that my camper had in it.  I’ve done stuff like that before, but it felt more natural than ever.  Just last night I even started saying Aloha to people on the street without feeling like a poser.  That was a big step for me.

So many people have shaken my hand, introduced themselves by their first name in a context where I usually consider it irrelevant, and many have called me brother, which is a lot cooler than being called bro.

I found myself very satisfied with the understanding I've learned about people and cultures and kindness to strangers.

I listened to lots of music while sitting in the camper and thinking.  Some songs that hit me hard included Who’s Gonna Miss Me by Loretta Lynn, Wherever I May Roam By Metallica, and of course Who Says You Can’t Go Home by Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles, which made me long for Ulster County, New York just a little bit.  I really haven’t been “missing” it there since I hit the road in January, but I kinda did last night, while at the same time being quite happy to be on Maui.  I hope that makes sense.

I kept skipping songs that were not relaxing or that didn’t have lyrics with meaning to me.

I spoke with an apparently homeless guy who was gushing with pride for his hometown.

I gave the shaka / hang loose sign throughout the last few days while driving and doing it with my left hand out the driver’s side window was pretty awkward.

I am addicted to putting myself in uncomfortable situations .  I am very fortunate to be able to choose my troubles though.  That I can seek uncomfortable situations is quite a luxury, and I try to remember that.

I thank my parents for promoting personal decision making and giving me the resources and education to choose my own path in life.

Before I traveled, I was way more uncomfortable with "strangers”.  One of my major goals was to be better with people.  It’s been almost 6 years that I’ve been a big traveler, and I have a long way to go, but am more and more comfortable around new people that I meet.  Now I don’t even like the concept of the word "strangers".

Some people I met in Maui asked me about my life and I explained how I make money online while I travel, and they told me I had it all figured out.  It’s kinda odd to hear someone who lives in what people call “paradise” say that.  I get uncomfortable when someone says stuff like that, or that I am "living the dream”, because I have my ups and downs like most people.   But it gave me confidence to hear that and I am getting more comfortable hearing that.

I know this post rambled a bit, but I had so many thoughts that they were tough to put in order.  I hope you enjoyed reading a bit about my experience, and if you could take an extra moment to make a comment if you’ve read this far and you’re glad you read this far, I would very much appreciate it.   I am not sure what else to say.  So...

Aloha!

Living on island time

I lived on island time today.  I've really relaxed and am in a great mood.   So no new photos to post from today.  It's a good time to start posting some of the photos from Maui that haven't made it online yet.   So here is one from the south side of Maui on the road past Hana when I was heading back towards town.    I was standing on the side of the road to shoot this, after a steep incline.  I had just come from the part of the same road that you can see hug the coastline in the photo.  Good times!  

Road to Hana

I shot this on the road to Hana yesterday in Maui.  As many of you know I love taking photos of roads to this was right up my alley.  What do you think?

Road to Hana

On the south side of Maui, after taking the road to Hana and continuing around the ocean, I found this truck.  Apparently it was its last ride!  There are several trucks and cars in this condition on the island.  I didn't find them that photo worth until I realized that there are so many that it's kind of a thing. My friend Adam who is with me actually noticed the truck first.  I went to take a photo from a distance and kept going until I decided to reach through the back window and put the camera on the top of the seat to take a photo.  Sweet dreams!  :)

On the road...to Hana...again

I drove the famous "Road To Hana" on the island of Maui in Hawaii last week, and it was ok.  Today I have been on it again, and it's a much nicer day than last time, and it's really really a great road with great views.  Here is one I shot a short while ago.  Enjoy! (And for those of you paying close attention, my mood is still really good!)

What a night

My mood has done a complete 180.  Some local residents of Maui that my friend and I met the other day offered us a place to park the Volkswagen bus for a night, and when we got there, they offered a place to sleep indoors as well.  Plus we joined them for a drink and conversation on their back deck.  I had a blast.  It was really interesting to talk with locals and share a bit about my experiences with them, and hear their perspective.  And to just laugh about a few things.  After everyone was in bed, I went outside and shot this photo.  Down the hill in town planes were landing and taking off, I could see traffic in the distance, but everything where I was was quiet and peaceful.  And all was well in my world.  

What I'm up to

Here is what I'm up to...working on my computer in the back of a Volkswagen Westfalia Camper in the public parking lot in the town of Makawao on the island of Maui in Hawaii.  This camper is wearing me out pretty bad.  I have had it since Thursday, and it's been a good adventure.  But just continuing to keep it real with you all, I'm not a huge fan of living this way.  I've tried a lot of ways of living but this one might not be my style.  Looking for public bathrooms, places to park for the night, and things like that gets real tiring real fast.  My friend is with me and we've each showered twice since Thursday, and it's now Monday.  We showered at public pools because we heard they had hot water, then went swimming just because you have to go swimming in order to shower there.  I am glad he's with my though, because having someone to laugh at the struggles with is pretty helpful. Again, an interesting adventure, but my patience has been tested over and over again in these 4 days.

But just like when I had some rough times in Vietnam, I will come to appreciate them, and would do it all over again if I could!

Oh what a night

I climbed a tree a little bit to take a photo by the ocean on Maui at 2:28 AM.  That's normal right?  

Pretty view...but...

Here is the view from just a few minutes ago from the top deck of the Volkswagen Westfalia Camper I rented.  I thought of shooting a photo like this when I parked by the ocean last night to stay for the night, and even lined up the parking job just compose the photo.  I just had to wait until the morning!  Easy enough, right?  I figured it would be a beautiful peaceful experience and that I would write about how days like this made all the highs and lows worth it.  But the road behind me is louder than I expected, and I don't think more than 1 minute went by the whole night without a car going by.  It's the main thoroughfare between the area where the big resorts, golf courses, and beaches are, and the airport.  I barely slept.  So I'm still feeling pretty cranky.  Of course I know I chose to do this, and I am not complaining.  I just want to be honest with everyone reading this about how this photo could be perceived and what the truth of the matter is! 

Great night

The last bit of my day today got pretty frustrating.  It was dark and I was trying to find a good place to park the rented VW camper, and I was tired and cranky.  But I am parked by the ocean now, posting this from the camper, and have enjoyed doing a bit of photography on this beautiful night.   Enjoy the photo! 

Polipoli State Park

My friend Adam and I made the long trek un the mountain to Polipoli State Park in Maui at the recommendation of a new friend we met.  The redwood forest was pretty interesting for being on an island in the Pacific Ocean!  I was trying to embrace the odd lighting conditions, and I liked how there was light beyond the trees and the trees were more shadowy.  What do you think of it?

Church on Maui

I shot this the other day somewhere on Maui in the cemetery of a Catholid church.  I liked the flowers that had fallen to the ground from the tree behind me.  

What I came for

I knew little to nothing about Maui before I arrived, but somehow feel like this is what I'm here for.  It's a stunningly beautiful day for a drive around the western coast of Maui.  So I am doing just that.  I normally don't like cars in my photos of roads, but when I saw this Jeep drive by I decided to include it.  I hope you like it!  

Rusted

I found this old vehicle on the side of the road in Maui.  The light on top of it says "For Hire".  It was like a gift from the photography gods.  

Maui

I shot this just a short while ago on the southern coast of Maui.  It was a difficult shot for many reasons, but I sweated it out, and I'm very excited about it.  What do you think of it?