Ephemeral Life...

Reflecting upon this past year, it is easy to see the seemingly endless and relentless challenges. However understanding that darkness can be our greatest teacher, something I have learned this past year, I am humbly grateful for the multitude of important lessons so many challenges have bestowed upon my Spiritual growth. What began as a year of apprehension and yes, even fear, has not evolved into a place of humble gratitude for the countless Blessings in this Life, and on this Shared Human Journey of our Immortal Souls. The other day, my son Koa wanted to get out of the house after being sequestered for the past nine-months. I took him with me to go grocery shopping which involved a long drive. He stayed in the car while I shopped and when I returned to the car, we spent some time bonding and just talking. You would think nine-months together in a small apartment would provide ample opportunity to converse, but somehow real life doesn’t always work that way. I was very grateful to sp...

All is Calm... All is Bright...

The Path of No Return...

An Assembly of Birds...

All I Ever Wanted... Or Needed... In This Life... Was Amazingly Beautiful... You...

The Eternal Promise of Hope...

This morning, while taking my shower, I gazed out my little bathroom window as the Sun rose in a pastel-hued radiant backdrop to Kaimana, or Diamond Head, as the world knows her. I was stunned to see such detail in the landscape of Mō'ili'ili, Kalia, Waikiki and beyond. My usual slightly blurry distance sight was replaced with the utmost clarity and discernment of every crisp detail of trees, roads, houses, buildings and other features. I didn't remember ever seeing this scene with such detail. It was if I possessed new eyes. I was in humble disbelief and stunned gratitude, giving thanks for this gift of renewed sight. As I entered my morning Prayers, I watched the Heavens. It was then that I noticed the steam and water vapor from the shower flowing out of the little window, swirling around, as it floated away, mixing with the atmosphere.  I understood that Ka Wai Ola a Kāne, the Life Giving Waters of Kāne, were in my Hā, my Breath, and my pious utterances and petitioning t...

The Magic of the Christmas Star relies upon the limitations of the naked eye. The blending of two planets into one Bright Star requires slightly blurry vision unaided by telescopes or telephoto lenses.  This scene captures the Great Conjunction, the First Hawaiian Bank Building Star, and apparently Santa Claus flying by in his sleigh on a practice run.  I remember sitting with you, on a grassy hill, in the early morning of March 4, 1226. It was as Beautiful tonight as it was way back then. As we watched silently, wondering if we would ever see each other again.  When you Wish Upon a Star...

I was excited like many photographers to capture the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn which forms the "Christmas Star." I saw Beautiful captures of those in far away places who witnessed the Twilight hours arise before Hawai'i. After searching the Honolulu Skyline, I think I captured it. It was more Beautiful and Magical than I thought it would be...

Pōhaku Wānānā o Pai'ea... The Prophesy Stone of Kamehameha... Created in the fires of Halema'uma'u by the hands of Pele and the waters of Kanaloa for the prophet Ke'eaunaoa; I share the spirit of Kū. I tell the story of the killer of chiefs. I am the embodiment of Ke Akua and 'Io, who are one in the same. I told Elliott to be careful having his brother serve 'awa to akua Pele's creation for his photography assignment. Too late now...boys will be boys. Hahaha...

There are Places... In my Heart... Where Only You... Dwell... Safe from the World... Bathed in Moonlight... Blanketed in my Love...

In college, around 1987, our Photography 101 Professor would give us assignments by giving us a word and asking us to capture what the word meant to us. This particular assignment centered on the word, "Ancient." I wasn't feeling particularly motivated and ended up putting talcum powder in my hair, rubbed poi on my face and let it dry, and then became "The Mummy." I didn't even bother wrapping myself with toilet paper and just wore my t-shirt.  I might look more like a cackling witch than a mummy. Or maybe a warlock? Or a witchy-warlock? Or maybe a crazed college student who fell face first into two kilos of cocaine. My father could make this same face and it struck me how much I look like him. I never showed this photograph to anyone outside my photography class for the past thirty-years. Now I don't really care showing it to the World because Life is way too short to worry about how bad you look...hahaha...

When this Journey Ends... I Will Search Time and Space... Through the Boundless Universe... Through Lifetimes... To Find Beautiful You... Once Again...

  Beautiful to see my son Koa through his older brother's eyes...

Elliott's final assignment for his Photography class at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa explored kanaka 'ōiwi identity and traditional and customary practices and modern day manifestations in a series of photographs. His younger brother Koa was kind enough to wear a malo and help his older brother with his assignment. Here are two shots depicting the 'auamo or carrying pole.

This morning, with the December Sun peering through my window, and Christmas fast approaching, I once again earned my Halo during my morning shower. It really is crooked, but at least it is a Halo, if you know what I mean...

There is No Height... That is Unreachable... No Accomplishment... Unobtainable... No Painful Sorrow... Unendurable... With Sacred You... By my Side...

To Gaze Upon Her... Breathless Beauty... Is to Intimately Know... The Wanton Radiance... Of an Endless Love... That She Understands... My Solemn Darkness... Yet Loves Me Still... Leaves me Desiring... Nothing More... In This Ephemeral Life...