Fun In The Sun

Jan 28, 2011

Ashara and I wake up and agree that shopping is the plan for the day.

We go to the Waikoloa Village Starbucks for breakfast and then leave for Kailua-Kona. Our destination is Ali'i Drive for lots of local flavor and shopping.

One of our stops is to look at rings at the Titanium Ring Shop, a store advertised in Hana Hou, the in-flight magazine. We look for a while and talk with the store manager about several options. Ashara really likes the dark wood colors and I like the lapis. Since each ring is hand-made and made-to-order we combine our likes and decide on matching rings with 2 bands of black wood and a band of lapis in the middle. Our rings will be made and shipped home in 2-3 weeks. Can hardly wait to see the finished rings!

Next we stop for lunch at the Kona Inn Restaurant. Sitting outdoors with the ocean breeze is delightful. Ashara gets a chicken dish while I opt for BBQ pulled pork; both delicious.

We hit the street again, this time looking for the Lava Light Gallery which is co-owned by CJ Kale and Nick Selway. Nick is a long-time friend of my friend and photographer Mandy Swehla. Mandy suggested Ashara and I visit the gallery when we are on island because I am fascinated by wave photography, and I want to create some of my own.

We find the gallery on Ali'i Drive, walk in and we are greeted by Nick. I introduce Ashara and myself and say to Nick, "You know Mandy Swehla? She sent us to see you and CJ." Well, that opened up many minutes of conversation with both CJ and Nick. We got the grand tour of the gallery, then Nick and I got into tech talk about how the photos were taken: ISO settings, shutter speed vs. aperture priority, waterproof cases, etc. I mentioned that I came with my gear and planning to do lots of wave photography. Nick also pointed to an award that CJ just received for an outstanding photo he took of lava flowing into the ocean in the Puna District of the Big Island. CJ mentioned that the shelf of lava he just photographed dropped and exploded into the ocean!

Nick offered to shoot with him on Monday at one of his favorite places which was close by to Waikoloa Village. I practically jumped out of my skin at his offer, and of course agreed to meet him at 7AM.

Shortly after we left the gallery for more sight-seeing and shopping.

We eventually made our way back to the condo and watched another spectacular sunset over the Pacific.

Stay tuned for the next installment!