Experience Hawaii, Part 1 - Oahu

For the last two weeks we have been visiting Oahu and Big Island, two of the Hawaiian Islands. I am very grateful that my job brings me to such beautiful destinations and taking part in the Pacifichem 2015 (the world’s largest chemistry conference) was very inspiring for my scientific work. But being on these beautiful islands, we found the time to explore Oahu and the Honolulu area, as well as the paradise called Hawaii (Big Island).
 
We spent the first week in Waikiki, which is just another garden of concrete, but surrounded by astonishing beauty. Driving up to the north of the island, the Haweila region offers rocky and sandy beaches on the world famous North Shore. Every winter surfers from all over the globe gather here to surf the big waves at the Banzai Pipeline. But also there is small part of beach just out of Haweila were Green Sea Turtles usually come ashore to rest, especially during the summer when the surf is not as high. However, we were lucky to see these amazing animals slowly rising out of the ocean to take a nap at the beach. Further up the road there is a tide pool called Sharks Cove, which is a top-notch snorkel spot. But also gives photographers vast opportunities to capture awesome sunsets. So many rock formations, blowing holes and pools to play with here.

Another area that was especially good to capture the sunset was the Hawaii Kai area just below the Dragon Head Crater. Here plates of rocks form blowing holes and just super cool foregrounds to give great photography opportunities. In December the sun will set in the perfect direction and this is a prime spot this time of the year. Thanks to local photographer Hubert Matsuda (IG: @hmatsudaphoto) for showing us this cool area, without your help, I would have never found it.
 
If you want to have  a great aerial overview about Dragon Head and Waikiki there is an outlook just 15 minutes from the beach and easily accessible by car, or by bike if you want a good workout. Best light here might be sunrise, when the buildings of Waikiki are side-lit. From there you can easily head north taking Highway 63, the Pali Highway, which will eventually lead you to the famous Pali Lookout. It is a great spot to view the green “Garden Eden like” northern part of the island which is in contrast to Waikiki and the west of the island, which receive considerably less precipitation being in the lee of the mountains.

Sadly we didn't make it to the top of the Dragon Head Crater which gives you another great view of the Honolulu metropolitan area. Be aware it closes at 6pm year around. I did not that and drove up there 5.40pm just to be denied access, so my sunset spot I had in mind did not work. Driving down and circling around dragon head in easterly direction I found a road-side turnout from which you can easily get down to the beach. The sandy beach is not very interesting, but a little further down a cliff and nice rock formations along with a lighthouse give a pretty good sunset photography spot and got some cool long exposures here, with the light house providing the icing on the cake.
 
I found that during the day the bright light of the high sun is not great for photography and you will have to work with graduated NDs quite a bit for great day shots. But in the morning and evening the light is brilliant and on our last morning on Oahu I found the time to shoot the sunrise at Sandy Beach, just a short 25 minute drive from Waikiki. Being on the windy side of the island I had to fight wind and spray on my filter quite a bit, so be prepared. But the rock formations here are perfectly suited to get some nice cliff waterfalls in soft morning light and bringing your ND-Filters will give you lots of opportunities to get creative with long exposures here. I had to climb up a rock, just to protect my camera from being splashed by huge waves that were breaking on the cliffs.