Over the holidays my best friend from growing up came to visit with her kids! It is always fun to catch up with them, last time I saw them was when I visited them in Boston. They live in California now and it is reason #378 to get over there for a visit as fast as I can.
Little heart sized mochi crunch, could there be a better snack at the beach?!
Look at this guy….so much joy. He was like this the entire 2 hours we were there. We had to drag him away.
This kind of fun only ends in sand EVERYWHERE…..for DAYS!
I was able to go to a friend’s wedding last month, it was good to sit back and relax, to enjoy a wedding apart from being behind the lens all day. But then their first dance happened and my camera was glued to my face….. it’s just the way they look into each other’s eyes that always gets me!
As I went to post these pictures I came across some pictures of the brides ‘papa’ who gave a beautiful blessing through Hawaiian chant that day. Tragically less than three weeks after the wedding he was taken in a tragic accident. Any untimely death is so difficult and this one touched a large community on this island.
I also experienced a very untimely death in my family this last year and I learned first hand how every photo of that loved one becomes precious to the family.
I was going back and forth about whether to post about this or not, death isn’t easy to talk about, but I decided to because it reminds me of the reasons why photography is so important to me, . This is why I do what I do, because images REMAIN. They retain all the details of their LIFE.
The images are also here to remind us that those around us right now are more precious than we often treat them. They must be embraced, thanked, spoiled, complimented and remembered often so that they know we love them.
Watch this music video, in an interesting way it’s connected to all of this for me.
It is so touching and really…. I never use that word, but it is.
One of the things I determined to do when moving back to Maui was to find my way to Hana more often. There are many reasons, but most of them can’t be quite understood till you go. This was my fifth trip from this last year so I can certainly say mission accomplished. My brother came home for Christmas and so we took off for the day!
This was a quick…..stop before I get sick all over your car kind of stop.
And this was a quick…… stop I need some of that chipotle chocolate ice cream made out of coconut kind of stop.
The familiarity of Hana this year really helped me go beyond the sort of typical pictures I would take in Hana.
We missed my other brother who couldn’t make it out from LA this Christmas. Hana makes him happy too.
The weather is in Hana is so sporadic and fun in the winter, driving around one bend it’s pouring rain and then the next bend it will be perfectly sunny.
My sister took this picture. It’s my favorite. I think it was an accidental picture, but this was quite the lovely accident because it really has the feeling of the view you get as a passenger on the way to or from Hana side.
Waiting for a rental car on the Big Island. Waiting to compete. Waiting for Rocco who was getting us our Escalade. Not really. Waiting to become a Level 4 State Champion. Waiting to get her kip for Level 5 greatness.
I also made a little video….just in case this is not enough firework eye candy!
New Years 2012 video
I hope you all had a Christmas full of family love, happy tradition, hope and few meaningful gifts to enjoy. I just got done skype-ing with my brother in LA and remembered these little guys that I wanted to share with you before the thought of Christmas is long gone. It was my first real Pinterest idea that came to life. Follow me at ajjakea if you would like, I upload original pins not just recycle others!
These were a little time consuming but so fun especially to share them with all my gymnasts for their Christmas party. We had a White Elephant gift exchange which some of the kids had never played before. 
I have never been much for words. Words are not my ‘go to’ source of expression. It’s why I found dance at a young age and also why I instinctively chose photography. No words required. However sometimes words or lack of words doesn’t do enough to express a feeling inside. Yes I am saying these images are not enough for you to understand. This is the case with Hana, the east side of Maui, the true back country of the island. It’s holds a certain weight of emotion, heavy with memories and nostalgia. I am so blessed, even though it’s a trek, it really is in my backyard.
Here is little Ivy. She likes the camera. A lot. But what I think she is saying is that she likes me. Maybe that is why she growls at me!
My tent is the one in the back. Mattress and all! If you can get used to the constant wind in Kipahulu camping is a dream. 
Ivy making her first s’more ever with grandma!
The list of important events that I have shared with this family is very long. They know me, they know how to make me laugh and they know how to take care of me. And they know a few too many ugly stories about me!
This is the picture I took right before I lost my hat to the wind. It was worth the loss.
Nah! I neva wen lose um!
I climbed down the lava rocks, despite the sign that says drowning is a once in a lifetime experience and got, what is now a really cool rescued hat!
How big should I enlarge this? I want it big on my walls!
Headed to Kanaha yesterday before our feast and it was so fine! Walking with family, walking with the dogs, walking with my camera and walking in the warmth of the sun. After years in many different places and homes for Thanksgiving it nice to be here not wondering what it would be like if I was here.
indulging today in simple pleasures. family. food. inspiration. guidance. beauty. hope. sun.
maybe they are more complex than simple?
complexly simple.
toughest choice today: pumpkin pie with ice cream or whip cream?
