Farewell

This will be Honolulu Photo of the Day's last post before signing off. Thank you all for viewing this blog and making it such a joy to post everyday. All of your staunch support and comments throughout the sunny days, rainy days, and the holidays, has been a delight. It's time to move on and so here's a big ALOHA to you and I'm gonna go surfing!

Thank you,

Roland

Shadow Baseball?

Shadow boxing? Well what about shadow baseball? I cloned out all of the players to get my own idea of what shadow baseball looks like. It looks like a phonograph with dark notes of people.

Snap!

 

Diamond Head, Waikiki, Ala Wai, with  a snap of a finger. 

Fairlady

On this day Fairlady was out of her element needing to be repaired.

Built into the Ocean

Behind the chain and lock is the Waikiki Natatorium, an Olympic size pool built into the Pacific Ocean. Although condemned for years due to safety concerns, it was once a place where famous Hawaiian, Duke Kahanamoku used to compete in swimming events.

No Hermit

This crab is no hermit although it is a hermit crab living large in his coconut shell on a deserted island.

Jellyfish

Like yesterday's post, my favorite things to look at are the invertebrates at the Waikiki Aquarium, for their rich color and for their odd forms.

Inverts at the Waikiki Aquarium

Although there are many things to like about the Waikiki Aquarium in Honolulu, my favorite are the invertebrates. The hues are vibrant and as brilliant as if they were Photo shopped. 

On the Catwalk

With her toes on the edge of the catwalk, she paused just long enough for the angelfish to catch a glimpse of her hibiscus-red painted toenails before making a dizzying pirouette back to the beach.

"Good Old Shoe"

This line up of shoes reminds me of the movie Wag the Dog starring Robert Deniro and Dustin Hoffman. By hurling "good old shoes" onto power lines and on top of trees, it branded a symbol of all American patriotism.

The State Fish

Humuhumunukunukuapuaa! Say that five times fast... That is the Hawaii State fish graffiti on a wall in heart of downtown Honolulu. I've always wondered what that tank was used for and my best guess is for water back in the early 1900's.

Cool Breeze, Sunshine, Low Humidity

 

Today was a day of cool breeze, sunshine, and low humidity. This is a view of Waikiki from the Ala Wai canal of the kind of weather that we had in Honolulu. 

Warmth in Waianae

A little rain and the mountains begins to grow green in Waianae. While the rest of Honolulu was windy and rainy today, it was clear on the west side. It felt nice to be in the warmth of the sun for a moment.

Enter or Escape

On March 30th, I hope to have a collection of Red Balloon photos from followers and others to post on this blog. Here's how to do it... I thought that it would be a good project to roam around Honolulu to capture other shots of the Red Balloon but then again, I thought why not offer the idea to all of you beautiful bloggers and photographers out there. The shots would be completely international. If you are interested, please feel free to submit an 8x10 image at 72 dpi via email, of your rendition of the Red Balloon along with the photographer's name and the location (country, city, street) that it was taken. Your photograph with a  credit to the photographer shall be posted on March 30th as a collection and as a tribute to the film. It will be a fun collection that you could be a part of!!!! As my disclaimer, this is not for money and not for profit. It's all in the name of fun!

Email photos to: Roland at flash1357@aol.com

We Have A Dry Spell

There is a dry spell of sunshine throughout the islands and an abundance of wind, rain, and water followed by a bit of zapping lightning and booming thunder. I like it!

The Voyeur

 

Across the way is the Hawaii Theater and in the parking of Mark's Garage  and a wonderful opportunity to capture another Red Balloon image. I call this one, "The Voyeur". 

In 20 days, I'd like to post your picture of your rendition of the Red Balloon being that it would be fun to see what everyone comes up with in their home town. Photo credit will be given to all photographers.

Email: flash1357@aol.com Roland Lee

"Red Balloon"

One nostalgic film that has been personally moving for me is the Red Balloon directed by Albert Lamorisse in 1956. Click on the blue link to see a NY Times critique and a short clip of the film. I was in this alley way lofting this balloon up and a street person blocked me in to tell me that he liked my style. It seemed to have struck a cord with him when I mentioned the movie the Red Balloon and that I was creating my own image and in return he said that he remembered the film as a child, smiled, and moved on.

I thought that it would be a good project to roam around Honolulu to capture other shots of the Red Balloon but then again, I thought why not offer the idea to all of you beautiful bloggers and photographers out there. The shots would be completely international. If you are interested, please feel free to submit an 8x10 image at 72 dpi via email, of your rendition of the Red Balloon along with the photographer's name and the location (country, city, street) that it was taken. Your photograph with a  credit to the photographer shall be posted in 21 days as a collection and as a tribute to the film. It will be a fun collection that you could be a part of!!!! As my disclaimer, this is not for money and not for profit. It's all in the name of fun!

Email photos to: Roland Lee at flash1357@aol.com

Thanks for excepting the challenge!

She was Hungry

She was hungry and in her eagerness to get a bite she whipped her tail into my camera wetting the lens. There was no damage but just this shot.

Color of the Day

The slushy and mushy wet weather continued throughout this day. I got caught in an early morning storm shower even with my parasol. My feet was completely saturated and so was the bottom half of my pants. I did manage to get into dry attire and had remained dry the rest of the day. Blue is the color of the day for lightning streaks and for the rain. I do appreciate the rain and if I didn't have to be at work, I otherwise could have cared less.

Origami Dragon Style

This would have been just another sculpture but when viewed closely, it's a giant origami or Japanese paper doll. It was folded by the Hawaii Origami Club and is on display at the Hawaii State Library. It is perfect library art since dragons are represented in so many children books.

"Cloudy With a Chance of Chicken Soup"

It started out a soggy day and it ended the same way. The clouds loomed overhead and they seemed to have traversed down the Pali mountains as they menacingly hung over the tunnel. With flood watch in effect and rising streams on the Windward side of the island, the day was best enjoyed indoors with a bowl of hot chicken soup.

Horrible Singing at Flamingo

 

On Kapiolani Boulevard and near Ward Avenue still stands the late Flamingo Restaurant. Years ago they served tasty local dishes during the day and at night they turned into a karaoke bar. Memories of too many long island ice teas mixed with horrible singing still brings smiles among those of us who experienced Flamingo at it's peak. There was a Flamingo Restaurant in Kaneohe that recently closed and another one in Pearl City that may be the same restaurant but for certain the above image is the original.

Friendly Fire

There's nothing like a cameraman getting a shot of another cameraman and a guy getting caught in the middle of friendly fire.

Who Spy Who?

At the beginning of the road to the Makiki trails, squawking resonated off the tops of the trees. Pausing a bit to investigate, I noticed something investigating me.

A Maili Plot

A month ago from this vantage point, there wasn't much to see except thick, dry, and brown vegetation. I noticed the beautiful mountainside for the first time today at this site in Maili. So now what... more houses?

Leap of Faith

This little fella placed both his paws in a ready position to take a leap of faith into midair as he fantasized about being the next dynamic super hero. With the wind whipping across his face and his ears pinned back, he imagined himself soaring along Piikoi street dressed with a red cape. Well then again, it's just my fantasy and he's just a handsome dog enjoying the fresh air.

Jazz it Up

It's high noon and business people, HPU students, homeless people, and church goers, cruise through Fort Street Mall. People socializing, having coffee, smoking cigarettes, seeking lunch, having discussions, and walking around aimlessly, gather in groups. Every week, these guys jazz it up outside of the Govinda restaurant entertaining all those who pass by the storefront.

Peekaboo

 

Peekaboo! I caught this shot walking behind grandma and grandchild.

A Reflection of Chungking Express

Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai's   is known for his unique cinematography in film making. He is an auteur whose work stands out aesthetically. My favorite Wong film is Chungking Express where the story takes place in the inner city of Hong Kong. The shot above is a reflection off of a bus window and the couple in the image reminded me of the film.

Pali Pagoda

"The structure was built as a Buddhist memorial. This Japanese pagoda is best viewed from the Pali Highway. Built in 1966, it is a 1.5 times replica of the 16th century Sanju Pagoda of Minami Hokko-ji, Nara, Japan. In 2003 the structure was placed on the Hawai'i Register of Historic Places." http://wikimapia.org/5480450/Sanju-Pagoda-of-Nuuanu

Love's Bakery 163 Years Old

Established in 1851 Love's Bakery is 163 years old. It's been around longer than all of us and making baked goods, mainly bread for the State of Hawaii. It's seen the good times and the bad but one thing is for sure, it's still going strong. The photo was made to look antique. 

Sandpiper- Little Golden Plover

The Golden Plover flies to Hawaii every winter when it's freezing in Alaska and like other animals who migrate south during the snowy season, this bird then flies about 3000 miles back to Alaska. A famous Hawaiian song sung by many of this lovely bird is called Ulili E written by George Keahi and Naope. Click here to hear the song sung by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

`Ulili E - by George Keahi & Naope
Hui:   `Ulili ë (ahahana `ulili ehehene `ulili ahahana) `Ulili ho`i (ehehene `ulili ahahana `ulili ehehene) `Ulili holoholo kahakai ë O ia kai ua lana mälie     Hone ana ko leo e `ulili ë O kahi manu noho `ae kai Kia`i ma ka lae a`o kekaha `O ia kai ua lana mälie     Hone ana ko leo kölea ë Pehea `o Kahiki? Maika`i nö `O ia `äina `uluwehiwehi I hui pü `ia me ke onaona	Chorus:   The sandpiper The sandpiper returns Sandpiper runs along the beach Where the sea is peaceful and calm     The voice of the sandpiper is soft and sweet Little bird who lives by the sea Ever watchful on the beaches Where the sea is calm     The voice of the 'ulili is soft and sweet How are you, stranger? Very well You grace our land Where the sea is always calm
Source: J. Kanoa Martin - This verse is the only extant part of an old mele about birds and their calls, that migrate to Hawaii. The ulili, wandering tattler (heteroscelus incanum) or sandpiper breeds in Alaska and the Yukon and migrates to Hawaii in the winter. Translator unknown, Edited by Dr. Barbara Price, Copyright Criterion Music Corp (http://www.huapala.org/U/Ulili_E.html)

Kill Bill Kendo

This seemed like a scene from Kill Bill but it's a Kendo class at the Japanese Cultural Center. Students young and old study this discipline on a weekly basis. It was exciting to see those swords in action as they struck each other at lightning speeds.

Nuuanu and Pauahi

On the left is Mark's Garage, on the right is Hawaii Theater, and down the center is Pauahi Tower. Taken from Nuuanu and Pauahi Street on a windy evening when the sun was on it's way down.

Great Expressions

Happy President's Day weekend everyone. I especially liked the expressions in this photo that was again taken with the Brownie. Although the woman with the hat appears as if she's flexing her arm, she's looking at her cell phone. The guy in the green  smiling seems to be amused at her pose. The hairstyle and the fashion of the woman with the handbag made this photo look like it was taken from an earlier time period like the 70's although it was taken two weeks ago at the Punahou Carnival. When I look at this picture, it evokes a feel of a California beach and boardwalk for me.

Double Exposure

Another photo from the Brownie Hawkeye. It's a double exposure and without any adjustments. Out of all of the photos on this roll of film, this was probably the most interesting.

My Brownie Film

Here is a photo from my classic Brownie Hawkeye, a 1950,s medium format camera. It was taken at the Punahou Carnival 2012 and if I had to guess, it's of grandma taking her grandchildren around. The photo hasn't been adjusted so the black bar at the bottom was due to poor winding of the film. Despite that, it captures a moment and one that looks like it was taken years ago with a vintage feel. I thought of posting the outtakes on facebook but since film is all about waiting for the results, more photos from this roll of film to come in the days ahead.

Photo on the Fly

I caught this photograph on the fly while exiting Maunakea Marketplace. Because of motion blur, it looked best as a sepia image. This woman was just waiting around in her kiosk for a customer or two.

Edible Dress

Happy Valentine's Day! Cake Works near the University of Hawaii makes cakes for all occasions and on display was this edible dress... perfect for the sexy Valentine's evening wear.

The Old Man at Amy's Place

 

The wall next to Amy's place used to be red brick, then it was painted over gray and it peeled and now... The old man sitting under the sign added character to the facade.

On a Sunday

On a Sunday afternoon with not a care in the world, these kids were just enjoying life.

Woody

Happy Saturday! How's this classic beauty with wooden doors and panels parked in downtown?

Ships Crossing

Ships crossing at this intersection.

There for the Taking

 

Coming up with a photo of the day everyday is a challenge especially when I run out of fresh ideas, and then... the photo of the day creates itself. The image is there for the taking and all I had to do was depress the shutter and POP! 

Funeral procession for Officer Garret Davis who was killed while on duty in an auto accident. Thank you Officer Garret Davis for your dedication and commitment as a police officer. RIP

Anytime I see a pineapple, it reminds me of the largest pineapple in the world that was once located in Iwilei,  Kakaako. Although it has been dismantled, the iconic Dole pineapple water tower stood proud and tall and it could be seen from most vantage points in Honolulu from as far as Diamond Head. Years ago we bought a white ceramic pineapple water jug to remind of us of that tower.

Through the Viewfinder

A shot of the downtown post office was taken through the viewfinder (ttv) of an analogue twin reflex camera. The image is from a digital camera that was pointed though a Kodak Duaflex III. The marks on the viewfinder are desired for the antique look.

Simplicity

Happy Superbowl Sunday! Sometimes the finest things are the simplest ones that are unexpectedly found if we are open to seeing.

Childhood Dreams and Fantasy

Capturing the fun and joy in the eyes of these four girls on a helicopter ride at the Punahou Carnival was absolute amusement for me. Although a bit grainy and fuzzy, it captures the dizzying feeling of games, fun, childhood dreams, and fantasy. If only life was always as simple and fun as a carnival ride.

Rides, Cotton Candy, Candied Apples, Games

 

 Carnivals are always fun with rides, cotton candy, candied apples, and games. Once a year, Punahou School puts on a carnival that brings together the community and people from all around town. I brought my Brownie Hawkeye to take some film shots and if they're any good after development, you'll get a peek.