Help Needed with June Hawaii Trip

Hello Folks!!

After years of saving and planning, I have finally committed I have confirmed tickets to HNL coming in on 6/3 and departing 6/8. We're at the Hilton on Waikiki. I am of course travelling with the wife and 3 kids so I really need to plan my shoots so as not to interfere with (or least interfere) with family time.

Will probably NOT have a car because hotel charges $30/day for parking and I have heard every where else you go is just as bad. I know land's limited, but damn! I was told to get a bus pass for a week and that the bus system is pretty good there.

I know there's bunches of you in HI, so I would really appreciate it if you could give me pointers on how, when, and where to go to expand my (still amateur) portfolio and also be able to take cute pics for wife's FB I'd really like to shoot big crashing waves if possible. Got the Big Stopper ready as well for the sunrises and sunsets. Any big rockpiles/lighthouses along the beaches where I could go for sunrise and sunsets?

Thinking I should finally dump the 5Dc and the 5D2, get a refurb 5D3 and take that along with the 7D. I have less than a month to plan everything. I need all the help I can get!!

Hey, if anyone needs a second shooter during those days; I can hook up Check out my work in the signature links.

Thanks a bunch!!

Freddy Khan

Oahu is cool but depending what you want to do (ie stay in the urban area) I think a car is a must.

Which Hilton?

http://www.hilton.com …estinations/haw​aii-hotels

The Hawaiian Village on Waikiki beach

My wife is kinda a shopaholic, but I should be able to find equal time between urban/dining, and scenic/nature stuff .... I hope

The Hawaiian Village is a winner.

When you check in ask for the Rainbow Tower on the Diamond Head side on a high floor. Tell them at check in that you are a photographer. I just give them my business card and ask for the best room to shoot from.

If you are Hilton Honors don't stand in line at check in go to the right where they check in only HH.

At the entrance to the village you will find city buses.

Up front in the Hotel you will find an area where they sell tours.

Taxi cabs are at the check in area.

On Friday night June 7th there will be fireworks on the village grounds.

Plenty of things to do, rent paddle boats at the lagoon, swim in the main pool or in the pacific.

Plenty of shopping at the village or take a bus to the International Market.


Hundreds of photo ops everywhere. I have several cameras but I prefer to travel light. The last trip I took 5d2 and 24-105 and 16-35. Shot 90% with the 24-105.

Have fun.

Thanks for the info Denny ..

I called and checked; we are unfortunately in the other tower which is somewhat shorter and the Rainbow tower obstructs it somewhat so getting a Crater view may be hard. I will ask to be placed on the highest floor possible though.

I am HH, so I'll follow your suggestions, thanks!

I have a 24-105 and do plan to take it, but I could also rent a 17-40 for 6 days from lensrental for $70 delivered to the hotel and returned there too; so that's another option. I am still deciding about getting a 5D3 because I don't want to go into battle with an untested/untrained weapon, so ...

The full moon is on the 23rd of June, so that's a bummer

Other than that I just wanna find some big waves and some nice waterfalls so I can break out some filters. Also thinking about a Lee Sunset filter set ... gah!!

Thanks so much for the info

Freddy Khan ..

For big waves and a more laid back vibe, I would go to North Shore. You would want a car, if only for a day. It's on the opposite side of the Island from Waikiki.

Winter surf season is over. You'll be lucky to see 1-3 foot waves on the North Shore. Go to surfnewsnetwork.com to check out the surf forecast.

^^That makes since, I have only been there from October-January. ^^

Ha ha .. for a Kentucky boy that site's full of surfer lingo

Thanks for the tip!!

I've been to Oahu enough times that I have no interest in going back. You need a car! Unless all you want to do is sit on the beach, shop and shoot urban fragments, you will need to get out of Waikiki. You can do day tours with a group but, you will be back at the hotel before sunset. If you aren't shooting during the magic hours, the sun in Hawaii is pretty harsh. All those waterfalls you see in the tourist brochures are a decent drive and a good hike away and most are not on Oahu anyway.

I am going to the big island for the last week of May. I will be with my wife and some friends, none of whom are into photography. I am bringing my 5D2, 17-40L, a tripod, a hard grad and 10-stop ND. The only shots I intend to make will be long-duration sunsets on the shores. The rest of the time I will be carrying a Gopro Hero3 and shooting shorts of all our activities.

Bob

Hey Bob .. I saw your horse pics; outstanding!! You should visit Lexington, the horse capital of the world

Understand what you said about Oahu. I will be getting up early to catch the sunrise and sunsets, and I have already planned to rent and maybe keep a vehicle for 2/3 days so we can do the windward side and the north beaches. I'll try to drag the family along but you never know with these pre-dawn outings I have also scoped out Makapu'u Light House which looks to be the easternmost corner of the island; I'll try to catch a sunrise there. I think there's another light house at Barber's Point beach park and it's a western edge so maybe a sunset there. Diamond Head Beach Park may be a good spot for a sunset as well. Will be doing a lot of Google maps to find interesting spots. Haven't looked for waterfalls yet.

I'm not into sucba or anything, but wouldn't mind some snorkeling. I want to try some underwater shots too and was thinking about renting a GoPro underwater camera.

The whole dang place is a big beach; what exactly is the exit on 83 that is the main "North Shore"?

Freddy ..

Wish I could be of help but I'm on the Big Island and won't make it to Oahu until next month for work. Now, if anyone is heading to the Big Island give me a shout! I've found a lot of 'old Hawaii' type places that are killer and will be happy to share them with you.

Freddy...don't leave ANYTHING of value in the car for any reason. Not even something hidden under the seat. The thieves are as thick as thieves. People will break out your window to steal a pack of smokes...I've seen it happen on the Big Island.

Thanks for that advice Ron; I am reading in quite a few places about this problem and will make sure we abide. From what I understand, there's an influx of druggies/bums from the mainland due to the steady/pleasant weather and they've become a nuisance. Since I plan to going to some remote areas, early in the morning (with or without family), I'd just like to know if I should worry about personal safety and/or the equipment or cash/stuff I'll have in my possession?