A Photo Chick's Journal in Paradise

Mr. and Mrs. 'Oiwi!

On May 8, 2009, my happy feet in their purple Cinco de Mayo Crocs attended and photographed my dear friend, David Kim's wedding in Kailua.

Please keep in mind, that I don't normally wear Crocs to a wedding however, this was a special one since it was taking place at Dave's childhood home located on Kailua Beach.

I met with Dede, his fiance, for the first time at a rental home located down the street from the ceremony site. I immediately fell in love with this girl and her 'ohana!!!

Dede is so sweet, kind and beautiful...inside and out!

After photographing Dede and her 'ohana, my Cinco de Mayo Crocs and I walked over to the Kim residence to get ready for the ceremony.

Here's my friend and happy groom, David Kim, Mr. 'Oiwi himself!!!

I LOVED seeing Dave so happy!!!  

As soon as I I met Kahu Kapono'ai Molitau I was taken by his beautiful energy...

It was definitely going to be a very special ceremony...

I treasure moments like these...

I loved that during the exchange of vows, as Dede cried with joy,

her father, who stood right next to her, wiped her tears away.

I'm sure in his eyes, Dede will always be his little girl...

I loved that the parents were involved with the ceremony by wrapping the Kapa around Dave and Dede, joining them as one.

It was such an awesome ceremony!!!

We did a few formals right after with family and friends.  

Check out how windy it was! You can see the wind glider thing right behind the Wedding Party!

Look at how happy Dede is!!! I LOVE IT!!!

Here's the 'Oiwi crew!!!

Quick shots on the beach with Mr. and Mrs. 'Oiwi...

Despite the overcast and windy afternoon at Kailua Beach everything was perfect  for Dave and Dede's wedding!

Mahalo nui loa, Dave and Dede, for the wonderful and sweet time at your wedding!   Thank you for letting me be a part of your special milestone.  I wish you both much joy, harmony and love!!!

Green Goddess Drink

This afternoon, I returned to the world of juicing!  With my trusty Jack Lalanne Juicer and Vitamix I created the Green Goddess Drink:

Here are the ingredients:

• Cucumber
• Celery 
• Kale 
• Apple 
• Pear 
• Carrots 
• Ginger 
• Lemon 
• Advocado 
• Flax 
• Choco Protein 
• Ice   

I make sure to wash all the fruits and veggies with Biokleen's Produce Wash which helps to remove chemical sprays, waxes and soil.  

All of the fruits and veggies are juiced except for the advocado, choco protein, flax and ice.

It's a delicious and healthy meal!  My body thanks me every time she has this delightful and nourishing drink!

Congratulations, Josh!

Sending out a big congratulations out to Josh, one of the young men who recently graduated from Damien High School in Honolulu!!!

A big congratulations also to the Asuncion 'Ohana who has done tremendous job raising this young man!

Congrats to the Class of 2009!!!

I love this deodorant!

I just wanted to share with all of you that this is one of my fave deodorants.  It really bummed me out that Coty stopped making it! Fortunately, I just discovered I had an extra one while trying to find my whitening trays for my teeth.  

With that being said, I found a lot of 3 of these sticks on eBAY!!!!  It cost me about $9 each. Hey! A girl's gotta do what a girls gotta do!!!

MAHALO, eBay!!!

A Warrior Princess with Lip Gloss

Today is a very special day!

First of all, what makes us different from men?  Well, one of the most significant things would have to be our uterus!   

May 21st of every year is extremely special because one of my most bestest friends ever, soul sister and fellow artist, Debbie Friedrich, celebrates her hysterectomy which took place over 10 years ago!

Today, I celebrate you, my dear sweet friend, who with just A partial ovary, was able to conceive, bear and have two beautiful daughters!

Today, I celebrate, not what was taken from you but what you were left with which is your tenacious, fighting, compassionate and loving spirit!

I celebrate the beautiful woman who has handled the many adversities in her life with such strength and grace.  Becoming one of the most inspiring, respected and passionate women who I know and love...

Kanu Hawai'i at Ala Moana!!!

So remember back in February of this year I did this shoot with Rae Huo?

http://tinyurl.com/q7z5hf

Okay, so here's the result of that shoot:

I was sooooo delightfully surprised to see this humangous Duratrans at Ala Moana!  Ad2 Honolulu and Rae Huo did such an awesome job.  The Kanu Hawai'i Campaign is in full force and I'm looking forward to seeing all of you sign up and become members!

I'd like to send a big MAHALO NUI LOA out to Kanu Hawai'i and A2 Honolulu for allowing me to be a part of this special project.  

And I'd also like to thank my sistah, Michelle (aka Honey Babe) for being with me to see this ad for the first time in real life!  So glad she was there to catch me from being over startled.  It's not easy seeing a life size image of yourself! Yikes!

Safeway's Waterfront Bistro

Once again, another post to remind you of my cooking skills. Yep, the "I Can Only Cook Rice" Chef makes another discovery!

So tonight was one of those nights where I couldn't figure out what to make for dinner. As I walked through the frozen seafood section at Safeway I noticed this sign:

Vacuum packed PRE-SEASONED frozen seafoods from Waterfront Bistro!  They had a variety of fishes from Cod to Tilapia to Salmon.  And I think I even saw shrimp and scallops.   "Hmmmm...this looks interesting?" I thought to myself.

I was in the mood for salmon (which is one of the most HEALTHIEST fishes to eat) and they did have a salmon entree I could try...

So I decided, "why not?"

Here's what I selected:

There are two vacuum sealed and seasoned fillets in each package:

It's pretty easy to cook!  Pre-heat the oven to 425 degrees, place the fishes on the pan covered with foil (skin faced down).  Oh yeah! I thought you'd like to see about how big the pieces are:

And about 20 - 25 minutes later you've got your meal!

I had it with a some low glycemic brown Basmati rice and steamed spinach.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how tasty it was and how quick it was to "prepare."

I'm excited to try the other selections they have!

Max's First Sunrise at Lanikai

Wow!  What a beautiful Thursday morning to shoot at Lanikai!

I was meeting the Ferrer 'Ohana for a sunrise shoot.  Along with them came their good friends, Melanie and Casey.

Nicole had discovered my work through Facebook.  Yes, I'm a Facebook fan and you can find me under Geralyn Camarillo!  

Okay, so Nicole, Sean and their eight month old son, Max, wanted to do a photo shoot while they were back on island for vacation. Might I add that I'm proud to say that Nicole is a Spartan Alumni (hollah!).  

Max was born in Washington State so this was his first time to Lanikai Beach!  

It was a perfect sunrise morning:

We were all so grateful that it wasn't voggy!!

During family shoots I like to take time to do all sort of other shots. For instance, let's not forget where this all began...

There's beautiful mommy (in fact, this is a great time for Facebook Profile photos, people!)...

and handsome Daddy...

And then of course, Mommy AND Daddy!!!

And if an auntie or uncle are there to assist and enjoy the morning, we'll get them involved as well! In true Hokuli'i style, NO ONE gets left behind!!

I love this shot of Nicole and Melanie. They're BFFs from Seattle University. Goooo Bellarmine Hall Girlz!

When I'm shooting with babies and toddlers I know that our window of Happy Time is extremely brief. 

We just roll with whatever way they're feeling!

At this age, EVERYTHING is magical to them! It's a good reminder for all of us that it's still a great way to look at our world. With awe and wonderment...

Speaking of awe and wonderment...may I just share with you that even my friend's dog, Koa, who just happen to be on the beach that morning, is always curious about everything!

Check out this routine he has on the beach. He likes to dig up the crab holes until he gets deep enough to scare a crab out of hiding!

Isn't that just crazy??? Look at that crab holding his own! You go crabby!!!

Okay, where was I...oh, yes! Awe and wonderment...

So here's Max feeling so much better without his cumbersome shirt and shorts. See that? A true local boy!

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!!!

This is a sign to take a dip in the ocean with mommy and daddy!

Warmer than Seattle's frigid waters but still a little too cold this morning!

That's okay, peeps. Max is still a happy boy!!!

MAHALO NUI LOA, Max, Nicole, Sean, Melanie and Casey for a wonderful sunrise shoot at Lanikai Beach! It was super hanging with you and I can't wait to see you again the next time you visit!

Max's Sunrise at Lanikai

Good morning, Thursday!!!

This is the studio God provided me to work at this morning...

What a beautiful way to start my Thursday!!! Mahalo, Ke Akua!!!

My Very First Animoto Video!

Check out Lia and Andy's images Animoto style!!!

Lia and Andy

I'd like to share with you my first engagement (pilialoha) session for the month of May taken on one of my most favorite days of the year - May Day!

Please meet Lia.  Lia is a sister to Alika, my groom for May 2nd's wedding!

And this is her handsome fiance, Andy.

Two very sweet people.

When put together you have one SWEET couple!

Congratulations on your engagement, Lia and Andy! I am soooo honored to be photographing your wedding in September!!!

WD Caviar and a little BlacX

I purchased my first 1TB SATA drive.  ONE TERABYTE!!! Who would have ever thought!  

Because I'm a RAW shooter, I use up a lot of hard drive space.  Hence the 1TB by Western Digital Caviar Green. This hard drive is eco friendly because of it's reduced power consumption. It's cool and quiet. 

I bought this drive from www.newegg.com.  I think it was like $89.99 or something wonderful like that!

Until I can afford my very own Drobo unit, I opted for this BlacX to read my drive (Mahalo to bruddah Aaron Bernard of Liquid Light Images for turning me on to this!):

It's great because this docking station can also read my older SATA drives. You know like the one that was in Edna before she passed on?

Here's the hookup:

 Very simple!  And I just hope and pray that:

1) No geckos decide to chill out on it for warmth

2) The humidity in Kane'ohe doesn't get to the components

So far so good, peeps!!!

Congratulations, Dave and Dede!

Just wanting to send a big CONGRATS out to Dave and Dede of 'Oiwi Ocean Gear who tied the knot in beautiful Kailua!

Aunty's Day

I was so delighted to receive this precious note from one of my nephews, KC Boy.  Although I may not be a mother with children, I am a mother to my beloved pets and most importantly an auntie to many special nephews and nieces. 

I love this sweet reminder of how I LOVE being an auntie!  

MAHALO KC Boy and to all my little and big loves out there!!!

Mother's Day Sunbutter

OMG!  Today I was introduced to a new healthy treat:

 

Thanks to my dear friend Debbie Friedrich, who introduced this product to my other dear friend, Arna, while she visited with Deb in San Diego recently.

Check this out:

You can find this alternative to peanut butter at Whole Foods. I'm unsure if Down to Earth has it but you can give them a try as well.

Yummy stuff on Mother's Day, gang!!!  

Puakenikeni Leis in Kane'ohe

After a very invigorating one hour walk at Ho'omaluhia this afternoon (I had to work off a delish Hokulani Red Velvet Cupcake), I saw this sign in the neighborhood while driving home:

You know, I just really appreciate signs like these. It's a sweet rustic reminder of what makes Hawai'i soooo special!  This was a good reminder for me to prep for Mother's Day so I decided to pick up a couple of leis for tomorrow.

And there they were! Sitting there, waiting to be picked up.  Their sweet scent wafting through the air. There were two bags left. PERFECT! Just what I needed!   

I was so happy and proud to buy from a local family, here in my backyard town of Kane'ohe, therefore, reducing my carbon footprint by not driving into town!

My Amulet

I received a special gift from a friend of mine today.  I wanted to share this with you!

Here's what the little slip of paper said explaining the well known Yin Yang symbol read:

" Yin-Yang: a Chinese symbol of Taoist philosophy, a symbol of eternal existence and equilibrium in all the Universe, due to the balance of the opposing elements in Yin and Yang.  

White Yang - the masculine sign: active, day, symbol of heaven from which life came down, the endowing fertility, power of creating, domination, activity.

Black Yin - the feminine sign, passive, night, symbol of Mother Earth from which life springs, birth-giving fertility, destruction, dependence,. Symbol of life existing due to the balance of opposing forces.  Restores health and energetic balance of the organism."

Isn't this cool! I think it's safe to say that most of us are trying to achieve balance in life.  

It was so heart and soul warming to receive such a special reminder....

Cinco de Mayo, Crocs and Asagi Hatchery

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone!  Another voggy day in Hawai'i nei!

However, that doesn't put a damper on a beautiful, productive day for Hokuli'i Images!

Today I was determined to get through my "To Do" list.  One of the items on that list was to buy my first pair of Crocs!  Many of my peeps know that I've been hemming and hawing about getting  a pair of these things.  Going on and on about "what color should I get", "what style," "will it make my feet look fat??" etc.  Well, I'm proud to say that I finally did it!

I purchased these cool royal purple Beach Crocs from City Mill in Kane'ohe. I just love City Mill! It's locally owned and they have all sorts of cool stuff besides hardware and gardening products.

Crocs are like you either love them or you dislike them.  My BSS in San Diego is most likely thinking, "Ger, what were you thinking???"  And I would counteract in saying, "But Deb! They're so comfy!!!"  I don't know what it is but I've ALWAYS been fascinated by them!

Okay, so I got my Cinco de Mayo Crocs on and headed straight over the hill to Asagi Hatchery in Kalihi. 

I've been helping to care for an abandoned chick by the name of Kapa.  (I think you've seen her in my previous posts.) Well, I've learned from a couple of true chick Chicks (my girlfriends, La and Ilima) that it would be best that Kapa had a companion. So thanks to these two chicken fans, they sent me over to Asagi Hatchery.

I could tell by the weathered signs that this business has been a part of the Kalihi landscape for many, many years.  Actually about 74 years to be exact. They've been here since 1935!

They are the only commercial hatchery in Hawai'i.

OMG!  I totally loved this sign. I can't help it! It's my proud pinay blood that runs through my veins!

So me and my lovely new Crocs stepped into the store with anticipation and enthusiasm! 

I scanned the area with excitement!  My eyes wandered slowly at all the signs that were hanging on the wall and all the various garden items they had for sale.

I love that they sell organic!  And that they're promoting self reliance (sustainability or whatever you want to call it) by selling organic seeds!

I enjoyed looking over the photos that clients have sent to the hatchery. Proud chicken parents who love their fowl and Asagi Hatchery!

And there in the window were the fuzzy little loves all aglow under the warming lamp...

Ahhhh....

I was greeted by Sharene Asagi, the office manager with so much ALOHA!  She and her granddaughter, Chanel, helped me to make my first chick purchase.  

And here we have our first Asagi chick! She is a Rhode Island Red x Leghorn. Which in chicken lingo means that she's a layers chick and will have eggs.  PERFECT!

Isn't she sweet???? She was making quite a fuss which totally concerned me.  All these questions started racing around in my mind!  What if Kapa doesn't like her and then she'd be so lonesome? Why is she chirping so much???  I wonder if I should have a margarita today??  

After much thought, a quick conference call to the team, we decided that yes!  It would be best to get this chick a companion chick as well!  (So the original companion chick for Kapa is now getting her own companion chick...savvy?)

So they are!

Sharene and Chanel even helped me to the car! How is that for sweetness and GREAT Customer Service???

I love family run businesses in Hawai'i.  I think it is extremely important to support local!  To me Asagi Hatchery is very special since:

 1) They've been a part of Hawai'i for decades

 2) It's operated by the 'ohana (Sharene is grandmother to Chanel. I also got to meet one of Sharene's daughter's Maxie who also helps to run the business and who's birthday just happens to be TODAY! Happy birthday, Maxie!)

3) They're promoting something that we all should be looking into if you have the time and space to do it. C'mon, peeps! Our own fresh eggs! There's NOTHING like them!!!

4) They are the sweetest, kindest and patient people ever!!!

MAHALO NUI LOA to Sharene and Chanel for making my chick buying experience so fun. You were both so patient and understanding. I hope to be back to visit with you again!!!

And to my chicken mentors, La and Ilima. You two are such amazing people!! Thank you for teaching me about these beautiful creatures.  They really are a joy and your mana'o, concern, and excitement are soooo appreciated!

So here they are everyone!  Our Cinco de Mayo Chicks!

I'm sure I'll be writing more about them in the near future!  I'll keep you posted on their growth and how Kapa will take to them.  Stay tuned...

Happy 2009 Graduate - Chelsea!

As I made my way into Kailua this afternoon, I noticed all the VOG hovering in our island air:

I kind of wondered if it would cause any kind of issues during my two shoots this afternoon.  

The first one being with Chelsea, a graduating senior!

Chelsea's mom found out about me through Kanani Herring's mom.  And what a treat it was to photograph this young woman!!!

These images were taken at the Kailua Boat Ramp and Kailua Beach Park.

Fortunately the VOG and cloud cover were very advantageous as it diffused the afternoon sunlight for us.  I love working in diffused light!

You can really see the VOG in this image. The Mokulua islands would usually be "popping" more on an afternoon like this however, they're still majestic!

It's kind of a good thing sometimes when you have VOG while you're shooting at the beach. There's not much tradewinds so my gals with longer hair have an easier time managing their mane.

Chelsea brought three changes of clothing. All of them being Manuheali'i, a well loved local clothing line here in our islands!

I love learning about these young adults. Their dreams, ambitions...Chelsea has this beautiful energy.  I could tell that she wants to do so much in life!  

She's smart, fun-loving and is extremely sweet and kind! 

With these kind of qualities I know that Chelsea is going to go very far in life!!!

Mahalo nui loa to Loreen and Kevin for raising such a phenomenal young woman!  

Chelsea, MAHALO to you, for your smiles and sweetness! It was a blast photographing you, local girl.  Remember to ALWAYS keep it REAL!!!

Peace out...

Dell Mini Netbook

As you all know, I'm a HUMONGOUS Apple fan!

Tonight, I was a bit in awe of this cool Mini DELL Netbook that my friend La (a fellow Apple follower) shared with me. 

What she loves about it is that it can run Mac's OSX system!  How's that?! And it runs for only like, $300-$350!

Small and portable, I could imagine myself returning emails while soaking up some sun on Lanikai beach or possibly Facebooking from a nearby Starbucks while people "oooh and awed" over this cute little laptop asking me if they could play with it in exchange for a low fat Thai latte or something. I'm down with that! 

Okay, so maybe it could also be the Mojito making this mini computer look so good.  It's totally something to think about!

Love that Skin, La!