Pack your grass skirts and your SPF; we’re going to Hawaii!  Nothing beats a Hawaiian sunset.  That glowing ball of fire appears so much larger on the horizon here, especially with a Mai Tai in your hand.  Perhaps because of the Mai Tai?  No, I have photographic proof.  So grab that tropical cocktail, light that coconut-plumeria candle, throw on some slack-key music, and get ready to dig your toes into the sand.

Giant Ball of Fire

A large ombre yellow to orange sun dips behind a cloud on a purple and pink horizon hovering above a light blue ocean. Silhouette of palm trees and shrubs sit on the foreground of the image

Good night from Hawaii

A glowing Hawaiian sunset with palm trees silhouetted on a cerulean sky with a sleek cloud hovering as they lean over the water. A lava rock strewn beach glows with the reflection of the setting sun on the water on the sun.

A quintessential Hawaiian sunset.

A vibrant sunset over the dark blue sea. The sun sitting on the left dips halfway below the horizon as it lights up clouds strewn across the horizon in an orange glow.

A vibrant Hawaiian sunset over the sea

A large orange setting sun appears to create a splash of clouds as it sets on the horizon. A silhouette of a jetty sits in the foreground with the silhouette of a tree sits on the right of the image.

A giant setting sun lights up the sky on Kauai

An ombre streaked orange sun glows as it hangs over the horizon with a few clouds streaking in front. A pink tinted blue sky sits above a light blue ocean.

A glowing sun sits on a palate of blues over Hawaii.

See? I told you, the sun is just larger on the islands.

Hanging 10

As you have seen in previous posts and splattered on the site, I have a strong love for the ocean—the infinite world under the sea, as well as all you see on top: waves of every shade of blue and green, daring adventurers surfing, and the peaceful joy of sailing. Growing up in New Mexico, being the surfing mecca it isn’t, I was not fortunate enough to learn to surf. So, I live vicariously through those who do.

A large blue wave rolls in in the distance with the silhouette of a surfer riding on the top as the sky with clouds is lit up in orange from the setting sun as it sets on a bank of clouds. The glistening orange sands sparkle in the foreground.

Riding that last wave of the day.

Blown highligts lighting up the sea and a large wave rolling in onto the beach with the silhouette of s surfer carving on the wave.

Ocean’s aglow as he catches a wave

A warm pink sky glows above the purple silhouette of the cliffs in the background with a turquoise barrel wave rolling in and a surfer riding just at the lip of the barrel. White foamy water fills teh foreground.

Catching barrels as night approaches.

A yellow sky glows over a pink silhouetted hills as a large emerald green topped wave sparkles with the setting sun lighting up the back. Sea spray lights off the top of the wave blowing back behind. A surfer rides the middle of the wave.

A surfer catches a sun-lit emerald green wave on a gorgeous summer afternoon.

A yellow glow lights up the entire image giving a retro feel. A large blue wave with sea spray blowing off the top crests as a surfer rides near the top on the far right of the wave with roiling white waves un the foreground.

Retro Vibes

On top of the Sea

I love sailing on the sea, especially along the Na Pali Coast. Watching dolphins spin with delight and feeling the cool ocean breeze and salt spray hitting my face—there is truly no better feeling. Now, sailing at sunset, life could be no sweeter.

White clouds fill the top of a yellow sky with a green and white rolling sea in the lower half of the image. A sailboat sails near a buoy on the top of the sea. A silhouette rock foreground appears to hold up the sea.

There’s a story here.

A spinner dolphin caught in the air nose down with the setting sun glistening off his belly over a blue ocean with water splashes around him.

Dolphin dancing in the sunset.

Light blue skies fade into orange as the sun sets behind a bank of grey clouds that sit on the horizon. White and grey clouds are strewn through the blues and oranges. A silhouette of a sailboat sits on the motion blurred ocean.

Certain images invoke certain songs. This one sings Cool Change to me.

A storybook feel eludes in this image with white with shades of greys puffy clouds top the upper third of the image. The sky is a golden hue of the late afternoon. A silhouette of a sailboat atop a dark blue sea peppered with white waves.

Late afternoon sails

Wedding Bells

While the boys golf, I venture out with my camera. I was sitting on a rock, shooting the setting sun bouncing off waves at this little beach, when I noticed a little ceremony happening.  It’s always a good thing to have a long lens, especially when you inadvertently become the second shooter at a wedding.  It was so fun to watch these two get married.  It was just them, their officiant, and their photographer.  When all was said and done, I went up, congratulated them, and told them I had caught a few shots from a different angle and was happy to email them.  I found out they were eloping from Germany.

Well, there you have it—a small glimpse into the beauty of Hawaiian sunsets. Truly, nothing beats a Hawaiian sunset.

I’ve traveled to all of the Hawaiian islands, but my personal favorite is Kauai. Its lush jungles and slower pace feed my soul. I have to give a shout-out to Blue Dolphin Tours. My family and I have used them many times for snorkel and sunset tours, and each time has been outstanding!

I hope this has lessened your stress and brought you to a peaceful state of mind. If you see an image that speaks to you, listen to it. If it says, “Hang me on your wall,” reach out to me, and we will make that happen. As always, share the joy with friends and sign them up for the blog. Peace out, XO.

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