Reader Photo of the Week archive:

Click on the slideshow frame below to read photo captions and credits. Otherwise, click here to scroll through gallery of past HawaiiMagazine.com Photo of the Week winners.


 

"Surfing at Isaac Hale Beach Park in the Puna District of the Big Island of Hawaii, on another beautifully perfect day."

MARK SINGER, Tempe, Arizona







"My wife Janice and I were along the roadside by a taro field in Hanalei on Kauai, trying to set up for a sunset picture. As I was standing there, I noticed several nene geese—the rare Hawaii state bird—wandering back and forth. Fortunately, I was near an irrigation channel when they happened by again. I was able to crouch down on the channel and get this close-up shot at an upward angle. The green diffused taro leaves provided the perfect backdrop. Right place, right time!"

RUDY CALPO, Sacramento, California







"This is a photo of my wife, Danelle, expressing her love for the Big Island of Hawaii and feeling the rush of one of the tallest mountains in the world, Mauna Kea. We took this photo in January 2009 … and yes, we will be back there this December."

JEFF FERRARI, Linden, California








"My husband and I were staying in Haleiwa on Oahu in April 2009 when this storm rolled in. I grabbed my camera and took this shot, with an unknown couple playing in the ocean."

LEAH VAN OSDOL, Auburn, Washington








"This photo was taken on Molokai in June 2003. My fiance was busy building his fortress against the waves that were crashing down on him. I was busy catching sand crabs on the beach. After hours of playing around, I turned around and saw a perfect shot."

DENISE LAO, Stamford, Connecticut







"This photo was taken on Maui at Haleakala as my friends and I drove down from the summit after sunrise in December 2008. I hadn't noticed I'd bumped the setting on my camera so the shots were all dark. I was disappointed until I saw the photo full screen and decided it made the shot more interesting. It only took seven trips to see Hawaiian nene goose!"

JEANETTE VALLIERE, Knoxville, Tennessee








"This picture was taken at Waikiki beach on my first night in Hawaii. It was the prettiest sunset I had ever seen."
 
CARRIE STANLEY, Beverly, Massachusetts






"This photo of an incoming storm off Laie Point was taken during our stay-cation on the island of Oahu in June 2009.  Seeing the beautiful beaches gave us a greater appreciation for the paradise we call home."
 
LUCY WONG, Honolulu, Hawaii






"I took this picture at the Hotel Hana Maui. We had a great time at the resort. We've been married 35 years and plan to come back before our next 35 years."
 
GARY LANDGRAF, Brentwood, California







"This photo was taken at Kamaole II beach on the last night of our two weeks on Maui. What a beautiful ending to a wonderful vacation."
 
ANNE & ELMER CLOUD, Green Bay, Wisconsin





"The tide was low enough to catch the waves crashing on the rocks near Kapalua on Maui. I managed to set up my tripod for a 10 second exposure, just before sunset. The waves only crashed twice on this spot during the entire sunset. I was really lucky to be there at the right time."
 
CHRISTINE NEWMAN, Calgary, Alberta, Canada







"This is a beach near the Diamond Head lighthouse—a beautiful area we found while exploring on Oahu."
 
JOHN & STACI KENNEDY, Cape Cod, Massachusetts







"This is a picture of my sister-in-law Carole's daughter Patricia on Maui. Almost seven years ago, Carole and her husband Dennis had to cancel their first planned trip to Hawaii after finding out she was pregnant with Patricia. This time, all of them made the trip. It was Patricia's sixth birthday. Of all the pictures they came home with, this one most symbolizes the many fun experiences they had in Hawaii."
 
CAROLE GARRETT, Folsom, California (text by Rudy Calpo, Sacramento, California)







"Taken in October 2007 from the eleventh floor of the Aston Mahana at Kaanapali Beach on Maui, looking toward the island of Lanai. The reflection from the clouds offers a different perspective."
 
JIM HENRY,  Dublin, California




"Our family took its first trip to Hawaii in February—a jaunt around the beautiful island of Kauai. On our third day, we took our 6-year-old son Chance and our 14-month-old son Ryder down to Kauapea Beach on the island's north shore. From its open expanse of sand to its mighty lava rocks and pools, this was by far the highlight of the trip. We took this singular opportunity to baptize Ryder at this intimate and majestic place. My wife caught this picture of me hoisting Ryder upward to face the monumental and dynamic force of the breaking surf within minutes of our pouring water upon his head. To me, it captures the joy and purity of the experience we all shared that day."
 
STEVEN HEWITT




"My wife Mary and I were walking on the beach at the Mauna Lani Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii when we saw a turtle resting on lava offshore. After I set up my camera and tripod to take a picture, another green sea turtle decided to come ashore right in front of us. This photo shows him emerging from the water."
 
DAVID CORY, South Bend, Indiana






"I took this photo from a boat off the coast of the north end of Kauai, looking toward the island of Niihau off in the distance. It reminded me of a story that I was told about how the Hawaiian Islands were populated by voyagers from Polynesia. Those were some long canoe trips. And a distant glimpse of a distant island would be very welcome."
 
KENNETH E. PALLISTER






"This picture was taken at Iao Valley State Park on Maui, in March of 2008. I took it front of a drain ditch, running under a pathway. All of the tourists just walked on by, but I couldn't help notice this location. I love photographing every part of Hawaii, including all those little areas that seem to go unnoticed. I am returning and can't wait to pull out the camera again."
 
CHRISTINE NEWMAN, Calgary, Alberta, Canada






"My husband and I were on Kauai in November 2008 and took a horseback riding adventure in Princeville. We had a great ride, lunch and a dip in the falls! This photo was taken the morning of the ride, just before we set out."
 
DIANE DENYS-HUDSON, Dublin, California







"I took this photo of Molokai on a flight from Maui to Oahu. I was amazed at the clarity with which I could see the other islands! I had just moved back to Hawaii from the Mainland and was just reveling in the beauty!"
 
VANESSA GIFFORD, Honolulu, Hawaii





"This picture was taken on the summit of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii in November 2008. You can see Hualalai mountain in the background. Later that night, Mauna Kea had its first snowfall of the fall/winter season so it was really cold, but so beautiful. One of my favorite places on the island."
 
KATIE KIRCHNER, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii








"This is a photo of my daughter Olivia at the Westin Ocean Resort Villas on Maui. She was fascinated by the koi. Her dress and the contrast of the fish made a beautiful photo."
 
KIM HODSON, Frisco, Texas







"I have taken a lot of pictures in Hawaii but this is the most compelling. My wife and I were busy taking photos on the Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor and were delayed getting in line for the return ride to shore on the ferry. Since we already knew we were going to be in back of the line, we decided to take one last look at the engraved names on the memorial. I’m glad I did. I was lucky to get a quick shot of this young boy by himself with one arm leaning high on a side wall, one foot turned, a baseball cap in hand and in solemn glaze and contemplation."
 
 
RUDY CALPO, Sacramento, California









"We just got back from a trip to Oahu and had a chance to go to the Dole Plantation. This was my daughter's first trip to the islands and I'm sure not the last! She loved seeing the 'baby pineapple' that they had on display at the plantation."
 
 
HEATHER GILL, Scottsdale, Arizona









"We took this photo on our first visit to Waikiki. Actually, our first visit to Hawaii ever. We had a great time. I had been asked often, 'If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?' My answer has always been HAWAII. Finally, in September of this year, we got our chance."
 
 
RICHARD & DEBBY MEERS, Yakima, Washington










"We took this photo of Hanalei Bay and pier after two fabulous weeks on the North Shore of Kauai. This was the day after the fall and winter season’s first big swells rolled in from the faraway Aleutian Islands. The remarkable thing about the scene was that rather than detracting from the view, the misty conditions silhouetted and highlighted the characteristics of the mountains, and made the effect something like being in a dream."It was our third trip to Hawai’i in just over two years. ... I think we’re in danger of becoming obsessed!"
 
 
ANN & JOHN BRODZIAK, Perth, Western Australia








"My seven-year-old son Gage and four-year-old daughter Cayla are usually at odds end. But on Maui, every 'ting' is all right."

LINDA CARILLO-BOSCACCI, Temple City, California









"My wife and I were on the south end of the Big Island on a black sand beach on this particular morning in March 2008. It had just stopped raining when we pulled into the driveway leading away from the beach. To my surprise we found a large pond with trees surrounding and creating a beautiful reflection with the beach beyond."

RUDY CALPO, Sacramento, California







"This was from my first trip to Kauai. On our second day there, we took a fabulous helicopter ride that introduced us to the magic of this island. This photo is just a glimpse of some of the beautiful beaches and mountain ranges on the Na Pali coast.  We were left amazed and speechless."

NATH SAYASANE, Murrieta, California










"This is a photograph of Twin Falls, on the windward side of Maui, off the road to Hana. If you look real close, you can see my son, Travis, in the water under the falls. We hiked up to the falls in beautiful late afternoon light, and before I got my camera set, he was in the water and dunking under the spray."

DON WHITEBREAD, Mountain View, California









"I took this shot in 2004, during our honeymoon in Kauai. A storm had just passed and it left this beautiful sky trailing after it."

PORTIA SODERBERG, Oakland, California









"Maui. August 2008. We knew there would be a waterfall at the end of the trail, but this bamboo forest along the way proved to be just as beautiful. Wow!"

SONNY ESQUIBEL, San Diego, California









"I call this, 'That shot at Baby Beach.' It was taken on Maui. Right place. Right time. My project, 'The Sunsets Wherever I Am," is now complete. I took 366 sunset photos from wherever I was for a whole leap  year."

MISMO, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii








"I took this picture at Iao Valley State Park on my first trip to Maui in October 2007. The youth in the picture found a great pool in the middle of Iao Stream. I had to dip my feet in, too."

DEBORAH WAYNE, Portland, Oregon








"This photo was taken on Maui, on the road to Hana. There were beautiful waterfalls trickling from every corner of the magical  mountain. This was one of them … small but breathtaking."

AUBRIE HARRINGTON, Huntington Beach, California









"We took this photo while we were staying in Waikiki during our 10th anniversary. I walked out on our lanai and gasped so loud I forgot there were 400 other people staying at the hotel! The sight took my breath away, and made for my favorite memory of our trip! We were almost late for our dinner reservations. I could not stop taking pictures. "

ADRIA JONES, Federal Way, Washington








"This is a close-up photo of a tree I saw on the road to Hana, on the island of Maui."

KENNY COHEN, Oceanside, New York









"I live on the Big Island's Kohala Coast, right off a golf course. The plumeria trees were just blooming all over the place.  I took this photo a little bit after sunset."

NOEL HAWKINS, South Kohala, Hawaii







"I took this photo of Makena Beach (also known as 'Big Beach') on Maui in August 2007.  The rain cloud coming toward us, was one of the most magnificent I'd ever seen."

CHRISTINE DILLON, Cromwell, Connecticut








"This picture was taken on Kauai in October 2006. I was enjoying the awesome sunset at Spouting Horn on the southwest end of the island. It's now my desktop photo on my work computer. Everyone who sees it is just amazed by how the photo captures the beauty of the sunsets."

VICTOR GONZALEZ, Chino Hills, California








"Rain storms bring fascinating sky conditions and dramatic lighting. I took this shot of Kauai's Hanalei Valley in February 2008 just after it had stopped raining. I only wished I had captured this with a wide angle lens. My husband beat me to it."

PORTIA BERNALDEZ, Oakland, California







"This was taken at a luau in Lahaina, Maui, in June 2008. My husband and I were celebrating our anniversary, and were front-row-center. We took a lot of photos that night, but this is one of my very favorites. A beautiful dancer, a gorgeous sunset, and magnificent food—all on an amazing island I miss very much."

WENDY WHIPPLE, Matteson, Illinois










"I captured this image at the Paradise Cove luau on Oahu. The performer was lying on his back twirling the fire baton and then just passed it under his knees. The flames are a brilliant contrast to the lighting on the performer’s body."

ALICIA GAHIMER, Indianapolis, Indiana






"This is a photo I shot of some local fishermen who had just begun casting their lines in the sea pond at Liliuokalani Gardens in Hilo. The tide had risen at the oceanside Japanese gardens, and the men looked as though they were fishing in God-like fashion—floating on the water."

ISAAC CRUZ, Marina, California





"This photo was taken at Poipu Beach on Kauai. I was walking along the beach and didn't notice this beautiful Hawaiian monk seal until I was right up upon it. I love the look on his (or her) face.  He looks so peaceful resting in the sand."

SHANNON BERMEL,  New Braunfels, Texas






"We took this photo at D.T. Fleming Beach Park in Kapalua, Maui. It was sunset. The winds were tremendous. And our son James was fooling around after trying to bodysurf on the rough shore."

CAROL BANKS WEBER,  Edmonds, Washington






"Hanalei town—a throwback to Hawaii of old, with its lush taro fields and green clapboard buildings—provides a quaint walk into Hawaii's serene, less hurried past."

TERRY & DONNA PATANE,  Seattle, Washington






"I took this photo on a trip to Kauai last August, at Kalalau Beach at the end of a long day of hiking on the Na Pali coast trail."

LOUISE LAUB, San Francisco, California







"I took this photo early—probably 7:15am—on the beach walking towards Waikiki. The colors of the sky promise another wonderful day."

ARNOLD LABRENTZ, Creston, British Columbia







"On our last night on Maui, I was chasing the sun trying to get some memorable sunset photos. With a sailboat rapidly leaving my selected frame and an unknown couple appearing on the beach, I knew I had found the perfect Hawaiian sunset I had imagined."

PAUL D. MORRISON, Cedar City, Utah








"This photo was taken on Kauai's north shore at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, overlooking the Kilauea Lighthouse.  The view was incredible. There were so many birds gliding overhead, and one of them soared into view as I took the picture. It was another great time to be outside in the last few hours of a perfect Hawaiian day."

MIKE HUTSON, Simi Valley, California







"This is a picture of my son, Jimmy … on my most recent trip to Maui and third time up to Mount Haleakala. As an ohana, we have been to Hawaii six times and have been very, very blessed to touch each of the islands. I took my son to Maui when he was a one-year-old, and to this day Hawaii is in our blood. "

JIM "KIMO" BECK, Paoli, Pennsylvania








"I love, love, love this photo I took. It was from an exhibit at The Contemporary Museum in Honolulu where people were supposed to put on a pin on a world map to show where they were from."

CHRISTA WITTMIER, Honolulu, Hawaii








"We were standing on our hotel balcony overlooking Kaanapali Beach and thought this was the perfect example of a beautiful sunset experience in Hawaii. A spectacular finish for another wonderful day on Maui."

ANN BECK, Defiance, Ohio








"The Hana Highway on Maui was full of surprises around every one of its curves and one-lane bridges. We came across this beautiful tropical waterfall—Waikani Falls—right next to the highway. "

JOAN BECK, Toledo, Ohio









"My photo was taken near the 'tunnel of trees' on Kauai's south side. While driving back to Poipu near sunset, the sun's rays provided nice lighting and contrast upon the meadow."

MIKE HUTSON, Simi Valley, California