Younger

Realizing nature is harsh, actually more like violent, I feel blessed to be alive. Anyone that has had a near death experience knows an appreciation for the simple things goes a long way. This image was taken after my birthday hike up Waipa Valley in Kauai 2005, it’s hard to believe that was seven years ago! I’m thankful to have made it through another seven year cycle, how about you?

Photograph copyright (c) Trevi Bennett 2012

Looking Out

The epic green of Waipa Valley, Kauai, Hawaii

Photograph copyright (c) Trevi Bennett 2012

Looking Up

The delicate mist of Waipa Valley, Kauai, Hawaii

Photograph copyright (c) Trevi Bennett 2012

Sunset

Sparkling refractions of light ricochet off undulating waters. Surrendering to dusky shadows and the pitch of the ever expanding galaxy, falling into moonlight again.

Photograph copyright (c) Trevi Bennett 2012

Rainbow Glow

The misting rains of Kauai create an incredibly lush environment. Known as the ‘Garden Isle’ it is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands at approximately six million years old. One of the wettest spots on earth, with an annual rainfall of 460 inches (1,200 cm), is located on the east side of Mount Wai’ale’ale. This rainbow brought a warming glow to all of Anahola.

Photograph copyright (c) Trevi Bennett 2012

Mana

Mana is an indigenous Pacific islander concept of an impersonal force or quality that resides in people, animals, and inanimate objects. After stepping into a well known vortex in Wainiha (literal translation “un-friendly water”) on the North Shore of Kauai, I was fortunate/unfortunate enough to channel Mana. The word is a cognate in many Oceanic languages, including Melanesian, Polynesian, and Micronesian. In anthropological discourse, mana as a generalized concept is often understood as a precursor to formal religion. It has commonly been interpreted as “the stuff of which magic is formed,” as well as the substance of which souls are made.
Oil painting copyright (c) Trevi Bennett 2012

Hanalei's Waipa Valley

Although Kauai’s treasures are plentiful, it is a rarity that anyone venture up Waipa Valley. Normally closed to the public, a friend of mine happened to be working for the FDA taking water samples and invited me on a hike for my birthday. Nimble feet are a must when mossy rock skipping --- but if you slip and get dunked (like I did) try not to stress about the Leptospirosis.

Photograph copyright (c) Trevi Bennett 2012