About two years ago, I typed up a bucket list.  I know it sounds silly but a podcast I was listening to at the time had mentioned it and the idea sounded wishfully fun.  Once my list was concrete, I was ready to take on the world!  Since then, I have been lucky enough to be able to check off a few things here and there.   One of them being the opportunity to photograph a wedding in Hawaii!  So you can only imagine the excitement I felt when I could finally check that baby off my list.  And yes, I marked it off before I even got on the place, but that’s just how I roll 🙂

Colin & Leisha have been together since college.  Colin is from the mainland but with deep roots in Hawaii and Leisha is a native from the beautifully bliss island of Molokai.  Molokai, one of eight islands in Hawaii, is much less traveled and the natives actually prefer it that way.  It is known for its rich agriculture, tight knit community and it’s home to the world’s highest sea cliffs.  Little did I know that when I boarded that six seater airplane, flown by pilots who looked like they were both teenagers, my outlook on life would forever change.  

Immediately after landing, I kissed the red dirt beneath my feet.  The pilots said we were lucky that the trade winds weren’t here yet as it would have been much bumpier ride.  I took a quick mental note to Google “trade winds and ferry rides to Honolulu” as soon as I made it to the hotel.  The airport was completely deserted so I called the number hanging on the wall that said “taxi“.  The drive through the town to my hotel made me feel right at home.  Molokai is a quaint little island and everyone seemed to know each other.  The island doesn’t have a stop light and there are literally chickens that cross the road.  This was definitely my kind of place :).

The next day, we met up with Colin & Leisha where their ceremony was to be held.  It was on the east side of Molokai which is completely different from the west because of the large mountain ridges that separate it.  The east side is protected from the harsh sun making it lush and green and so so colorful, words can not even describe it.  The ceremony was to be held where Leisha’s late grandfathers ashes were spread.  It was beautifully symbolic and filled with love.

The wedding day festivities were to begin bright and early the next day!  The bridal party met at a beach house on the east side and the boys were hunkered down on the west side.  The morning rain made the east side of the island look even brighter and richer than it already is.

The morning flew by and the clouds broke through making way for the sun just in time for the ceremony.  The farther east you head the narrower and narrower the road gets.  So there we were, me and eight beautiful Hawaiian girls driving in a van.  Late to the ball.  When we finally made it, you could feel the loving energy in the air.  Leisha’s uncle was the officiant and he did such a wonderful job.  The entire day was possible through the concept of ohana, the Hawaiian word for “family“.  Every member had a specific job and it all came together so beautifully.

What an amazing experience!  I am so incredibly grateful to have been immersed into authentic Hawaiian culture, graciously shared with me through the Love & Light of Colin & Leisha.  A hui hou kakou (until we meet again)

-Love & Light

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