Hawaii

Time Stands Still

Milletseed Butterflyfish are endemic to Hawaiian waters. They can grow up to 6.5 inches in length are are commonly found around the islands’ coral reefs. On the best days, I would hop in the water and instantly find myself surrounded by a massive school of these bright fish. After accepting my presence, the bold ones would come right up to my camera dome for a closer look.

Stripes

Earning the trust of this school of fish, I calmly help my breath at the bottom of the ocean, holding onto a rock to stabilize myself. Once the fish saw that I was a silent observer, they gradually returned to their places and even swam closer for examination. These are some of my favorite fish to find in swarms at sea.

Symbiosis

The Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle is a federally protected creature. They can often be found along the shores of the Hawaiian Islands, however there are strict regulations regarding approaching and interacting with them. As residents of these islands, local divers all take part in speaking up for these turtles, letting visitors know not to touch them, regardless of how cute and approachable they are. Here, the fish and turtle have formed a symbiotic relationship where the fish will eat the algae on the turtle's shell, effectively cleaning him in the process.

Cruising

According to NOAA, the Hawaiian green sea turtle population has increased by 53% over the past 25 years. Despite being harvested in the 1970s, the population has steadily increased since protection laws were enacted in 1978. I'm happy to say that I see turtles almost every time I go diving. They are key components of a chill Hawaiian day.

Fresh Air

It's almost strange to see these creatures come up for air. It reminds me that they are like us, part of the global environment we all share. Breathing the same air, enjoying the same ocean, everything is connected.

Pacific Honu

Suspended in time. Stillness in the water. Caught between the ease of the shallows and the decision to dive into the adventures at depth. This memory, frozen in the frame, brings me back to the Pacific blue clarity of this day and a sense of calmness washes over me as I look at it now. It's a reminder of what is outside our windows and an invitation to satisfy our curiosities with discovery.

Eye of the Honu

Hello there. Baby turtles move with speed and agility not common among their older ancestors. Testing out their fins, learning the ways of the waves, young turtles often dart over and across coral reefs faster than some fish I've witnessed. This one had a different perspective, preferring to cruise alongside me, perhaps wondering how my fins got so long and where my shell was.

Cosmic Honu

Off the coast of Oahu, beneath the surface of the waves, a turtle cleaning station brings together sea creatures of all shapes and sizes. On the best days, I’ve seen over eleven turtles gathered here, ranging in size from massive grandfather turtles to tiny baby turtles. In this instance, the turtle separated from the coral structure at the bottom of the reef and drifted to the top for a breath of air. Instead of surfacing myself, I fought the urge to breath and stared up at the sun, past the turtle as the sun rays met my gaze in the shallower waters.

One Breath

Of all the experiences I’ve had in Hawaii, learning to free dive stands out as one of my favorites. With the pressure of the water from above combined with the weightless feeling of floating, and the zen-like mindset that results from the deep breathing before the dive, free diving enables you to enter another world. When I first saw it, I couldn’t believe my eyes and thought it looked unattainable. Yet, with steady practice and learning to delay the urge to breathe, one thing that is easier to do when surrounded by a dolphin pod you don’t want to leave, I built up my skills to a point where I can truly enjoy it. Here, I swam about ten feet below the surface on my back, looking up and swimming alongside the turtle. His silhouette on the water and the glistening sparkles from the sun enhanced the dive substantially, uniting us both at sea.

Magical Memory

On this magical morning, I celebrated my birthday at sea with my dolphin family. A massive pod gathered to swim and play at my favorite dive spot and I met them at depths of 40 feet to hang without words. As a turtle emerged on the scene it took all of my willpower and mind control to calm myself down and breathlessly wait for the right moment. This image is the result of the effort, training, and sheer birthday luck that has been etched in my memory.

Clarity at Sea

When the messiness of the world becomes too much and gravity pulls too hard, we return to the sea for clarity. Swallowed up by the waves and diving beneath the surface, sometimes life makes more sense with less society and more wilderness. The natural order of things becomes restored and our small place in the world becomes less important with these simple circumstances.

Awakened Dreams

Mountains and dolphins make a fabulous combination. Seeing both of these views together, while floating in the warm Hawaiian ocean water, fills me with such happiness. The wildness and freedom in this experience is awesome.

Baby Naia

What an absolute pleasure to swim with baby dolphins. They grow fast in the first few weeks, becoming more confident in their swimming abilities as their comfort level in the water increases. When they were first born, I observed them swimming right under their mother's fins, who herself was surrounded on both sides by other full grown pod mates. I would catch glimpses of the babies as they entered this new oceanic world. As time passed, they'd slowly separate themselves, testing out different dives and coming playfully closer. This particular one swam next to me for quite some time making me both her protector and playmate in the water while the rest of the pod lingered nearby.

Bubbling Blue

In the early mornings, Hawaiian spinner dolphins swim close to shore to rest with their pods. While sleeping, only have of their brains are unconscious and they rely on their pods for safety and protection by swimming alongside one another. When they wake up, they stick together, enjoying each other's company as highly social mammals.

Dive Deep

Hawaiian spinner dolphins are fortunate to reside in the tropical waters off the coast of Hawaii where anthropogenic regulations protect their species. Dolphins across the Pacific Ocean in some parts of Japan face significantly higher threats from humans who hunt these gentle creatures. Marine conservation is a global issue that demands international attention and cooperation. We can all do something to help.

Dolphin Trio

It is estimated that there are approximately 3,300 Hawaiian spinner dolphins present in these tropical islands. While hunting and also while at rest, they fuse together to form large pods that vary in size but can be comprised of hundreds of dolphins. Rarely are they ever seen alone, if at all. On this dive, this trio allowed me to glide alongside them, joining the pod and enjoying the morning swim.

The Dolphins

Each day with the Hawaiian spinner dolphins is different and you never really know what will happen as you slip beneath the surface. My favorite moment is always when I first lock eyes with the dolphins on a dive. For that instant, you've connected with them in the wild and anything can happen.

Gathering At Sea

It was a blissfully clear day in Hawaii where calm water conditions allowed for a peaceful morning swim. Over 100 Hawaiian spinner dolphins circled my group, some lazily and some playfully. When the sea became this clear, I felt like the dolphins and I were simply floating through air above the sand. If you look closely, you'll also see some of the smaller, adolescent dolphins intermingled with their family, adding to the enchanting atmosphere. Being part of moments like this really felt serene.

Illumination

Diving into the spotlight of the sun's rays, the pod put on a show with their synchronization. When the reward for waking up early is experiences like this, finding motivation to move comes naturally.

Ice

Swimming alongside wild dolphins produces a fantastic calming effect. Here the mix of sunlight, shallow water, and icy blue tones set the stage for a soothing and rewarding morning dive.

Naia

In the early mornings, Hawaiian spinner dolphins swim close to shore to rest with their pods. While sleeping, only have of their brains are unconscious and they rely on their pods for safety and protection by swimming alongside one another.

Reflections

We find ourselves in the things we love. Your actions, interests, conversations, and perspectives are all reflections of who you are as a person. Being underwater, swimming alongside creatures larger than me, I feel humbled by the magnitude of nature and the connection of all living things. It makes me feel interwoven in the flow of the earth’s fabric. Notice what experiences inspire this feeling for you and follow them forever.

Together

The bond of the dolphin pod truly amazes me. Pod sizes can range from just a few to a few hundred dolphins. The larger the pod, the longer I wanted to hold my breath and stay submerged with them. Surrounded by so many marine mammals, I felt like a mermaid who had joined the pod.

Wild Thing

New to the wild world, the young dolphins bring a vibrant and fresh energy to full grown pods.