Kukaniloko
The sacred Royal Birthplace of the Ali'i
~The royal birth site of the Ali'i~
The Kukaniloko Birthstones is one of the most significant cultural site...
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The sacred Royal Birthplace of the Ali'i
~The royal birth site of the Ali'i~
The Kukaniloko Birthstones is one of the most significant cultural sites on O'ahu and well known as the royal birth site for the Ali'i. These uplands were not only a place where famous chiefs were born and lived, but where key battles for the control of O'ahu were fought. This royal birthsite of Kukaniloko and the associated Ho'olonopahu Heiau (temple), were within Waialua. Nearby was Lihu'e within the lands of Wai'anae Uka. Lihu'e was a noted royal center of the Ali'i on O'ahu between A.D. 1400-1500. The chiefs of this area were called Lo chiefs who preserved their chiefly kapu by living in the uplands of Waialua.
www.jasonmatias.com
jason@jasonmatias.com
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~The royal birth site of the Ali'i~
The Kukaniloko Birthstones is one of the most significant cultural sites on O'ahu and well known as the royal birth site for the Ali'i. These uplands were not only a place where famous chiefs were born and lived, but where key battles for the control of O'ahu were fought. This royal birthsite of Kukaniloko and the associated Ho'olonopahu Heiau (temple), were within Waialua. Nearby was Lihu'e within the lands of Wai'anae Uka. Lihu'e was a noted royal center of the Ali'i on O'ahu between A.D. 1400-1500. The chiefs of this area were called Lo chiefs who preserved their chiefly kapu by living in the uplands of Waialua.
www.jasonmatias.com
jason@jasonmatias.com
Read less
Aug, 2013Views
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Runner Up in Take A Stroll Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Take A Stroll Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Sun Flares Photo Contest
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jasonmatias
November 24, 2013
Thanks Chris. I just wrote a few words about it at www.jasonmatias.com/kukaniloko
parthgupta
November 24, 2013
WOW!
I love this photo.
Amazing POV mate.
Congrats on getting featured.
I love this photo.
Amazing POV mate.
Congrats on getting featured.
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was captured at a sacred location in Hawaii called Kukaniloko, The Royal Birth Site of the Ali'i, located on Oahu's North Shore. It is considered by locals as the navel of Hawaii, where the mana, the magical energy of Hawaii, flows from. This location is very special. Historically, the queen of Hawaii would give birth here, witnessed by all the chiefs of the land, to the new king. It is a very special and well kept secret of Hawaii.Time
This is sunset. I typically arrive at locations about an hour before the "show" starts. I arrived here two hours a head of time because I knew that the mountains to the west would block the sun earlier than typical sunsets in Hawaii. I use The Photographer's Ephemeris app on my phone and computer to predict sunrise and sunset times and directions.Lighting
We all know about the magic of light during sunset's "Golden Hour." To create the sun star I used a small aperture of f22, then I bracketed to compensate for the shadows.Equipment
I don't have a lot of equipment. In truth, all my recent photographs from around the world were taken with one lens, the 24-70mm Tamron. For this photo I used 17-40L lens on a tripod. I followed this monk as he visited the site, keeping my distance respectfully.Inspiration
I was actually invited to photograph here by the community that maintains these grounds. Beth, one of the care takers, is also the gallery owner where my work is shown in Hale'iwa. She took me aside one day and told me the story of the land. I looked the location up on TPE and went that day to scout it. This monk arrived shortly after I did. The sun was setting. I was already dialed in. When he paused for the briefest of moments to say a prayer, or absorb the mana, I set my gear down and captured the six frames used for this image.Editing
This image is a six frame HDR. I put the images together using Nik Software's HDR Efex Pro (the first one). Then I removed distractions from the photo in PS. A stray branch here and there on the floor.In my camera bag
Currently, I travel super light. I just completed seven months on the road. HI-IA-NY-Philippines-Dubai-Italy-Spain-Morocco-Italy and back to NY. All of my images from this past year are captured with my Canon 5DII and 24-70mm 2.8 lens by Tamron. My other piece of essential gear is my carbon fiber tripod by Manfrotto, and boy has that thing taken a beating. Its legs were burned in lava; its joints are caked with salt; one time I used it to defend myself from a mugger. I see a lot of photographers with "affordable tripods." I recommend getting the most solid piece of equipment you can. It is just as important to me as my camera body.Feedback
The key to capturing this image on that day is that I was already dialed in before I tried to photograph the monk. I knew I had to fire all my frames FAST. Before I approached this composition, I knew what the frames were going to be. Also, you have to know the light. The Photographer's Ephemeris is my most valuable tool, its right on the home page of phone. Its on the menu bar of my computer. I use it all the time. Luck favors the prepared. Light and love to every one. Aloha, Jason
