Through My Lens: Hawaii

I was raised on Maui—a true island kid at heart. Barefoot, bright-eyed, and full of energy, I spent my days outside from morning until night. I’d snack on guava picked straight from the trees and snack on spam musubi at lunch. We'd drive through Kihei in my dad’s old red truck, playing Exodus by Bob Marley on repeat. The windows were always down, my hand drifting in the air to the rhythm, with the ocean breeze and warm sun on my face.

My childhood lives on in boxes of photos—surfing on my dad’s shoulders, learning hula, and making leis on Lei Day at Montessori school. Those early years were where my creativity began to grow.

There’s something about the islands you can feel the second you arrive. The air is softer, lighter, and everything feels connected—land, ocean, and life itself. It’s not easy to explain, but there’s a quiet magic to island living that never really leaves you.