MEDIA RELEASE

Kahuku Photographic Expedition I: The Painted Desert
Led by David Boyle, Charlene and Amos Meyers
March 28, Saturday, 7:30 AM – 4 PM

Aloha photographers and photo art enthusiasts. The Hawai`i Volcanoes Institute’s first photographic seminar in 2009 will be on the Southwest Rift Zone of Mauna Loa. It is a very rugged area and most of the day will be above 5000 feet altitude. The area is nick-named the “painted desert” and offers a wide variety of volcanic features. We will explore the cinder fields, cones, and an open lava channel. Part of the channel is still domed and offers all the mysterious beauty of a lava tube in open day light!

Experienced park photographers and staff will guide and assist you through out a day of classic photographic opportunity. It makes no difference if you are a beginner or a polished professional. Bring your camera gear of choice and join us for a full day of nature photography.

Your Leaders: David Boyle has been the Park’s primary photographic documentarian for many years. His passion for Kahuku is complemented by his knowledge of these seldom-visited Park lands. Charlene and Amos Meyers are dedicated Park volunteers and photographers who, with David, have hosted many Kahuku photographic expeditions. Amos has assembled stunning CD collections showcasing the photographs submitted by expedition participants.

Seminar agenda: Participants enter the Kahuku Gate, located just past milepost 71 on Route 11. The gate will be open from 7:30 – 8 AM, then locked. Carpools upslope leave promptly at 8:15 to catch the glorious morning light. To lessen impact on these unpaved roads, carpooling is required. Drivers must have off-road experience. Expect bumps! Park volunteers familiar with the route will guide and determine the stops. You will be given generous periods of time to explore and photograph the various sites, with the group, or solo.

The photo expeditions are open to photographers of every level of experience. The format is flexible. People who like to go off on their own are encouraged to do so. Others like to talk with the fellow photo-enthusiasts. Still others seek instruction from the expedition’s photographer-guides.

Level of physical difficulty: Easy to moderate. At the various stops, the expedition is self-paced. The terrain can be rough when carrying your favorite camera and gear. Pasture grasses obscure holes, rocks and logs. Lavascapes are rugged. Each person determines their activity level. Some find their shots near the caravan of cars or use the roads and trails for ease of exploration. Others crawl into lava tubes and scramble up steep slopes. You are the best judge of your capabilities.

What to bring? Bring your photo gear. Hiking shoes or boots are a must. Long pants are recommended. Bring food and beverages to keep you going all day. Come prepared for Kahuku’s shifty weather. Sun, rain, chilly mist and strong winds may all occur within a brief time period while providing interesting photographic effects.

Transportation: When you call to reserve a space, you will be asked whether you are willing to drive and carry passengers or whether you require transport into the Kahuku uplands.

Tuition: Friends’ members – $40 Non-members – $50

Timeline for payment/cancellation: Reservations and payment are due one week before the expedition, by March 21. We will wait until the day before the seminar and cancel only for extreme rain or vog, in which case payments will be fully refunded.

To register: Respond to this email, ainahou2@aol.com or call the Friends’ office at (808) 985-7373. The office is staffed part-time, so leave a message and your call will be returned. To reserve a spot payment must be received.