I had enough time to sneak away to the island of Kauai earlier this month. It was my first trip to the Hawaiian Islands and the timing couldn’t have been better. It was 57 degrees the afternoon I drove down to Denver and when my flight left the next morning it was 7 degrees. Quite a change. Needless to say, the weather was quite nicer in Kauai by the time I landed!

I spent a lot of time planning the trip and had seen some really nice shots from this part of the island. The Poipu Beach Park is on the southeastern tip of Kauai, far enough around the corner that you get a view of the setting sun. It was fairly convenient to my base location in Kaapa on the eastern coast. I say fairly, because it seemed to take forever to get anywhere on the island! The park is a rather busy place as well with plenty of people enjoying the ocean. I was surprised at how many people were out to watch the sunset. I was getting ready to head out on the rocky shoreline when this lone palm tree caught my eye. I stopped and took the opportunity to frame it up without anyone around it. Looking at it now reminds me of just how peaceful it was that evening (except for the crowds!).

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