Aloha

A Week in Hawaii

Story and photography by Jackson Wolter

Growing up in South Africa, Hawaii was one of those far-off places that seemed a world away to me—a paradise I could do little more than dream about. I’d been privileged to travel around South Africa and its neighboring countries, but Hawaii was a destination in a league of its own. I had heard so much about the peeling waves, the picturesque landscape, and the local culture. It became a bucket-list trip for me, and to say I was excited to finally visit this year would be an understatement of epic proportions.

My mother is American, and we visit my extended family in the US occasionally. We spent the Christmas holidays in 2024 with my grandparents, longtime residents of Florida in the coastal area known as 30-A. It’s incredible how much more accessible my Hawaii dream felt when I was on American soil, and through a remarkable series of events, my dream came true. As an eighteen-year-old surfer and aspiring cinematographer fresh out of high school, I boarded a plane for Maui armed with a deep quest for adventure, an arsenal of digital, film, and video cameras, and my currency: a genuine love for people and a strong ambition to pursue film and cinematography.

Every day during the trip, I was treated to a different part of the island. From Hana to Haiku, Black Rock Beach to Molokini, and Honolua Bay to Haleakalā, I discovered backyard waterfalls, swam with dolphins, and trekked through rainforests. It was the perfect mix of everything I love—making new friends, experiencing different cultures, surfing waves I’d seen in just about every surf film, and documenting the week in my own artistic way through my camera lens.

A fisherman casts his line into the deep blue Hawaiian sea, his movement steady against the rugged lava rocks. A young figure stands nearby, soaking in the peaceful rhythm of the scene. Fittingly, since we were at Kiawe Beach, a Hawaiian Kiawe tree (thorn tree) stretched its branches toward the horizon, framing the tranquil view.

The image captures a striking contrast between the endless sapphire water and the expansive sky, interrupted by the sunlit outcrop of the south side of Molokini Crater. Shades of yellow, brown, and white layer the rock face, each striation telling a story of time and transformation. Within the stone, natural leading lines draw the eye downward, guiding it back toward the ocean—where the crater’s ancient past meets the ever-moving present.

Shot on analog film using Cinestill 400D, I was drawn to the silhouettes and the way the orange halation would play off the late afternoon light. In this frame, wispy clouds brush across the summit of Haleakalā while lava rocks break through the shimmering Pacific below. Palm trees sway over lush flora, framing a quiet and dreamy beachfront residence. It felt like a scene that captured so many of the elements that define Hawaii—pristine water, huge mountains, palm trees, and vibrant flowering plants.

Taken at Kiawe Beach, this photo captures a young family of three boys and, with them, a quiet reminder of the simpler things in life. A child climbs a twisted Kiawe branch, reaching for a new perspective, while just below, someone sways gently in a hammock, the ocean breeze brushing past. There’s something timeless in scenes like this—moments that call us back to curiosity, play, and the joy of exploring the world with those we love. It’s about never losing the childlike urge to climb higher and see the world differently.

Snapped from a moving car window along the legendary Road to Hana, this shot came together in a split second. As the dense jungle gave way to a break in the trees, the waterfall revealed itself—framed perfectly by the lush Hawaiian foliage above and below. The leaves in the foreground and canopy above act as natural leading lines, all drawing the eye inward toward the falling water. It was one of those fleeting moments where preparation met instinct—and Hawaii delivered.

Shot at Black Sand Beach, this image caught my eye because of the strong contrast between the two palms standing tall amid dense foliage and the ocean stretching endlessly behind them. The monochrome treatment strips away distraction and emphasizes shape, texture, and balance—the jagged volcanic rock, the delicate fronds, and the soft blanket of coastal flora. These two trees felt like sentinels, rooted in place, watching the ever-changing sea.

This tree immediately caught my eye—stripped of bark, its surface was almost sculptural. I wanted a backdrop that would echo that smoothness and let the form of the tree speak for itself, so I framed it against the sky. The result was this dramatic silhouette, a dance of shadows and shape. The branching lines seem to fracture the image, like veins or lightning, there’s something visceral about them. They sprawl and fork unpredictably, like nature’s own calligraphy etched against the sky. They become even more abstract in black and white—less tree and more symbol—while the smooth trunk anchors everything in a quiet strength.

This photo was very special to me. It was one I felt captured Hawaii in all its beauty, with breathtaking sunsets overlooking the Pacific Ocean and no other land in sight for many miles. I almost felt like I was at the edge of the world. Looking up from the path and seeing the way the branches and leaves curved just right, I remember thinking, “Well, nature has created a picture frame.” Just as that happened, a wave rolled through, perfectly positioned in the center of it all.

This photo was taken during a turtle snorkeling trip. We watched these turtles dive deep and then slowly, effortlessly, rise back up to the surface for air. I wanted to capture that floating sensation—that weightless moment—so I positioned myself beneath them, looking up as they glided toward the light. The way they moved through the water felt almost like a mirage, suspended in blue, with soft light rippling above and the texture of the ocean floor falling away below.

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