While Chandler and I were in Hawaii for Nikki & Dave's wedding we stayed in a beautiful cottage, on a former ginger plantation, built by an architect and his wife.
We had the cutest Barbados Blackbelly Sheep as our neighbors. They lived in the pasture in front of our porch next to fields of pineapples, eucalyptus and lime trees. You could see the ocean in the distance and hear a nearby waterfall while eating breakfast.
We arrived at night after having spent 4 days on the West Coast near Kona. We had a lovely time on the West Coast at a B&B called the Luana Inn. We relaxed on Hapuna beach (northwest), and visited some black sand beaches (south) on our way to see the Kilauea volcano. We drove around the Big Island to the East Coast that night to get to the cottage we had rented, but didn't see the paradise we had arrived in until morning...
The first thing I did that morning were some sun salutations (yoga) in front of a row of Eucalyptus trees. We said hi to our neighbors (the owners) and to their baaing sheep (Buddy and Snickers). Chandler and I were invited to explore the farm, so we decided to take our cameras and head towards the sounds of rushing water. On our way out, Chandler said he needed to grab something from upstairs. I noticed what I thought was an iphone in his pocket...
Chandler went down the path to the waterfall first. I held his hand, and my Contax 645 in the other as I descended. At the bottom of the trail, I took a couple of shots, leaning forward over the cliff to try to see more water falling... Chandler held my belt loop as I took some more precarious steps. When I turned around he was on one knee with a little box in his hand.
Moments later we were engaged : )
In these pictures:
Akaka Falls, our cottage in Pepeekeo, Luana Inn our wonderful B&B near Kona, Luana Inn's beautiful kitty Yuki and their infinity pool, kids playing at Hapuna Beach near Kona, our neighbors the sheep in Pepeekeo, Black Sands beach, Boiling Pots Falls in Hilo, the Kilauea crater within a crater spewing sulfur dioxide, the Mauna Kea volcano at 13800 feet which we drove up to photograph, and the Mauna Kea observatory above the clouds.
Most of these images I shot on film with the Contax 645.
The color Holga pictures and pictures of Karen were taken by Chandler Kauffman
Congratulations Karen. You will make a beautiful bride!
Posted by: Pauline | 08/17/2010 at 03:22 PM
WOW! Congratulations Karen and Chandler. I'm sure your wedding and future will be nothing short of beautiful.
Posted by: scott andrew | 08/17/2010 at 03:40 PM
Big huge congrats, that is adorable!! Best wishes with all your planning, can't wait to hear about it on your tweets :)
Posted by: Sarah | 08/17/2010 at 04:10 PM
Congrats Karen!!! That's amazing...all the best and hope we get to have that coffee or wine sometime soon.
Posted by: sofia | 08/17/2010 at 04:22 PM
Congratulations Karen and Chandler! I am so happy for you both!
Posted by: Lisa Green | 08/17/2010 at 04:22 PM
Congratulations! So exciting!
Posted by: Lara | 08/17/2010 at 04:24 PM
Congratulations! :)
Posted by: oli | 08/17/2010 at 04:25 PM
congratulations to you both!! love the setting too :)
Posted by: Alisa Greig | 08/17/2010 at 04:57 PM
Congrats to you two!!! What a lovely story!! :)
Posted by: cicilia | 08/17/2010 at 05:00 PM
congrats karen! so happy for you!
Posted by: joy | 08/17/2010 at 05:08 PM
Congratulations Karen! What a beautiful place for an engagement!
Posted by: Sarka | 08/17/2010 at 06:34 PM
Congratulations, Karen. What a lovely story to share:)
Posted by: Megan Greenlee | 08/18/2010 at 01:17 AM
Hi Karen, beautiful shots! Makes me want to go back to the Big Island and open my eyes a bit more. It was lovely meeting you and Chandler.
Posted by: Joeri & Bulbul | 08/18/2010 at 02:21 AM
FELICIDADES!
Big hugs for you both, beautiful story and great pictures :)
Posted by: Daniela Garza | 08/18/2010 at 11:54 AM
Thank you ALL for such sweet comments!!
XO Karen & Chandler
Posted by: Karen Wise | 08/18/2010 at 12:08 PM
Yaaay!!! Congrats to you both Karen! What a beautiful setting for an engagement. :)
Posted by: Laurie | 08/18/2010 at 12:34 PM
Congratulations!! What a beautiful story
and spectacular photos. So happy for you both!
Posted by: Melinda Morris | 08/18/2010 at 10:59 PM
Thanks for sharing the sweet engagement story...congratulations Karen!!!
Posted by: catherine chang | 08/19/2010 at 01:41 PM
You are one of the hardest working and most humble photographers I know. I am very inspired by your story and thank you for sharing it with us! I wish you continued happiness as these moments present themselves. Congrats!
Posted by: Parris Whittingham | 08/20/2010 at 09:17 AM
such a great story. congrats!
Posted by: jaine | 08/20/2010 at 12:11 PM
Congratulations, Karen! What a perfect engagement story! I am so happy for you and Chandler. You will be a beautiful bride :)
Posted by: Beth | 08/20/2010 at 02:50 PM
Congratulations Karen!!! You both make a great couple!!
Posted by: Matt Edge | 08/21/2010 at 01:14 PM
Congratulations...What a romantic engagement...
Posted by: Wen | 08/25/2010 at 03:01 PM
Congratulations!!! What a sweet engagement story!I'm so happy for the both of you!
Posted by: Sabine | 08/31/2010 at 02:09 PM
AMAZING!!! I am so happy for you and Chandler!! That is so exciting!!!!
Posted by: LINDSEYBELLE | 08/31/2010 at 02:22 PM