After waking up from some well needed naps, we decided to spend the rest of our lazy afternoon with each other exploring a side of the Island we do not get to see often enough.
The view of the Ko’olau mountains was unburdened by a single cloud. Yet a tranquil haze bathed the overall landscape in a drowsy blur. As the sunset was fast approaching, I wanted to find an interesting place to soak in the evening.
A short walk down an unpopulated stretch of beach led us along a dense mangrove forest. While pushing through the foliage, to attain any sort of glimpse of the sunset, we stumbled across a magical place.
A series of floating docks hosted our astonishing view of the painted sky.
It felt as if we had walked into a postcard
I am still learning how to take photos into the sunset. I find it quite difficult to properly expose the sky without underexposing the foreground (like I did in the above shot). I would appreciate any tips. Also, I took all of the photos in the post as JPEGs. I had taken additional photos in RAW format, but the colors seemed all blown out making the image look stale. I know everyone says to shoot RAW, but I found these JPEGs easier to edit than the RAW counterparts (BLASPHEMY!!! I know…). Any advice would be welcomed.
When spent a few moments just contemplating this amazing place we get to live. The sky went through some rather dramatic color changes right before our eyes. What a gorgeous end to a peaceful day. I believe that the Moli’i docks provided the most beautiful sunset I had ever seen on the Windward side of Oahu.
This pond is the largest fishpond on Oahu (125 acres) and is known as Moli’i. It is also one of only four original Hawaiian fishponds on our Island. The waters host schools of Threadfin, Mullet and Tilapia (along with a variety of crabs and other inverts). I’ve heard of people fishing here, but I believe it is by permit only. As much as I would like to recommend this place, I believe it is on private property. Perhaps it is owned by the Kualoa Ranch.
Wow, great pictures! <3
Thanks! I’m stoked you like them
Beautiful pics! Can I ask how you got to the docks? I’m planning family pics and was wondering where you parked and walked from. Thanks so much!
I stumbled on to your blog. If you’re still looking for advice on shooting raw and processing, there’s a 4 week workshop on the north shore at SBCC. Well worth the $50! Check out sbccs.org look for workshops
Hey thanks I appreciate the info
Hi, I really want to go to these docks, but if its on private property, how do you recommend going there? And, how did you get to go there if its private? I really want to enjoy this beautiful part of the island when my boyfriend comes into town next weekend. Thanks for any help! Also, these pics are sick.
Thank you! I appreciate your visit. Well we went there after 5pm on a Sunday, so nobody was around. We just kind of randomly ventured around the nearby beach until we found a trail to the docks and fishpond. It wasn’t until we were on our way out that a passerby informed us that we shouldn’t be back there and that some people have been kicked out. Not too sure how strict they are if you are discrete. It seems to be a super popular photo op. spot on instagram… So maybe they are getting more relaxed about enforcement. I would just say be discrete.
Do not let anyone try to say that you are not allowed on any beach in Hawai’i. All beaches in the state are by definition public lands. The owners of the fishpond may have tried to give you the idea that this is their land, but in fact all the land you walked on was formed by the movement of sand from the east beach of Kualoa Regional Park after 1975. The land you speak of, above the high tide line, is in dispute. In 1975 I could walk from the property line of the park for over 400 meters along the ocean side of the Moli’i fishpond wall until you hit the so called “ Secret Island ‘. I will be returning to Oahu later this summer if you desire additional information about the pre history and history contact me at my email or phone me at 925-318-4599 or by email. I am an old fuddy daddy and am not well versed with the new forms of communication. I worked as an Archaeologist on the park from Jan. 1975 to Sept. 1979.
Whoa super interesting. I really appreciate your insights. I’ve often felt that people overstep the boundaries when it comes to limiting beach access in Hawaii, b/c it was indeed my understanding that all beaches were supposed to be public land. I just wasn’t super sure about this spot, but thank you so much for confirming it. I always appreciate information about the history of all the areas I hike around, so do not hesitate to share more.
Hi, I know this is an old post, but do you mind telling me what beach and trail you went to, to get the dock?
Thank you so much!!