Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest - 8/18/2012

I was on my way home from my normal Saturday routine and I spotted a huge sign and stand on Waikiki Beach that read Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest. I checked online to see what kind of event this was and found out that there will be a lei draping ceremony at the statue of Duke at 5pm; so I decided to check it out. There were lots of people at the beach and I heard the announcement about a Kids surfing contest going on. I looked out and couldn't figure out which direction was the contest so I just took a few shots w/ my Lumix like a tourist. The shot out of camera was not as vibrant, but w/ a few level adjustments in PSE, it turned out like I had used a polarizing filter..:-)

The ceremony finally started after musicians started to play Hawaiian music. I was lucky to stand just behind the last row of chairs and it was good that the crowd was not as large.  I kept thinking I should've brought a longer lens because I wanted more closeup shots, but kept telling myself I just have to make my 16-35mm lens work.

During the speeches, it started to rain and I was wondering if it was worth it to get my camera wet.. but no one else was leaving so I just covered my camera and waited.  It was a good thing I didn't miss this part.  They draped leis onto the statue of Duke Kahanmoku one by one.  My wide lens even caught one of the photog's camera from the Star Advertiser.  Earlier I checked it out and saw that she used a Canon 7D :-D

After the short speeches by the mayor and councilmen, it was done.

When the ceremony was done, I went up to the statue to take a closer shot.

Suddenly, people started gathering around me.  Turns out the mayor and gang wanted a photo op in front of the statue and I ended up being in the crowd of photogs. So I decided to get in w/the other papparazzis..I guess it was a good thing after all that I brought my wide lens so I could get the closeups.