Civic and Cultural Photography

63rd Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade!! | Big Island | Hawaii by Ethan Tweedie

The 63rd Annual Waimea Twilight Christmas Parade was nothing short of spectacular! Held on a perfect evening in December 2023, this cherished event brought the community together to celebrate the holiday season with an unforgettable display of lights, music, and festive spirit.

One of the highlights of the parade was, without a doubt, the Truckers’ participation. These local heroes truly went all out, transforming their trucks into rolling works of art with extravagant holiday decorations that dazzled the crowd. The creativity and effort that went into each vehicle’s design were truly awe-inspiring, making it clear why they’re the parade’s main attraction.

This year’s parade in Waimea, located on the Big Island of Hawaii, showcased the island’s close-knit community spirit and the unique charm of small-town Christmas celebrations. The streets were filled with the sights and sounds of Christmas as families, friends, and visitors gathered to enjoy the festivities.

I had the pleasure of capturing the beauty of this event through my lens, and I’m excited to share some of the images from the night. From the twinkling lights of the decorated trucks to the joyful expressions of parade-goers, these photos capture the essence of what makes Waimea's Christmas parade so special.

As a photographer specializing in luxury real estate, architectural photography, and luxury hotels and resorts, I don’t often get the chance to photograph local events like this one. However, the opportunity to capture the warmth and energy of a community tradition was a reminder of the magic that makes the Big Island so unique.

If you’d like to see more of my photography, feel free to follow my work or get in touch! I serve all of the Hawaiian Islands, including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. Whether it's for luxury properties, architectural design, or special events, I’d be honored to help bring your vision to life.

Milky Way Photography Over Kilauea Lava Lake | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by Ethan Tweedie

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island is home to Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. This stunning natural wonder provides an incredible backdrop for capturing the Milky Way, especially with the glowing Lava Lake at the summit lighting up the night sky.

On the night of August 20th, 2022, I set out to photograph the Milky Way at this iconic location. The timing was perfect, as the moon wouldn't rise until around 12:30 AM, giving us a dark sky and unobstructed views of the Lava Lake in all its glowing glory.

The first image, captured just after sunset, shows the Milky Way starting to emerge on the far left, while the Lava Lake’s glow intensifies. As the night darkened, the Milky Way gradually shifted into a perfect alignment directly above the Lava Lake, as seen in Image 2. By the time the clouds drifted by in Image 3, they were illuminated by the brilliant glow of the Lava Lake below, creating an ethereal atmosphere.

Spending five hours in this awe-inspiring location was an unforgettable experience, and the imagery that unfolded was a testament to the incredible natural beauty of the Big Island.

If you're interested in seeing the timelapse I captured during this shoot, you can view it here: Milky Way Time Lapse.

Enjoy the adventure through my lens!

Ethan specializes in high-end photography for luxury hotels and resorts, luxury real estate, architects, and interior designers throughout all the Hawaiian Islands— including the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai.  In addition, he travels to the mainland for select projects, bringing his expertise to destinations beyond Hawaii. For inquiries, feel free to contact Ethan at 808-938-4665 or via email at ethantweedie@gmail.com

Architects Hawaii Limited | West Hawai'i Prosecuting Attorney's Office Building Project by Ethan Tweedie

Architects Hawaii Limited (AHL) hired me to photograph the West Hawai'i Prosecuting Attorney's Office Building in Kailua-Kona, Big Island, Hawaii. We photographed interiors, exteriors and did a few aerials to capture the building from sun up to sun down.

Contractor - Isemoto Contracting

Landscape - B K Design Group