Featured Artists: CJ Kale & Tina Clothier
Featured Cover Photographer: CJ Kale
CJ Kale grew up on the Waianae Coast of O‘ahu and has lived on Hawai‘i Island more than 25 years. His early years were spent on the water, as a surfer and competitive swimmer. Those skills served him well when he joined the Navy and became a rescue swimmer.
CJ shares, “My mom turned me onto photography at a young age. I did it as a hobby for years, using film. I joined the Navy and traveled with my camera. Later, I got stationed back in Hawai‘i at Barbers Point Naval Air Station, 15 minutes from my hometown. After meeting Amanda, now my wife, we decided to move to Kona and start photographing the Big Island. Shooting the volcano was my passion, but I crewed on boats as well, so I could photograph whales, dolphins, turtles, sharks, and other marine life. During the day I was on the water, at night I was at the volcano, and during sunrise and sunsets, I was all over the island.” Over time, he became a master photographer.
CJ studies photography, and dreams about the shots he wants to capture. He does the preparation necessary to make those dreams come true and then he calmly stands, often on the edge of calamity, and gets the shot, now mostly shooting with a digital camera. He says, “The natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands is all the inspiration I need, but I have found in my travels around the world that inspiration is everywhere if you look.”
Regarding Waipi‘o Solstice Glow, the photo on this issueʼs cover, CJ says, “It was one of the most beautiful sunrises that I have ever had the pleasure of witnessing in the beautiful Waipi‘o Valley. The black sands make for the most beautiful reflections.”
An award winning photographer, CJʼs photos have won numerous contests, his photos have been hung in the Smithsonian Museum, heʼs earned the cover of National Geographic and numerous other magazines, including Outdoor Photography. His photos have also been featured in books and advertisements.
CJ and his friend Nick Selway were the first two to shoot a “lava wave” in 2010. They jumped into the sizzling hot ocean water next to the lava flow and took photos down the tunnels of crashing waves. Those lava wave shots earned them worldwide notoriety and an appearance on The Today Show. Heʼs also been a guest on other television shows, everything from local productions to Galileo, a German television show.
Along with partners Don and Linda Hurzeler, CJ co-owns Lava Light Galleries at the Queensʼ MarketPlace in Waikoloa, which he dreams of continuing for years to come. He and Amanda have two children and live in Kailua-Kona.
He jokingly reflects, “I do not need much, just the love of my family, light to photograph by, and the support of my customers to keep me from getting a real job.”
“I hope everyone enjoys the beauty of our natural world and takes the time to get out and explore it. You might be surprised at the things you experience out there.”
For more information: lavalightgalleries.com
Table of Contents Photographer: Tina Clothier
Tina Clothier first became interested in photography while traveling in Bhutan in 2006. Armed with her point and shoot camera, she tried to capture that life-changing experience through photos. From that time on, sheʼs been hooked on photography! Throughout the 42 years sheʼs lived in Kailua-Kona, her interest has grown to include night photography, especially of the Milky Way. Hawai‘i Island’s dark skies make it an ideal place for astrophotography and for exploring the heavens. Tina is grateful to live in a place that offers some of the best stargazing in the world, as well as incredible sunrises, and sunsets. Since she retired from the business world in 2020, Tina has been focusing all her attention on shooting her favorite scenes.
For more information: konatina.com
