This time of year we see the return of humpback whales, Santa Claus and elves.
Check out this week’s edition of Shootz! to see what Civil Beat photographers caught on camera.
Any time a high surf advisory is issued surfers, tourists and locals head to one of the few spots on Oahu’s famous North Shore that can handle 40-50 ft waves. Waimea Bay is no stranger to packed beaches, roads and parking lots when the ocean provides the entertainment. The swell peaked in the early hours of Friday morning but there were still some intrepid board riders seeking out the best waves mid afternoon. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)A humpback whale breaches Saturday in Maalaea Bay. Every winter thousands of humpback whales return to the warm waters of Hawaii to mate, birth and raise their calves. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)A humpback whale waves its fluke Saturday in Maalaea Bay under the West Maui Mountains Kaheawa Wind Farm. The 34 wind turbines supply energy for almost 20,000 homes. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)A Marine Corps Officer walks past the partially submerged fuselage of a Navy P8 aircraft that overshot the runway on November 20th, 2023. The aircraft came to rest about 210 ft from the end of the runway and 9 crew members were able to be extricated without injury. The Navy and MCBH held a press conference Monday to indicate measures that were underway to remove the aircraft from the bay with the least amount of damage being done to the coral upon which it rests. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)With better visibility, it’s easier to see the Navy P8 on the coral reef beyond runway 4 at Marine Corps base Kaneohe a full day after over shooting the runway November 20th, 2023. David Croxford/Civil Beat /2023.Elves Jordan Stewart, from left, Captain Jamey Kleinhenz and the festive socks of Anthony Valeriano crew the Alii Nui Santa Cruise Saturday outside of Maalaea Bay. As the winter holidays approach, the sunset cruise becomes the Santa Cruise with food, drinks and a jolly Saint Nick for keiki to whisper what they want for Christmas. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)Elves Robin Brown, from left, and Chloe Marino assist landing the Alii Nui after the Santa Cruise Saturday in Maalaea Harbor in Wailuku. The crew becomes Santa’s elves during the holiday season’s regular sunset cruises. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)2023 Honolulu City Lights crews began installing various Christmas items Tuesday outside of Honolulu Hale despite the Kona Low’s wind and rain. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)Otto Piene’s Sun Chandelier hangs in the House of Representatives Chambers behind a row of politicians Tuesday in Honolulu. Its celestial complement, the Moon Chandelier, hangs in the Senate Chambers. The Hawaii State Capitol building contains numerous meanings which represents the uniqueness of the Aloha State. Architects designed the Capitol to represent an island created by two volcanoes – the cone-shaped Senate and House of Representatives chambers. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)A captain from Engine Company 29 surveys the considerable damage from a Thursday morning fire on the 14th floor of 780 Amana St. in Honolulu. (David Croxford/Civil Beat/2023)A Wood Rose Apartments resident on the 16th floor looks down at a 14th floor unit which caught fire Thursday in Honolulu. Only one minor injury was reported. The 14th floor is technically the 13th floor. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)Newcomers to the islands might find a skateboard rack unique. But it’s a normal fixture for Ewa Makai Middle School students who regularly use this mode of transportation as seen Wednesday in Ewa Beach. (Kevin Fujii/Civil Beat/2023)
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