Well it’s been a few days since Michael Jackson died, and I’m now able to reassess my take on the Sunset Vigil assignment I photographed on Thursday.  It’s really amazing how powerful and transcending music can be–MJ’s death has thousands and thousands mourning all over the world.  Anyhoo, here’s some photos that weren’t used in our Friday edition.  Enjoy, and live like you mean it…

Wearing R.I.P.MJ t-shirts, from right, Rene Tengan, Anita Motte, and Star Miranda hold candles as they observe a moment of silence during a sunset vigil for pop star Michael Jackson Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Ala Moana's Magic Island. Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon from complications with cardiac arrest in Los Angeles. The vigil was put on by radio DJ Doc Roc of Hot 93.9. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin). Canon EOS 1D Mark III, EF 16-35 2.8L at 16mm, Exposure mode: Manual, 1/30 sec at f3.5, ISO 1600, daylight whitebalance.

Kapolei resident Karen Kimokeo, right, thumbs through some of the memorabilia belonging to Nanakuli resident Uilana Arasato, left, during a sunset vigil for pop star Michael Jackson Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Ala Moana's Magic Island. Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon from complications with cardiac arrest in Los Angeles. The vigil was put on by radio DJ Doc Roc of Hot 93.9. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin). Canon EOS 1D Mark IIN, EF 16-35f2.8L at 16mm, Exposure mode: Manual, 1/320 sec at f6.3, ISO 200, Daylight whitebalance.

A shaka is raised along with a portrait of Michael Jackson during a sunset vigil for the pop star Thursday, June 25, 2009 at Ala Moana's Magic Island. Michael Jackson died Thursday afternoon from complications with cardiac arrest in Los Angeles. The vigil was put on by radio DJ Doc Roc of Hot 93.9. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin). Canon EOS 1D Mark III, EF 70-200 f2.8L IS at 200mm, Exposure mode: Manual, 1/1000 sec at f2.8, ISO 800, daylight whitebalance.

Photographed a perpetrator in Circuit Court today.  Court is always touchy because of several factors.  One, you don’t want to interrupt the proceedings with your loud shutter.  Two, chances are, the person you are photographing does NOT want his/her photograph taken while up there.  Three, the photographer is relegated to the corner of the exit door because the jurors are taking up the whole other half of the courtroom, which means a side view shot.

…Of course, all of the above happened to me today.  But I managed to line up Pulu Mataalaeli, who is accused of attempted murder for allegedly tossing his 7-month old child around in a van during an argument with his girlfriend, with one of his lawyers for a graphically sound image, almost Stonehengey in look.

Canon EOS 1D Mark III, EF 70-200 2.8L IS at 280mm (with a 1.4 extender), Exposure mode: Manual, 1/320 @ f4, ISO 3200, tungsten whitebalance

I also had the privelege of chatting and meeting KSSK radio personality Larry Price the other day to photograph him for our Centurions tab for UH Football.  The two hours spent with him were amazing–the stories and recollections he had from his days as a player and coach were so interesting that I caught myself just holding my camera because I was just intently listening to his conversation with Dave Reardon.  Here’s my favorite photo of him from that session, which didn’t run unfortunately but I thought I’d share with all of you.  Enjoy!

And, for the record, I’m back in effect! Sorry for the hiatus!

Larry Price, former UH Football player and coach, is reflected on the Clark Shaughnessy Trophy, the only piece of memorabilia he owns from his days as UH Football coach Monday, June 15, 2009 at the KSSK Offices in Iwilei (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin).

Was on a mission for wild art yesterday and decided to visit a place my father used to take me as a kid to watch planes.  I just got there, and a trio of U.S. Airforce F-15’s were taking off from the Reef Runway.  Armed with only a 70-200, I parked and tracked them as they took off, and was lucky enough to catch this gentleman covering his ears in my frame during my pan motion–wild art mission:  accomplished!

Rick Swazey covers his ears as an Air National Guard F-15 Eagle takes off from the Reef Runway Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at Keehi Lagoon near the Airport. (Jamm Aquino/Honolulu Star-Bulletin).