Arlen
photographe d'exception
I recently returned from a 3 week vacation on Maui, Hawaii.
Our last week was in Paia on the North Shore, kind of a surfer town. We were on the beach on our second last day. I noted when we got to this beach that there were quite a few locals there who don't really like sharing the local beaches with tourists, so I was a bit wondering if we should be there. I have a 3 year old son and there were many other kids there as well and other tourists too.
I had my Leica M4 with a Canon 50mm f1.2 in a bag which is not obviously a camera bag. I did take 2 pictures over the 2 hour period we were on the beach but for the most part I was under the radar.
At one point I was standing on the beach facing the ocean watching the surfers and I suddenly noticed someone walk too close to me - someone was in my space behind me. My instinct had me look over my left shoulder and sure enough a grubby looking dirt bag local had the bag which had the M4 in it. I immediately said "What the f*ck are you doing with my bag?" As the thief proceeded to put the bag down says "I put it back." I said once again very loudly so EVERYONE could hear "What the f*ck are you dong with my bag thief" As he turnsa dn begins walking away he says "Don't be a baby or I'll knock you out." I very very loudly say "You f'n" thief!"
After a while I saw him down the beach with a bunch of other grubby locals and I could tell the story was getting them alll worked up into a frenzy so we decided to leave at that point.
The next day we drove past this spot and noticed the same group there again so it is a hangout.
A note to anyone in the area in the future. It is the first beach as you go West from Paia before Baldwin Beach.
I must say we did enjoy our holiday though. Overall the locals are friendly. The sites are awesome.
Our last week was in Paia on the North Shore, kind of a surfer town. We were on the beach on our second last day. I noted when we got to this beach that there were quite a few locals there who don't really like sharing the local beaches with tourists, so I was a bit wondering if we should be there. I have a 3 year old son and there were many other kids there as well and other tourists too.
I had my Leica M4 with a Canon 50mm f1.2 in a bag which is not obviously a camera bag. I did take 2 pictures over the 2 hour period we were on the beach but for the most part I was under the radar.
At one point I was standing on the beach facing the ocean watching the surfers and I suddenly noticed someone walk too close to me - someone was in my space behind me. My instinct had me look over my left shoulder and sure enough a grubby looking dirt bag local had the bag which had the M4 in it. I immediately said "What the f*ck are you doing with my bag?" As the thief proceeded to put the bag down says "I put it back." I said once again very loudly so EVERYONE could hear "What the f*ck are you dong with my bag thief" As he turnsa dn begins walking away he says "Don't be a baby or I'll knock you out." I very very loudly say "You f'n" thief!"
After a while I saw him down the beach with a bunch of other grubby locals and I could tell the story was getting them alll worked up into a frenzy so we decided to leave at that point.
The next day we drove past this spot and noticed the same group there again so it is a hangout.
A note to anyone in the area in the future. It is the first beach as you go West from Paia before Baldwin Beach.
I must say we did enjoy our holiday though. Overall the locals are friendly. The sites are awesome.
dave lackey
Veteran
Uggh...15 years ago, it was exactly the same.
There are places you go as a tourist and places you should not, even in a place like Hawaii! Damn, you can never let your guard down especially when visiting some place.