Divine Light

In Hanalei, on the north shore of Kauai, Wai'oli Hui'ia Church sits almost perfectly hidden among the deep greens of the tropical landscape. I’d been drawn to the church before, but this evening the conditions were different. The setting sun was breaking through dramatic clouds, and because the church faces west, its facade was catching the last warm light of the day.

I moved around until I found the angle I wanted, using the position of the sun to concentrate its reflected light into the stained glass windows. Against the dark green foliage and approaching clouds, those small patches of color seemed to glow from within. It was one of those moments where a few feet of movement made all the difference.

I called the photograph Divine Light because, in that moment, the church seemed to be emitting its own light. The warm glow through the stained glass made it appear almost like a beacon—standing quietly in the landscape, offering a sense of hope and sanctuary to anyone who might need it.