We may not always see it, but it’s there. Our moon. I love looking up in the sky and seeing any and every phase, from a subtle crescent to a vibrant full circle.
Our Moon Turns the Tide
As the Earth’s only natural satellite, the moon is a powerful force, quite literally. Its gravitational pull generates what’s known as tidal force, which determines the high and low tides here. Although the moon’s gravity can’t compete with Earth’s (which keeps us here on this planet), it is strong enough to affect the water in our oceans. As sources at NOAA explain, “the tidal force causes Earth—and its water—to bulge out on the side closest to the moon and the side farthest from the moon. These bulges of water are high tides.”
So…When Can I Surf??
The moon affect the tides, and in turn, the tides affect the waves…and the waves affect my chances for dawn patrol! As a surfer, I’ve always kept a close eye on what the tides are doing at different times of each year, month and day. So the moon and I go way back!!
A Meaningful Moon in Hawai‘i
Here in Hawai‘i, the moon, or mahina, holds great meaning. As the Ho‘okua‘āina group explains, each Hawaiian lunar month was divided into three anahulu or period of 10 days, based on what the moon was up to. These were called Ho‘onui (rising), Poepoe (full or round) and Emi (diminishing).
Throughout Hawaiian history, the moon has impacted agriculture and planting seasons; for instance, different moon phases determined when kalo (taro) patches were planted and harvested. To this day, some believe that kalo stands up straighter and taller when planted on the night of a full moon.
It also plays a huge role in ocean navigation and fishing here. Native Hawaiians always paid attention to the impact that tides had on marine life. So the moon is clearly important for many reasons, especially here in the islands.
An Intimate Look
It’s a special experience to see our moon up close, thanks to a camera’s powerful eye. The first time I tried out my telephoto lens, I was struck by the amount of detail and texture my photos picked up! I caught a glimpse of some of the 100,000+ craters of the moon in several shots.
The Moon in Darkness & Light
Seeing the moon as a beacon in the pitch-black sky is striking, but I also love it when the moon hangs around at dawn or makes an early appearance at sunset, saying a polite hello against a sky brushed with color. No matter the phase or time, it’s always a treat to showcase the moon in all her glory, and I’m happy to share these photos with you.