25th June 2004: The Kahala Mandarin Oriental in Oahu

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The Kahala Mandarin Oriental is the hotel where we stayed for our wedding in June 2004. At that time, it was a luxurious resort offering both serenity and refinement, located in the prestigious residential area of Kahala on Oahu. Following a major renovation in 1996, the property featured expansive tropical gardens, a cascading waterfall, and its iconic natural lagoon. Four bottlenose dolphins lived in the lagoon, allowing guests to enjoy the unforgettable “Dolphin Quest” experience.

The guest rooms were designed with classic warmth, incorporating mahogany furnishings, Tibetan rugs, and grass-cloth wall coverings, creating an atmosphere of quiet elegance. It was also the only hotel on Oahu to receive the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award at the time, recognized for its world‑class service.

In 2005, the hotel transitioned to independent management under the new name “The Kahala Hotel & Resort,” departing from its former brand affiliation. In recent years, as the property celebrates its 60th anniversary, a comprehensive renovation has been underway from 2024 to 2025, introducing brighter, more refined, and contemporary design throughout the resort. It remains a hotel I hope to visit again someday.　

These photographs were taken with the Nikon D1x, released in 2001.

At that time, film photography was still my primary focus, and because I was not yet familiar with controlling white balance, I did not use the camera very often and eventually parted with it. Now, twenty‑five years later, we are firmly in the era of digital photography and the Z‑mount system. Today, I primarily use the D850, D750, D5500, and D40X. Having spent many years shooting with the F, F2, and F3, I still feel a strong attachment to the F‑mount, and I hope to continue photographing with it for a while longer.