We met them at their house and were greeted by the little ones, doing what they do best, being silly and rambunctious as boys typically are. They packed up in our truck, loaded in, and we were off. We headed west where we would find ourselves on Lower Saki Mana Road, a 20 minute drive north on a dirt that would lead to one of the most gorgeous beaches I ever set foot on. Daniel and I were already in the bed of our white Nissan Frontier rental truck, Joanne and Priscilla up front with the boys, and the trek began. I remember that bumpy ride, laughing with Daniel and the family in the back over conversation through the tiny window into the cab.

We got closer and closer to the beach, the dirt road began to turn into sand. Daniel assured us it was safe to bring the truck on the beach, as long as it was driven in the tracks left by the other trucks — trucks that were lifted and fitted with tires specifically for that. We were in a rental and while our truck did offer some 4x4 capabilities, it wasn’t the best truck to bring. Trying to communicate through that tiny window was difficult with the wind blowing, the bumpy ride, and the noise of the engine — even with us yelling. I remember Joanne yelling, “What do you want me to do?!” and as Daniel yelled back at her, “Whatever you do, don’t go up that hill and don’t stop!” — the truck went outside the tracks and up a tiny sand dune. The truck was stuck.

OMFG.

I thought our afternoon was going to be spent digging out sand from underneath the tires. Luckily there were a handful of locals out there with their well equipped trucks — I saw a few of the trucks pushing 25-35mph in the sand, tires deflated to get the most traction out of them. Daniel waved down a group, who happened to be out there for the day, Hawaiian pidgin so thick I could barely understand them. We traded cold Pacific’o beers for their help. They helped deflate our tires to a reasonable PSI and pushed the truck out from where it got stuck.

They playfully chased me, and I playfully chased them, exchanging roars as if they were my own. A lot of energy was spent but worth every ounce of it.

The sun began to slowly set on the horizon, the sky turning from oranges, reds and pinks, and eventually to a cool calming blue. I used that moment in transition to allow them to be together and photographed from a distance.