Hyatt Place/Hyatt House at Ho'opili
The Hyatt Place/Hyatt House at Ho'opili is a dual-branded property and the first hotel to open in Ewa Beach. Photographed over six days during the property's pre-opening phase, the project came with the familiar challenges of new construction- coordinating around contractors.
Regardless, it was a rewarding project to work on with the Hyatt team. When I think of Ewa, I'm reminded of childhood drives along H-1, looking out at miles of sugar cane fields beneath expansive blue skies. While the plantations have long since given way to new neighborhoods, it's what I remember most about the area.
That sense of place influenced my approach to the photography. Rather than isolating the hotel, I wanted it to feel like a natural extension of the surrounding community. The property sits alongside new residential neighborhoods and the Honolulu Skyline rail, reflecting ʻEwa's continued growth.
I intentionally emphasized the expansive skies and grand clouds (subtly enhanced in post-processing) as a nod to the area's agricultural past and its wide-open landscapes. Every image was personally edited to preserve a natural, nuanced look that reflects how I experienced the property. Carefully composed window views create a visual connection between the guestrooms and the neighborhood beyond. The result is a collection of images that presents the hotel not as a destination apart from its surroundings, but as an integral part of the evolving Ho'opili community.