My summer vacation
Hawaiian watercolors by Ron Croci
For 25 years I have vacationed in the summer, as well as being a full-time resident, to the shores of Waikiki. However, this year's events were entirely unexpected. I have created a series of 28 watercolor paintings depicting my adventures this summer, along with descriptions of each piece of artwork. I went from the joy of peeling turquoise waves blowing their beautiful white spray skywards, to a life-threatening illness of which I almost succumbed. I am proof that you can come back. I hope you find the record of this journey interesting.
Words and paintings by surf artist Ron Croci. Click on the images to enlarge…
Kahanamoku Pond
This beautiful gem of a pool is right in front of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It is a gateway to the world's most beautiful water sports paradise.
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Diamond Head through the Kaisers small park
This has been the site of thousands of beach boys' barbecues.
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Kaisers parking lot
This place I compare to John Steinbeck's Cannery Row. It is a surfer's surf spot. All the main characters have been here for decades.
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Canoe Clubs
For decades Nappy Napoleon, lead master of modern canoeing, has directed canoe clubs from this picturesque mini park adjacent to the Kaiser's parking lot.
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Looking Back
This is a view from the Kaiser's jetty, looking back at the canoes and the Ilikai Hotel. I am always filled with anticipation because of the surf to come.
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Kaisers
I have surfed this break thousands of times, and still I love being there no matter the crowd or the surf. The Kaiser's Bowl till death do us part.
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Kaiser's Right
This small glassy hollow tube over razor sharp reef, with a view of Diamond Head through the barrel, is a thrill ride through water. The channel markers are at the end of each ride.
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Kaiser's Left
Not as hollow as the right but longer. Just scratching over the sets and watching the guys taking off in a shower of offshore spray is one of action sports closest relationships of viewer to participant.
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Korean Temple
After a long surf session there are always lots of things to do like visiting the Korean Temple in Palolo Valley. I was sitting making this watercolor when a Kung Fu practicing Monk came up to me and said I should ask myself the question, "Who am I?"
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Ala Moana from the Ala Wai Harbor
This is the lunch table from the Poor Boy's Yacht Club. The peeling left of Bowls is in the distance.
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Rock Piles
Not as gunshot as Kaisers, not as long barrels as Bowls, but a wonderful left that thousands of eager surfers feast on.
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Sunset Point
Seen here on a balmy summer day, it is hard to imagine the heroic waves that pass through here during the winter season.
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Kona
After 9 days of surfing Waikiki I am starting to feel weak but need to go to the big island on business. I can only describe this view of Moana Loa as majestic.
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Kealakokua Bay
This is where Captain Cook made his European discovery of Hawaii and his eventual death. I am feeling very weak, I think I need to see a doctor.
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Surgery
After realizing that I have a huge liver infection, I am realizing that this is life and death and surgery must be immediate. My kind wife and the frantic hospital personnel surround me, I am going out now and am thinking that I am alright with dying.
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View from the hospital bed
Even though I was so ill I didn't care to see anything, the view outside my window was a tropical paradise.
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Jalopies and mangoes
While recovering I had many morphine-induced nightmares. I dreamt I was on the island of Samoa while cryptic people were standing around a distant fruit stand. There were strange old cars filled with mangoes.
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We belong to each other
I dreamt very vividly that I was hugging my father and could feel his whiskery cheek, while I spoke the title of this painting, about my long-ago passed away mother.
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Chinese New Year
I had an outstandingly realistic nightmare that I was flying over a Chinese New Year. It was very chaotic; while Chinese men were kissing my ear and making little pebbles come out of it. The nights were terrifying so, at this point, I stopped taking morphine.
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Midnight flight
After two and a half weeks in an intensive care unit, I was strong enough to have all the drainage tubes removed, and took the midnight flight home. Of all the dozens of plane flights I have been on, the only time I ever had a worst flight is the time when I drank too much alcohol while partying in Singapore, after working on John Milius' classic, Farewell to the King, on the island of Borneo.
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Home at last
After these life-changing ordeals, I was deliriously glad to be back home. Still, it took me four more weeks to recover.
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Dedicated to Bill Smith…
I would like to dedicate this online exhibit of artwork to my good friend, Bill Smith, who passed away in November, 2010. Bill was a surf instructor and gave the gift of surfing to thousands of people. We surfed, laughed and hung out together for 25 years on the beautiful shores of Waikiki.
- 15 illustrated short stories about 'Beach Fights'…
- Californian & Hawaiian watercolors by Ron Croci
- More watercolor paintings from Bali by Ron Croci
- Interview with Ron Croci
- Roxy Jam poster artwork painting tutorial by Ron Croci
- Illustrations on how the ancient Hawaiian's built their boards and tools
- Ron's official website