Welcome to the LuʻuLive Visual Archive Project, a growing digital home for Hawai‘i’s coastlines and underwater worlds.
Our goal is simple: to build an open, high-quality video library of O‘ahu’s dive sites so everyone can see what’s happening below the surface before they dive in.
We’re inviting divers, underwater filmmakers, and ocean enthusiasts to join us as site cinematographers and collect footage of dive spots across the island. Whether you shoot with a GoPro or pro-grade cinema gear, your footage helps create a living, visual record of Hawai‘i’s reefs. Each video you share supports safer, smarter, and more inspiring dives across the islands.
Be part of the crew and help us show the ocean through your eyes 👀
The next sections explain what we’re looking for, how to film, and where to send your footage. Most of our target sites are O‘ahu favorites already loved by local divers.
Check out some of our example clips to get a sense of what we’re after. We’re looking for shots captured both above and below the surface so we can bring the whole dive story together.
Beach view:
Makai Research Pier (conditions: good)
Electric Beach (conditions: poor)
Underwater view:
Electric Beach Bubblers (conditions: excellent 80ft)
Hanauma Bay (conditions: excellent)
Point Panic (conditions: good)
Got a drone? Awesome — email us at
contact@luulive.com for tips on submitting aerial shots.
All videos should follow these specs to make it the best viewing experience:
Resolution: 1080p (1920x1080).
Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Landscape).
Duration: 10 - 60 seconds per clip.
Format: .MP4 or .MOV.
Minimum Bitrate: 10 Mbps (standard iPhone 10 and above)
Stability (Shore): Use a tripod or hold very steady. No panning, tilting, or zooming.
Stability (Underwater): Use a weighted tray/steady-cam system for underwater.
⚠️ DO NOT PLACE TRIPOD ON CORAL/LIVE ROCK. Instead, place tripod on sandy bottom. No panning, tilting, or zooming.
Glare Control: Avoid filming directly into the sun. For beach shots, shoot with the sun at your back or at a high angle to minimize lens flare.
Foreground Clarity: Ensure the shot is "clean." No people walking through the frame, no beach umbrellas/bags in the foreground, and no swaying vegetation (like kelp or palm leaves) obscuring the primary view.
The "Window" Effect: The camera should feel like a stationary window. Let the movement of the water and marine life provide the action, do not pan the camera.
Framing: Wide angle shots are preferred, try to capture the entire landscape within your frame as opposed to a zoomed in shot. We are trying to document the overall health/activity of the environment.
Before you upload, help us out by renaming your files to the following format.
Format: SiteName_Type_Date_ContributorName
SiteName: Use the name from the site list (e.g., SharksCove, ElectricBeach).
Type: Use Beach for shore views and Underwater for submerged views.
Date: YYYYMMDD format.
ContributorName: Your first and last name or social handle.
Example: ElectricBeach_Underwater_20240520_JohnDoe.mp4
These are the spots where we’re looking for footage, we promise they’re fun! Remember we’re looking for footage on the good and bad days, so whether your video shows 3 ft of visibility or 20 ft, we’ll take it all.
Perks for Contributors
We really appreciate your time and skill. For every fully approved video submission, you’ll earn a one-month Premium credit (worth $5). Once Premium launches, you’ll unlock early access to our live-streaming underwater cameras and exclusive footage from around the islands.
Have Questions?
We’re always happy to help. Reach out anytime at contact@luulive.com with questions, feedback, or just to talk story about the project.
Mahalo for helping us share Hawai‘i’s underwater beauty with the world.
By checking this box, I acknowledge that I have read and understood the
Terms and Conditions, I am voluntarily participating in this program with full knowledge of the involved risks, and I accept full responsibility for my participation.
