Our series Hometown Saints continues with a look at New Orleans Saints center Max Unger's family and his hometown of Hookena, Hawaii.
Photos by Marco Garcia
Cynda and Keith Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, hold a Saint's flag inside a tack room on McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda and Keith Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, stand atop an ancient lava flow on the shores of Hookena Beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent his youth swimming and camping at Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda and Keith Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, overlook their land on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Keith Unger, father of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, points ro his Saint's flag pinned to his ATV on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda and Keith Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, stand inside a tack room on McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Keith Unger, father of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, corrals horses on McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Keith Unger, father of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, opens a cattle gate on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda and Keith Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, stand inside a tack room on McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Horse saddles sit inside a tack room on McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda and Keith Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, stand inside their hope aired on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Keith, left and Cynda Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, sit in their kitchen at their home on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Keith Unger, father of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, holds his son's NFL Pro Bowl football at their family home on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A youthful signature of NFL center Max Unger is carved into the cement of the sidewalk next to the Unger family home at the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A belt buckle with the McCandless Ranch symbol sits atop a paniolo, or Hawaiian style cowboy hat, at the Unger family home, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Keith Unger, father of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, pulls his son's surfboard out of the garage at the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A surfboard belonging to NFL center Max Unger, sits next to the Unger family garage at the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A view of the Unger family home at the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda Unger, mother of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, shows off a ukulele made by her son, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. While living in Seattle, Max crafted the ukulele using koa wood harvested from his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda Unger, mother of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, shows off a ukulele made by her son, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. While living in Seattle, Max crafted the ukulele using koa wood harvested from his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Keith Unger, father of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, sits among family pictures and his son's NFL memorabilia at their family home on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda and Keith Unger, parents of New Orleans Saints center Max Unger, sits among family pictures and their son's NFL memorabilia at their family home on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Unger family pictures sit atop a table at the Unger family home on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Cynda Unger holds a picture of her son, Max Unger in his high school football uniform, while in her kitchen at her home on the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. Max Unger grew up on the 7000 acre working cattle ranch on the slopes of Mauna Loa. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
An ancient lava from Mauna Loa stretches into the ocean on the shores of Hookena Beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent his youth swimming and camping at Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Palm trees sway on the beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
As a cruise ship is seen in the distance, the ocean washes up on the shore, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Palm trees sway on the beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Old Airport sports field is seen, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger, who grew up on the Big Island, played many sports at the "old A" field including winning a championship football game. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Palm trees sway on the beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A view from the Unger family home at the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent time riding horses and working on the ranch. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Beach goers walk down Hookena Beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent his youth swimming and camping at Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Traditional style canoes sit atop the beach at Hookena Beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent his youth swimming and camping at Hookena Beach. The canoes are still used to fish by Native Hawaiians. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A marlin decorates a sign, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A sign offering Kona coffee is seen at a shop near the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Beach goers walk down Hookena Beach, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Hookena, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. According to family, Max spent his youth swimming and camping at Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A symbol of Hawaiian royalty is seen on the gates of the Hulie'e Palace, the former summer home for Hawaiian royalty, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
A visitor walks near the Hulie'e Palace, the former summer home for Hawaiian royalty, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
The old Kona Theater sits on the highway leading towards the McCandless Ranch, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Captan Cook, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on his family's McCandless Ranch, a 7000 acre working cattle ranch that starts on the slopes of Mauna Loa stretches down to Hookena Beach. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
The iconic steeple of the Mokuaikaua Church is seen, Wed, Jan. 16, 2019, in Kailua Kona, Hawaii. NFL football center Max Unger grew up on the Big Island and spent his youth around the Kailua Kona area. (Marco Garcia for the New Orleans Saints)
Throughout the playoffs NewOrleansSaints.com will be showcasing the hometowns of players to give fans a look at the communities and the people that influenced them. The ninth part of our series of photos essays is a look at where center Max Unger grew up in Hookena, Hawaii.
The photo essay was shot by Marco Garcia, who for the last 16 years has worked in Hawaii and parts of Asia documenting Pearl Harbor survivors, tsunami victims, and surfers catching big waves. He's been yelled at by then-Senator Barack Obama for taking paparazzi pix of him on the beach and was almost run over by Antonio Cromartie during a last second play during Pro Bowl. Originally from Texas, Marco has made Hawaii his home and has no plans to trade the beach for the city streets anytime soon. Some of Marco's clients include the Wall Street Journal, Sony, and The New York Times. Marco is also a prolific writer and has documented his travels across Hawaii including driving down Maui's famed Hana Highway and written about Hawaii's many colored beaches.
