Aloha Tree Alliance members are doing their part to slow climate change and foster cultural respect and awareness of natural resources across the Hawaiian Islands.
Their pilot project, which I have been documenting, involves the restoration of the watershed at Kuli’ou’ou Ridge Trail, on Oahu. Volunteers are learning the importance of mālama ‘āina as they plant and water native trees and shrubs … over 6,000 to date.
Ballet Hawaii offers programs, productions, and presentations that contribute to the enrichment of the cultural climate in the community. Known for their lavish Hawaiian-themed Nutcracker set in the 1858 Kingdom of Hawai’i, they offer a one-night performance at no cost to attendees who are from lower-income schools and households. I had the honor of being granted an all-access pass to photograph this performance and to help Ballet Hawaii tell their story of philanthropy.
Since 1988, Honolulu Habitat has rallied thousands of volunteers to work with skilled tradespeople to build homes for deserving families across O‘ahu. Over the years, I have had the privilege of documenting the collaborative process, one home, one family, at a time. I was also asked to illustrate Wahine Build, a story of women in construction. For more on my work with Habitat, please click here.
I spent an academic year as the artist-in-residence at this progressive elementary school in Makiki, where I sought to capture the “joyous work” of learning through the discoveries and connections made by its students.
See the video here.
The only zoo within a radius of over 2,000 miles, the Honolulu Zoo is a showcase not only for animals but also for humans, including outdoor concerts and children’s programs. Some of my images taken at the zoo’s request have appeared in the digital version of Smithsonian Magazine.
In line with its mission to empower youth through environmental stewardship opportunities, Kupu called on me to document a day of service at Waimea Bay, where volunteers were working to eradicate invasive species of plants and coconut rhinoceros beetles that are destroying Hawai’i’s palm trees.
Originally called the Men’s Shed, Honolulu’s shed was the first in the U.S. designed as a gathering place for older people, working “shoulder to shoulder” on projects for the community. It has been my honor over the years to photograph this interesting and productive group of individuals, who are rarely the focus of portraits.
The Merwin Conservancy engaged me to help tell the story of this once depleted land — now a thriving palm garden and residency program for writers and artists — through photographs of artifacts and team members, as well as the site’s built and natural features that continue to captivate people’s imaginations.
I was engaged to help tell the immigration stories of 11 remarkable individuals who, with the help of PGC, have been able to restart their lives in Hawai‘i, working through challenges to become productive — and very grateful — members of the community.
In my capacity as a marketing consultant, I was asked to help Re-use Hawai’i create a presentation on the benefits of deconstruction over demolition. In my capacity as a photographer, I helped this nonprofit document the hard work of those who are tasked with dismantling buildings and re-using salvageable materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.
Thanks to Rotarians across the Islands, the only remaining patch of under-developed land in central Waikīkī was transformed from a barren, debris-strewn gravel lot into an oasis of greenery known as Centennial Park. Over two days, I documented the work and satisfaction of volunteers planting hundreds of native Pohinahina, tī plants, and Queen Emma spider lilies.
