The big island of Hawaii is one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet, and as such, the ever-changing landscape and shifting weather patterns provide a rich palette of breathtaking natural beauty. Long a destination for tourists and now a burgeoning enclave for the ultra-wealthy, most visitors are treated to carefully-curated adventures that neglect to expose the pervasive ethnic and racial tension, wealth inequality, under-employment, and substance abuse problems that impact the local population and record their marks on the landscape.
This project is by no means complete, and I am eager to return to the island and expand the scope and depth of the work, delving more deeply into these dichotomies, but for now, I'm thrilled to share the initial phase of this endeavor with you.