Wow what an awesome day. I went diving with Prodiver today.
KIHEI - Local photographer Douglas J. Hoffman uses his lens as a language. His underwater photographs, many of which are taken in waters off Hawaii, have been picked up by international organizations to aid environmental activism, thus helping causes where Hoffman can use his creativity to communicate.
"My pictures speak so I don't have to," Hoffman said. "Important environmental concepts are being addressed that I could never put to words. They have experts who write compelling reasons, and my images drive the message home. I hope my photographs evoke an emotional response."
In April, Hoffman's shark photographs were used by two Humane Society International projects to help end shark finning in China. His photos reached thousands via large displays, brochures and Internet. While shark fin soup is a traditional Asian delicacy, HIS's global campaign aims to draw global attention to shark finning and its impact on shark populations and the ocean's delicate ecosystem.
Hoffman's images have also been used in international campaigns to protect whales, dolphins, turtles and other marine life. He also created Art for Conservation, where 50 percent of the net proceeds from his limited-edition portraits go to nonprofit organizations such as The Whale Dolphin Conservation Society, the Pacific Whale Foundation and the Japanese Red Cross. Each of which are "dedicated to protecting whales and our marine environment," according to Hoffman.
"I love our ocean and our planet," Hoffman said. "We all have a responsibility to do what we can. Maybe this is my way to give back and to preserve the Earth for my kids and for their kids."
Hoffman's underwater photography has received numerous awards and his work was recently added to Lahaina Artist Emporium at 700 Front St. Known for underwater photography of whales, sharks, turtles and coral reefs, Hoffman's collection includes new pieces that capture local scenes - the old church past the Kaupo store on the backside of Hana, a waterfall along the road to Hana, sunset from Makena and the bamboo forest in Huelo, among others. His portraits are printed on aluminum and canvas.
The artist, who lives with his two daughters and wife, Mieko, in Kihei, said that global issues have local impact, and that each individual can bring about change.
"We have to think not only about here at home, but also globally," Hoffman said. "In Hawaii, we are a combination of every race on earth. If we all make an effort, we can all make a difference.
September 12-21, 2012
The adventure will start in Ha'apai, the middle island group of Tonga, and end in Vavau' the Northern island group. The plan is to spend five days sailing among the myriad of islands in the Kotu islands of Ha'apai. This area is known for having an abundance of whales and few if any other boats. From there we will head north to the Seamounts that are in the Vavau group but too far south to be visited by land based operations in Vavau. This area is productive having had consistent Humpback and dolphin encounters over the last several years. Next, we will head north to Toku and Fonualei islands located 40-50 nautical miles north of Vavau'. These islands are isolated and known to have Humpback Whales as well as False Killer Whales, & Oceanic White Tips. We will stay in this area for two nights before heading to Vavau where guests will depart. Toku island is too far North for most of the boats from Vavau, and we should have the area pretty much to ourselves. Blue Planet filmed all their whale footage in these waters.
Sept 22- Oct 1
Guests will board at 9:00 Am and we will set sail for Toku and Fonualei Island 40-50 nautical miles north of Vavau'. These islands are known to have Humpback Whales as well as False Killer Whales, & Oceanic White Tips. Blue Planet filmed all their whale footage in these waters.We will stay in this area for a 4-5 days before setting sail for Late island about 45 miles to the south. This island is too far for the day boats from Vavau and is known to have frequent sightings of whale sharks and Mola Mola (sun fish). We should have the area pretty much to ourselves. We will spend two nights here then sail to the southern seamounts about 40 miles south by south east. These seamounts are just a bit too far for all but a few of the day boats from Vavau' and are known to be popular spots for mother and baby whales and dolphins. We will spend 2-3 nights in this area and the last night will be at anchor near the main harbor in Vavau making it easy for guests to disembark the next morning.
Oct 2 -12, 2012. Guests will board in vavau' around 9 AM and our first destination will be Toku & Fonualei islands located 40-50 nautical miles north of Vavau'. These islands are known to have Humpback Whales as well as False Killer Whales, & Oceanic White Tips. The Blue plant crew filmed the Humpback sequences here. We will spend 2-3 nights here. Our next destination is a about 70 miles south and consists of a series of seamounts just a bit too far south for all but a few of the day boats from Vavau'. These waters are known to be popular spots for mother and baby whales and dolphins. We will stay in this area for 2 days then continue south to the Kotu islands in Ha'apai. The plan is to spend five days sailing among the myriad of islands. Most of which are uninhabited. This area is known for having an abundance of whales and few if any other boats. Guests will depart in Ha'apai, the morning of October 12th.
Contact us as soon as possible to reserve your space. For information email dhimages@maui.net
These photographs were created on April 23, 2011 in Beijing China. They were created by the Humane Society International. The photographs feature shark images I donated for a HSI project specifically designed to end the practice of Shark Finning. 
The time has come for fisherman the world over to stop catching sharks, and harvesting only their fins for soup. While the campaign is world wide, these photographs were created in China at the Beijing Zoo. In addition the HSI is doing a joint venture with the Dr. Jane Goodall Institute and is created an educational resource for their database and website that includes these shark images. 
During April, I will feature a collection of Maui's scenic locations, Humpback Whales, turtles, sharks, and sunsets printed on aluminum, canvas, and fine art rag paper. Also displayed will be a piece made by Mieko called Prayer for the Whales.
This week the Humane Society International asked if they could use my shark images for two projects next month. www.hsi.org
First is for the Jane Goodall Institute China project web site in which the Humane Society Internationals shark education project will have its own sub-site under http://www.genyuya.org.cn/ JGI China is currently revamping this website and the new one will include interactive features attractive to young students. Inaddition the images will appear in a one-page leaflet and 500 posters.
Second, is an Earth Day event: The Humane Society International will be displaying photos of sharks (24’ x 34’ or 15’ x 25’ ) at the Beijing Zoo on April 23, Saturday. The Beijing Zoo attracts tens of thousands visitors a day. We’ll have a table with No Shark Fin brochures & photos of sharks.
Its an honor to have my images used in these campaigns. I hope they evoke an emotional response that leads to positive change in terms of the shameless killing sharks just for their fins.
Those interested in shark diving in Fiji , please check out my trips page.
Last week I had the opportunity to create a portrait of Chef James from Io', pacific'O, and Feast of Lele. The chef is a firm subscriber to the point of view food should come from the farm and go right on the plate. Here is the chef picking beets at O'o farm.
