Client Geoffrey Fricker:

Of all the ways to document environmental damage threatening the paradise that is Hawaii, it's hard to imagine any more powerfully convincing than Geoffrey Fricker's photography. Known for his ethereal black-and-white images, Geoffrey began shooting Hawaii's natural lands nearly 40 years ago. He recently concluded his work on the islands and, along with a writing and editing team, plans to publish a book of his photographs accompanied by narrative text explaining the consequences of environmental, economic and cultural change over the islands' history. The work will be a contemplative book that also questions the future.

 

"Water in Hawai'i is power," Geoffrey explains. "Without the industrialization of water, the sugar industry would not

have been feasible. With the decline of the sugar industry, the fate of that water and, thus, how the environment will

be 'used' becomes essential in contemporary Hawai'i.

"Hawai’i leads the United States and much of the rest of the world in the rate of loss of species. How well

we succeed in stemming this loss in Hawai’i will forecast the fate of the earth’s entire biosphere in the coming century."

 

Attracting funding support for a project such as this requires a translator - someone with the ability to transfer the deeply meditative qualities of the  Merging Destinies book project into the practical language of social investors who both understand its importance and expect organizational, if not monetary, benefit in return.  As his nine-day trip to solidify the Hawaii project approached, Geoff asked if I might assist. While he packed up gear in California in preparation for shooting his final images on the islands, I set to work on the East Coast. My sleuthing turned up a roster of deeply researched contacts affiliated with organizations well aware of the value of a public understanding of the changing cultural and environmental landscape of Hawaii.

 

Geoff left for his trip armed with my contributions of new contacts, well-crafted introductory emails seeking appointments during his time on the islands, and a prospectus brief that speaks a funder's language.  Based on these, Geoffrey was able to set up a few meetings. After radio silence during his time off the mainland, Geoff returned to proclaim the trip a success. The prospectus and introductory inquiries resulted in productive meetings in Hawaii with potential financial partners.

 

"I was able to take some more photographs, but also identified and have the support [of partners]," Geoff said. "I feel you really made a difference."

 

Pômaika`i to the Merging Destinies project.