I have been interested in photography ever since the good old days of freshman year in high school. I didn't really start to pursue photography until I became interested in the ocean. I bodyboarded all through high school, but it was an off and on type of sport. I finally started to take bodyboarding seriously after I graduated from high school in 2002. Since then I have been overwhelmed by the sport and I took my photography skills along for a ride. Combining my two skills I began developing a love for the ocean and the beauty I could capture through photography.

I dabbled a little in video editing as I was trying to perfect my photographic talent. It wasn't until 2006 that I finally broke my bank and went all out into photography. I purchased a good digital SLR camera along with a few lenses and a water housing. This has proven to be one of best investments to date. I am thrilled that I am able to capture such powerful moments and share them with the world. I am still learning the fine art, as we all never stop learning.

I have been in a traveling family my whole life. I have been to and lived in different countries for a good majority of my childhood. Not only have I lived in foreign countries, I have also lived in several cities on the mainland. I came to Hawai'i in 1997 with my family to start high school and hopefully stay in one spot for a while. I have local roots as my great grandparents came from Japan and Portugal. Most of my ohana is from the islands. It just so happened that I was born and raised away from Hawai'i.

Having lived in different countries Hawai'i was not much of a culture shock for me; it was rather easy to adapt to traditions and to pick up the lingo; especially since I was raised with Hawai'i traditions. Within my time being in Hawai'i I have learned and have come to respect the culture and the melting pot of people that are currently in the islands. I have learned the 'Aloha' spirit and wish to share that with others from across the globe through images of the natural beauty of Hawai'i.

I would like to thank Mr. Danny Black from bodyboardershawaii.com for always showing me the aloha spirit with photographic help and for supporting bodyboarding wholeheartedly.

I would also like to thank Mr. Ryan Beppu of beppuphoto.com for steering me in the right direction in the field of photography; and for always letting me pick his brain.