Islands Covid Divide

PPH recently completed a 2 resident project, both on the pristine shores near Princeville, Kauai. Traveling from KOA to LIH via HNL was eerily easy yet realize the same measures during quarantine free times will likely become a prohibitive nightmare. All the frontline airline and TSA/USANG were professional to and from and the stories from the locals are all the same on each island.... This a "strangely beautiful time" or to the affect, all reminiscing as this being the way of life of Hawaiiana.

From a visitors perspective and a landscape photographer perspective, the current state of the state is Social Media content creation ultimate dream with all of the wonders of the islands being empty. Pulling straight into the parking lot at the Waimea Canyon lookout seeing only two other cars was bewildering and a completely empty lookout for the nearly 20 minutes we were there was simply magical, an experience I will cherish forever. Each island has adopted varying protocols to protect the residents of the isle, all leading with heart above economic well being.

Few know the beauty of the Hawaiian islands as they are today. It has been decades since we have seen the islands without the tourist and many part time resident populations. Now is the ideal time to prepare for the unknowns of tomorrow while harvesting the gifts of these unprecedented times. Including island icons in their pristine states is an opportunity of the present and one worth investing in for the future.