The Edge of Paradise

In 1975, John began working for the Kauai Historic Society and State Foundation on Culture and Arts photographing a collection of plantation era architecture, scenes and people, part of which was published as THE KAUAI ALBUM. A photo from that collection made this month’s cover of THE SUN magazine.

More recently, he’s produced two award winning and highly acclaimed combined book/movie projects: “Bhutan” and “Taylor Camp.” “Bhutan” won two Emmy® Awards for Best History/Culture and Best Music.

Gavan Daws, Hawaii’s best selling author of “Shoal of Time,” wrote this about the Taylor Camp book: "Taylor Camp is best piece of sociocultural writing I have read about modern Hawaii."

Paul Theroux, America’s leading travel writer had this to say about the film: "Impressive! A real time capsule of an era and a place - humane and atmospheric - and news to most people. I love the Before and After faces and bodies, and the theme of violated Eden, or After the Fall..."

In the 70’s, John worked for National Geographic and Time Life Books. More recently his work has been published by Smithsonian, Honolulu Magazine, Huffington Post, London Daily Mail, Slate, Buzz Feed, Trip, The Sun, and featured in this month’s The Surfer’s Journal. Additional print articles and blogs featuring John’s work have been published in Japan, Thailand, Germany, Brazil, and have had hundreds of thousands of social media shares. Both of his recent books are in second printing, and Der Spiegel TV is dubbing the HiDef remaster of “Taylor Camp” into German. “Bhutan” is still airing with an 8-year contract on PBS.

In addition to writing, photography and filmmaking, John also works in ag engineering and hydropower development. In the late 70’s and early 80’s, he pioneered and managed Kauai’s largest banana and papaya farms on former sugar lands. Through his company Pacific Hydro, John has worked on plantation ditch tunnel systems on every major island.

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