Archipelago

Archipelago: Portraits of Life in the World’s Most Remote Island Sanctuary portrays the remarkable ecosystem of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. This book shows us a vast array of interdependent native plants and animals that have evolved in this habitat over millions of years, many existing nowhere else on the planet. Environmental photographers David Liittschwager and Susan Middleton produced more than 300 stunning images to illustrate the spectacular diversity of these ocean and island creatures. The inaccessibility of these islands and the need to protect them means that few people will ever be able to visit them in person, though now, the area’s inhabitants are available for all the world to see through this important body of work.

The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, now known as Papahānaumokuākea, are the most remote on Earth. Extending 1200 miles, these islands and atolls make up the geologically oldest part of the Hawaiian archipelago, and are refuge for vibrant communities of monk seals, sea birds, plants, and invertebrates. Wildlife reigns here, and many of these species are found nowhere else in the world. Susan and David spent two years exploring this tightly restricted expanse of islands and ocean making isolated portraits of sea birds, rare corals, anemones, and other life forms. This masterwork also identifies them by English common name, Hawaiian name, and scientific name, as well as providing biological and environmental information about the organisms, and technical information about the photographs.

This book reveals the richness and value of Papahānaumokuākea through these inspired portraits. If beauty can function as an environmental statement, then Archipelago should go down as one of the most articulate arguments for the protection of endangered species in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.