David Boynton
Encyclopedia
David Boynton was a leading expert on the natural history of the Hawaiian island of Kauai
, especially on the Koke'e Forest and the Alakai Swamp and its wildlife. He was called "a voice for the Hawaiian wilderness," a "Guardian of the Koke'e Forest," and as an educator, "the window through which thousands of Hawai'i students learned about Hawaiian birds, plants, marine creatures, climate and much more." Boynton photographed a bird now believed extinct, the Ōōāā (Moho braccatus). He recorded the mating call of the single male, whose mate presumably did not survive Hurricane Iwa
at the end of 1982. The bird, probably the last of its species, was tending an empty nest.
Boynton used this poignant recording and story to inspire Hawaiian school children in the traditional Hawaiian values of kuleana, malama, kokua, laulima, ho‘ihi, lokahi, and pono, which translate roughly as rights and responsibilities to the land, the appropriateness of serving nature, helping others, cooperation, respect, peace and unity, and duty to do what is right.
, graduated from the Punahou School
in Honolulu in 1963, where his alumni profile says he "would rather have been in the ocean than in the classroom." Boynton graduated from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1967 and returned to live in Hawaii.
He was appointed the environmental resource teacher for Kaua`i School District after 18 years as a teacher at Waimea High School. In 1992, David was honored by the Koke‘e Natural History Museum with the “One Person Can Make a Difference” award. Boynton was instrumental in the creation, by the state Department of Education, of the Koke‘e Discovery Center in 1994, a "groundbreaking" overnight outdoor education facility and student-teacher resource center for fourth and fifth graders in Koke'e State Park
, where he served as Director. Boynton claimed that Koke'e and surrounding wilderness areas contained many endangered species, over 400 different native plants, and the greatest concentration of ‘single-island endemics’ anywhere, making it the ideal place to teach about biodiversity, sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The David S. Boynton Educational Grant was established in his memory. Grants, for projects supporting the values Boynton taught, up to a maximum of $1,500 each are awarded to educators or students. The first grant was awarded in 2009.
In addition, his photographs have been reproduced in countless magazines, newspapers, and posters. Boynton assisted in the production of the Emmy award-winning 1991 National Geographic Special documentary film, “Hawaii: Strangers in Paradise.”
coast, by all evidence the victim of an accident on the difficult trail. It was reported that Boynton had been alone en route to photograph sea turtles on Miloli'i Beach. He was familiar with this rugged trail and terrain. He told a journalist in 2006, "There is a fern that grows in thick mats along these ridges, and I know from personal experience that you can try to push your way through this green layer and wind up stepping off into air."
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
, especially on the Koke'e Forest and the Alakai Swamp and its wildlife. He was called "a voice for the Hawaiian wilderness," a "Guardian of the Koke'e Forest," and as an educator, "the window through which thousands of Hawai'i students learned about Hawaiian birds, plants, marine creatures, climate and much more." Boynton photographed a bird now believed extinct, the Ōōāā (Moho braccatus). He recorded the mating call of the single male, whose mate presumably did not survive Hurricane Iwa
Hurricane Iwa
Hurricane Iwa, taken from the Hawaiian language name for the frigatebird , was at the time the costliest hurricane to affect the state of Hawaii. Iwa was the twenty-third tropical storm and the twelfth and final hurricane of the 1982 Pacific hurricane season. It developed from an active trough of...
at the end of 1982. The bird, probably the last of its species, was tending an empty nest.
Boynton used this poignant recording and story to inspire Hawaiian school children in the traditional Hawaiian values of kuleana, malama, kokua, laulima, ho‘ihi, lokahi, and pono, which translate roughly as rights and responsibilities to the land, the appropriateness of serving nature, helping others, cooperation, respect, peace and unity, and duty to do what is right.
Naturalist and teacher
David Spalding Boynton, born and raised in OahuOahu
Oahu or Oahu , known as "The Gathering Place", is the third largest of the Hawaiian Islands and most populous of the islands in the U.S. state of Hawaii. The state capital Honolulu is located on the southeast coast...
, graduated from the Punahou School
Punahou School
Punahou School, once known as Oahu College, is a private, co-educational, college preparatory school located in Honolulu CDP, City and County of Honolulu in the U.S. State of Hawaii...
in Honolulu in 1963, where his alumni profile says he "would rather have been in the ocean than in the classroom." Boynton graduated from the University of California-Santa Barbara in 1967 and returned to live in Hawaii.
He was appointed the environmental resource teacher for Kaua`i School District after 18 years as a teacher at Waimea High School. In 1992, David was honored by the Koke‘e Natural History Museum with the “One Person Can Make a Difference” award. Boynton was instrumental in the creation, by the state Department of Education, of the Koke‘e Discovery Center in 1994, a "groundbreaking" overnight outdoor education facility and student-teacher resource center for fourth and fifth graders in Koke'e State Park
Koke'e State Park
Kōkee State Park is located in northwestern Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands. It includes a museum at the marker on State Road 550, which focuses on the weather, vegetation, and bird life; a lodge which serves food and sells gifts; cabins for rent; and hiking trails...
, where he served as Director. Boynton claimed that Koke'e and surrounding wilderness areas contained many endangered species, over 400 different native plants, and the greatest concentration of ‘single-island endemics’ anywhere, making it the ideal place to teach about biodiversity, sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The David S. Boynton Educational Grant was established in his memory. Grants, for projects supporting the values Boynton taught, up to a maximum of $1,500 each are awarded to educators or students. The first grant was awarded in 2009.
Photography
Boynton was a much-published author or co-author of photographic essays of Hawaii. Among his books are:- Na Pali: Images of Kauai's Northwest Shore (2007)
- Kauai (2006)
- Flowers-Images from Hawaii's Gardens (with his wife, Sue Boynton) (2006)
- Kilauea Point and Kauai's National Wildlife Refuges (2004)
- Kauai, the Garden Island: A Pictorial History of the Commerce and Work of the People (with Chris Cook) (1999)
- The Kaua'i Movie Book (with Chris Cook) (1996)
- Kaua‘i Days (2005)
- Discover Hawaii’s Forests (2000)
- Capturing Hawaii: Kauai (1998)
- Hawaii Humpback Vol. 1 (1980)
- Kaua`i: Ancient Place Names and Their Stories (1998) (with Frederick Wichman)
- By Wind, By Waves (with David L. Eyre) (2000)
In addition, his photographs have been reproduced in countless magazines, newspapers, and posters. Boynton assisted in the production of the Emmy award-winning 1991 National Geographic Special documentary film, “Hawaii: Strangers in Paradise.”
Death in 2007
Boynton's body was found in February, 2007 at the foot of a 300 foot cliff on the north face of the remote Miloli'i Valley of the Na PaliNa Pali Coast State Park
Nā Pali Coast State Park encompasses of land and is located in the center of the rugged along the northwest side of Kauai, the oldest inhabited Hawaiian island. The Nā Pali coast itself extends southwest starting at Kee Beach extending all the way to Polihale State Park. The pali rise as high as...
coast, by all evidence the victim of an accident on the difficult trail. It was reported that Boynton had been alone en route to photograph sea turtles on Miloli'i Beach. He was familiar with this rugged trail and terrain. He told a journalist in 2006, "There is a fern that grows in thick mats along these ridges, and I know from personal experience that you can try to push your way through this green layer and wind up stepping off into air."