Client: The Nature Conservancy
Featuring: Nicolai Barca
Producer: Jenny Ersbak
Director: Andrew Agcaoili
Cinematography: Phillip Langford + Andrew Agcaoili
Post Production: Shibby Stylee
Colorist: Delilah Hernandez
Music: Todd Hannigan

Nicolai Barca has spent the last 12 years of his life working in one of Hawaii’s most influential and remote watersheds, the Alaka‘i Wilderness Preserve. The Alaka‘i embraces Kaua‘i’s highest peak and ranks among the world’s wettest locations, receiving around 500 inches of rain annually. Its native flora works tirelessly to capture rainfall to sustain underground aquifers that support the island’s growing population. Nic and The Nature Conservancy field team are the boots on the ground, helping reverse the impacts of introduced animals such as pigs, goats, and deer and invasive weeds that threaten the integrity of the native forest and its ability to capture fresh water. 

Executing a shoot in this remote section of Kaua‘i presents notable challenges. There are a myriad of uncontrollable variables, particularly humidity which can wreak havoc on filming equipment. But what better way to understand fresh water security for the island than to visit the source itself. The protection of forests like the Alaka‘i could equate to millions of gallons of groundwater recharge per day. We hope, in our small way, to help tell the story of this threatened forest and shine a light on those who make it their job to fight for it. 

Link below for more in depth story about this project and how we did it.
https://www.shibbystylee.com/blog/2021/12/8/saving-wai