White light from the sun is made up of a variety of colors.

When this light hits the oceans surface, the colors are scattered then re-transmitted.

The red, orange, yellow, and green wavelengths of light are absorbed and what remains are the shorter wavelengths of blues and violets that we associate with the tropics.

Utilizing transparent and opaque color chemistry we are able to recreate some of the magic of the Polynesian islands.

While researching the environmental factors that produce these colors, I was introduced to Polynesian maritime culture.

For centuries Polynesian mariners sailed outriggers on the open ocean for hundreds of miles using stars, waves, birds, fish, clouds and even the taste of the ocean to navigate between islands.

These factors that identified their position on the ocean were memorized as chants, songs and dances.

Navigators with these skills enjoyed a higher rank than even tribal chiefs because the population was so dependent on sea faring and fishing to survive.