"Shaka Diplomacy" is alive and well in our good friend Ken Yashiro. As part of our original founder team, Ken has helped produce our initial collection stories, set up key business relations in Thailand, and continues to contribute content throughout 2020 while in lockdown in Thailand.

Ken and I have been friends for over 20 years and our connection spans a lifetime of learning languages, global travel, surf and fashion. As we came together for our "Longboat Roundup" project in Thailand in 2019, Ken's transition from on-camera talent to behind-the-lens shooter was well under way.

(Ken Yashiro, left and Creative Director / Producer Steven Wilcox, right after a rare session of fun waves in Hua Hin, January 2019.)

It has been a pleasure to see this art take over him. When we first started working together, I noticed how interested he was in the camera itself. At that point I knew it wouldn't be long before he picked one up for himself and started to go.

Quickly racking up quality content on land, under water, in the sky and behind the scenes, Ken has made the transition in 2020 and brought us all some beautiful images to remind of of the big, beautiful world out there that is waiting for us once borders ease and passports replace face masks as our #1 accoutrement.