David Boynton

David Boynton (August 30, 1945 – February 10, 2007) was an American naturalist. He was a leading expert on the natural history of the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi, especially on the Kokeʻe Forest and the Alakaʻi Swamp and its wildlife. He was called "a voice for the Hawaiian wilderness," 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, hoʻihi, lokahi, and pono,

Naturalist and teacher Early life and education David Spalding Boynton, born and raised in Oahu, 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.

Career He was appointed the environmental resource teacher for Kauaʻi School District after 18 years as a teacher at Waimea High School.

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. 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."