Brandon Tengan was raised in Kāneʻohe, Hawaiʻi; his love and passion for the ocean first began with surfing. However, when the surf got flat, he slowly took up diving and fishing and once he started...he got hooked. Brandon considers himself blessed and fortunate to have been taught by many skilled fisherman and dive partners, continuing to learn each time he heads out. Initially taught gyotaku by a family friend, what started as a small backyard hobby is now a fun business endeavor. The Japanese Art of Gyotaku…most simply translated as “gyo”—fish, and “taku”—rubbing or impression; a technique developed to accurately record a fisherman’s prized catch, prior to eating it. Fish are caught, painted with a non-toxic ink, and imprinted on shoji (rice) paper. When peeled back, the paper is left with an impression yielding the exact size, shape and ultimately – the fisherman’s story. The prints are then painted, remembered and shared. Most importantly, the fish is then washed clean and prepared as a meal.