Tim Wright
Bio
Tim Wright is a fourth-generation resident of Hawai'i Island and a freelance photographer. His images have appeared in various publications, from National Geographic to The National Enquirer.
Stories (3)
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Ballistic Missile
Lisa and her fiancé, Kimball, had just moved to Hawaii after spending two years in Japan. Kimball had worked as an AP photographer, traveling from Tokyo to Osaka, covering political events, natural disasters, and sports championships. Lisa, meanwhile, had built her career at a business law firm, handling contracts for international clients. Their time in Japan had been fast-paced, exciting, and full of adventure, but Hawaii felt like a well-earned transition into something more stable. Lisa had taken a promotion to run the Honolulu branch of her company, and Kimball planned to freelance for local newspapers. The move came at the perfect time—they were set to marry in six weeks, and life was good.
By Tim Wright12 months ago in The Swamp
Aloha Michael Jackson
Unless you've been living under a rock—or perhaps in an abandoned missile silo—you are likely aware that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, passed away at the age of 50 in 2009. What you might not know is that I, as a young and inexperienced photojournalist, inadvertently played a role in prematurely "reporting" his death more than a decade before his shocking passing. It was 1997, and I worked as a tabloid photographer, chasing celebrity stories in my home state of Hawaii. That day was significant—Michael Jackson was flying into Honolulu for the final leg of his HIStory tour. The airport buzzed with energy: security was tight, the weather was perfect, and fans were pressed behind fences, their excitement palpable. Adding to the spectacle, a group of Michael Jackson impersonators mingled with fans holding signs while parents tried to keep their children from wandering off. Reporters, photographers, and even hula dancers filled my section. As I checked my gear, I realized I had brought the wrong zoom lens—a rookie mistake—and that I would need to get closer to capture anything worthwhile. Then I overheard a group of young hula dancers discussing their plans to exit the media area and perform on the tarmac when the jet parked safely near the private hangar. Sensing an opportunity, I approached two teachers and spun a story about needing to document their performance for the newspaper. Whether it was my charm or pure luck, they eagerly agreed to let me join them and placed me in the front row where the group teacher had staged the experienced older dancers. Soon, we were on the tarmac, standing near the private jet with "Kingdom Entertainment" emblazoned on its fuselage. The jet's door opened to reveal a tall Middle Eastern man in a tailored suit, accompanied by a TV cameraman. Moments later, Michael Jackson emerged, greeted by thunderous cheers from the crowd. The scene was surreal: greeters adorned Jackson with Hawaiian leis, hula dancers performed a traditional welcome, and I snapped photos from every angle I could. I edged closer, but a bodyguard quickly intercepted me, motioning for me to step back. I complied but managed to grab a few wider shots from behind the dancers. A line of sleek black SUVs pulled up near the side of the plane, ready to whisk Jackson away. Anticipating his next move, I positioned myself near the vehicles. I captured a perfect head-to-toe shot of him walking, adorned with flower leis, just before he entered the black SUV for his departure to his Waikiki hotel. The whole scene felt like something out of a movie, complete with the flawless timing of every participant. One older woman in the crowd remarked that it was even grander than when she had seen Elvis land in Honolulu for his 1973 concert. I pitched the images by calling a few tabloid photo editors; one was particularly interested. He pushed for a juicy story to accompany the shots. In an offhand comment, I jokingly mentioned a wild rumor I had heard: Jackson supposedly signed autographs with "1998" because he believed he wouldn't live past 40. "Hopefully, he doesn't die here in Hawaii," I quipped. Months later, to my astonishment, I spotted my photo splashed across a tabloid under the sensational headline: "Jacko Dead at 40!" The editor had taken my casual remark and ran with it, crafting a story that implied Jackson's untimely demise was imminent. Looking back, it was a surreal and humbling experience. It showed how a seemingly innocuous comment could spiral into a headline, reminding me of the weight and responsibility of words in the world of tabloid journalism. Unintentionally, I had fueled a bizarre rumor that would linger long after Michael Jackson's visit to Hawaii.
By Tim Wrightabout a year ago in Photography
Capturing the Hawaii Shaka
On Friday, June 21, 2024, Hawaii's Governor, Josh Green, signed Senate Bill 3312, also known as The Shaka Bill, to adopt the Shaka as Hawaii's official state "hand gesture." It's the first-ever official gesture adopted by any state in America. Having spent over three decades as a part-time freelance news and sports photographer in Hawaii, I've captured countless moments and collected numerous images of people flashing the shaka sign. Whenever I covered a notable person visiting Hawaii, I would ask them to pose with a shaka for my collection. Requesting a shaka photo required a delicate balance of timing and rapport-building to avoid disrupting the event flow or the subject's concentration. Over the years, I loosely refined this skill and captured some memorable shaka moments and a few shaka fails.
By Tim Wrightabout a year ago in Photography
