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Suzanne Koan made a name for herself on the local business scene -- and a tidy living as well -- when she opened the Splash swimwear store at Ala Moana Center in the 1980s. Koan fell into the business after moving here from Los Angeles in 1972 to attend graduate school at the University of Hawaii. Though the degree never panned out, her store earned her success on many levels.

"There was lots of monetary reward, lots of public recognition, lots of strokes," she said.

But in 1984, Koan sold the store and in 1992 moved to the Big Island, ready to explore a new lifestyle. And she found that in the "artsy area" of Holualoa in Kailua-Kona. The art major with a degree from UCLA began working on art once again, via photography.

"I was on an inner journey that dominated everything I did, and these photographs represent that journey," says Koan. "I wanted to know who I am, and looking around at my environment was like looking at myself.

"The Big Island is good for that -- the energy here is supportive of that."

Koan says the images she selected for this page were ones that were previously displayed in art shows on the Big Island. Many of them were part of the Hawaii Photo Expo, a juried show that runs each June.

"I wish there were some way to get that exhibit out to Honolulu, because it's a very good show," she says.

Maybe Koan's exposure here will inspire interest for that to happen.