Blaise Domino came to Hawaii as a military dependent in 1960. He first came to prominence while a fine art student at the University of Hawaii by winning the Grand Prize at the first All Armed Forces Art Show in 1962 with an untitled Abstract Expressionist oil painting. He also studied at Louisiana State University, San Jose State and the Sorbonne, University of Paris.

After extensive study and travel in Europe and North Africa, he returned to Hawaii to pursue more commercial art, developing an aerial view style of Picture/Map for Delta Air Lines, Western Airlines, Mid Pacific Air, Kahala Hilton, Sheraton Hotels, Gray Line Hawaii, Burger King, State of Hawaii and others.

SANDWICH ISLE is the first in a series of historical maps of Hawaii focusing on the time of rediscovery by Captain James Cook. Because of his sensitivity to the Hawaiian people and culture, great care is taken in researching each island. Emphasis is placed not only on cultural and historical events and personalities, but also on ecological change.

Each map takes at least a year to complete and would take longer if it were not for the State of Hawaii Library, University of Hawaii Hamilton Library, Bishop Museum, Hawai’i Natural

History Assoc., their archives and key advisers.