My name is MICHAEL THOMAS GARRISON, the owner of Islander Virtual Assistant, a virtual consulting firm specializing in online content development; website, and social media support; documentation, writing, editorial, and proofreading services & support; and other IT services. For more than 35 years, I have been a Technical Writer, Copy Editor, Web Content Developer, Documentation Specialist, and Information Technology Subject Matter Expert.

I grew up in California during the '50s and '60s. I attended the University of California at Berkeley and California State University East Bay where I earned baccalaureate degrees in English and Geology, and state teaching credentials.

I lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for several years, and have traveled throughout North and East Africa, the Middle East, Europe, West Asia, and the islands of the Caribbean.

I'm a certified SCUBA diver; got wet in the Red Sea, the Caribbean, the East Pacific, and (now) the Central Pacific.

I have ridden motorcycles since I was in High School; I once rode a bike from California to Alaska via the Alcan Highway... BEFORE it was paved!

In 2005, I fell in love with Hawaii and bought a home in the town of Kihei on the island of Maui where I now live.

My interests include running a small business, digital photography, whale watching, blogging about the natural history of the Hawaiian Islands, SCUBA diving and snorkeling, and travel to the other islands in the Pacific.