Hawaiian Historical Art

My new year's resolution (ordinarily I don't make resolutions) is to be more proactive about posting to my blog. I have been so bad about doing so over the past few months and can't even remember when I last posted on Hawai'i.

I've decided this time to share with you, a world-renown Hawaiian artist, Herb Kane. I don't know how many of you know his work, but he does wonderful work depicting Hawai'i and her history. Below is one of his magnificent pieces, the building of Pu'ukohola. This heiau is located on the Big Island of Hawai'i. I have visited it and it is quite something to behold IRL. I am so amazed at Mr. Kane's rendering of the rocks. Very tedious, but so well done.



Kamehameha built a great luakini heiau (state temple) to Ku-ka-ili-moku, patron god of war and politics. Thousands of men passed rocks hand-to-hand over great distances. Stone workers fitted the rocks without mortar. Kamehameha led the work, raising platforms and walls, and is seen here beside the feathered standard of his rank, taking a stone to pass along. News of the temple-building, received with dismay by the chiefs of other islands, may have caused them to rush to attack without adequate preparations before he could complete the work and attract power from the god. (Excerpt taken from Herb Kane's website.)

Greetings

Everywhere I look, read, and hear it's Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings...but never about what is truly being celebrated. Despite the opinion of what the polls show is the minority, the ACLU and those who choose to believe in NO HOPE...I choose to celebrate the miraculous birth of the Christ, my Lord and Savior, the mighty JESUS CHRIST.



MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Newly Completed Works

I've just completed these portraits of two very dear friends and their husbands. These were done for them because of their generosity. It was supposed to be a surprise, but quickly realized that I could not proceed without their input. In the first portrait, her husband passed away a few years ago, so it was very important to me that I catch his likeness and essence. I just hope and pray they love it...just wish I could've gotten better photos.





Mahalo nui loa (thank you very much) Barbara and Sandra for your generosity and loving friendship.

P.S. Forgot to mention that they are sisters. Their relationship makes me wish I was closer, geographically, to my sisters.

Love Beyond Measure

A little over a week ago I received a request from a member of my Macomber Ohana (family). Her name is Shaula her request was if I could assist her with artwork for a brochure she was putting together. Below is Shaula’s explanation of her vision.

The name of the facility is Life Care Center of Kona, it is a short/long term nursing facility. My grandmother, Rose Alapai was the first patient on their "Butterflies Are Free" program at this specific facility. The aim of the center is to provide tranquility and hope for those leaving this world. In honor of my grandmother I wrote a proposal, to the Life care center of Kona if they would call their palliative care, "Pulelehua, Butterflies are Free.” My grandmother passed away on Oct. 22, 2009 and since her passing, the children of Holualoa Elementary School, where she attended school and myself (home school liaison at this school) have made over 200 Pulelehua (butterfly) magnets. The magnets are placed on doors of patients going through this palliative care program. It has been a very successful partnership with the school. I am now in conversation with the center and we are planning the making of a brochure to share with families. It's very humbling to know we've impacted the lives of so many by softening the approaching deaths of their loved ones. I feel so honored to be such a vital part of such a wonderful ministry that we are called to do, to honor our kupuna (grandparent, ancestor).

In conversation with Shaula and getting her vision of what the painting should depict, I was able to create “Love Beyond Measure.”



This is how our conversation through Facebook messaging kinda went.

I'm really glad you think that the primary rose can be white because in thinking The Holy Trinity I could not get past the thought that the primary rose, God the Father, at the head should be white. The other thought I had was to have the pulelehua on the secondary rose which depicts God the Son, Jesus Christ. To me the pulelehua should be on Christ because, your "freedom" from sin came from the Father through the Son. Lastly, the bottom rose represents the Holy Spirit. Another thought was to lay 2-3 rose buds at the base of the vase to represent fallen mankind.

While in the process, I was strongly impressed upon to have a tear falling from the white rose (The Father) to the first pink rose (The Son)…which is self explanatory. The Koa Wood vase and the wall of “weathered” lauhala represents the Hawaiian people and their culture. The Palapalai fern on the right represents the interweaving of the ohana with the roses, giving greater significance for the ohana.

My own grandmother Mary Kahula’okalei’opu’u Rose came to mind while painting this and as I write, my mother Pauline Kaohunani comes to mind as well. I miss them so much that for me, “Love Beyond Measure” has also become my tribute to both of them.

Omigoodness - It's Been Awhile

These two commissioned paintings is why I haven't posted for a while. My granddaughter is the little ballerina and her cousin. The pose of my granddaughter has been so endearing to family members that her uncle asked that I do one for him. He was very specific about the background color.

Now it is on to other things. Thanks so much for visiting.

The Prodigal - Completed

I've signed all three paintings...YAY!!! Just have to frame them...which I will have to build myself or maybe get my son to do it, then it will be ready for the show. I didn't think I would be able to do it as I envisioned, but I am pleased with the finished product. I wish I could've gotten a better photo.

Progress on The Prodigal II

My last progress posting was on June 22nd, so I think I am overdue for another post. I've been working every available moment on this piece and I'm seeing substantial progress...I feel good about that. I do; however, have a long list of what has to be done and then some.



If you have any comments, don't hesitate to voice them. I can always use constructive criticism.

Thanks so much for coming by.

Lokelani