More on Herb Kane's Pu'ukohola

Continuing with the art of Herb Kane. I previously posted on the painting of the Heiau Pu'ukohola here.

This depicts a ceremony happening at the Pu'ukohola heiau.



Keoua, paramount chief of the southern provinces of Hawai’i Island, disheartened by the loss of a third of his army in a volcanic explosion, accepted Kamehameha’s invitation to talk peace. But as his canoe fleet arrived below Pu‘ukohola Heiau, tempers flared; someone threw a spear and in the ensuing fight Keoua and the others in his canoe were killed. Their remains were taken to the heiau as offerings to the god of war, Kukailimoku.

This may not be of interest to all; however, to artists...you can appreciate the artwork and time and tediousness of doing a piece such as this. For those who enjoy tales of old Hawaii...interesting.



"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16 KJV)

My Son's Work

Today I was compelled, I don't know why but I'm following my heart, to post a couple of the works of my oldest son, Kalani, who went to be with THE FATHER some 20+ years ago. He was two days short of being 26 when he left this earth. Maybe I just want you to know that he lived and was loved. He was truly a talented young man who I am sure would have been a first-class visual artist, or for that matter, anything he aspired to be.

This is titled Oya-Shi-Shi. It is a Japanese Kabuki dancer. Multimedia on cardboard from the side of a box.

This was done in graphite and ink.

Kalani, you are missed so very much.




"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." (Matt.5:16 KJV)

It's About the Hands

Finally; signed, sealed, but not yet delivered. Christmas present for my son. It is his image when he was out there, somewhere "on the road." I started this back in November, but due to semi-major, life-interrupting medical situations I was unable to finish it on time. Finally, mid-January, I can say..."it's done." I did present it to him unfinished at Christmas and I think he was really pleasantly surprised. This one he is willing to hang in his studio. That tells me that he REALLY does like it.

15x30 oil on stretched canvas

This has been sitting on my easel so long that I will miss it, but I am also anxious to move on to other things. For one, I am co-chair for the annual art festival at my church in April, so I imagine from here until the close of that show, it will be very busy.

Thanks for looking in on my blog. A comment is always appreciated.

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.)