The Art of Kauai
August 18th, 2007 by Michael
Celebration of Art on the Garden Island of Kauai
Written by
Michael L. Huffman and Thora Kanthanapar
Since the beginning of time, all of humankind has expressed their inherent creativity in both their work and their leisure. From rock art and cave paintings, to architecture no matter how simplistic, to body art and hair designs, from clothing and jewelry to masterpieces such as the works of Michelangelo.
The early inhabitants of Kauai certainly were no different. From the descendents of Menehune, the son of Lua-nu’u who expressed their ingenuity and creativity throughout the Garden Island of Kauai with their hand-built walls, petroglyphs, numerous terraces, temples, stone implements and images. These, the first inhabitants of the island, were real, live people of Polynesian stock who deserve the glory and honor of being the first to cross the vast expanse of ocean to Hawaii. They were the first artists, architects, master-builders and sculptors to leave their creative marks on the islands, especially on Kauai, Nihoa and Necker islands. The Menehune were not restricted to the physical arts, they enjoyed and developed dancing, singing and archery as well. The Menehune’s impact on the islands have made them the source of many legends… were they mischievous gnomes, magical mysterious beings, hard working elves, or perhaps slaves of the newly arrived Tahitians? Their influence lives on in the hearts and minds of many.
The second voyages and settlements from Tahiti, which were led by the great gods and chiefs who became the royalty of Hawaii, brought with them their natural creativity as well. Over generations, they adapted their beliefs and ways of living to accommodate their new island home. As a distinct culture took shape, it grew and evolved in response to Kauai’s steep valleys and the Hawaiian Islands’ ever changing volcanic lands.
Differences between Kauai and the larger Polynesian family grew more distinct once the era of transpacific migrations ended. In many artistic endeavors – kapa making, feather work and hula – the people of Kauai surpassed the rest of their cousins in skill and proficiency. A highly structured and sophisticated culture blossomed in the Island’s gentle climate and lush abundance. Over time, Kauai’s society grew as distinct as their endemic plant and animal communities, left for eons in isolation.
The beautiful art of lei making, which has become a symbol of all that is Aloha and Hawaii is attributed to these people. The wreaths of flowers and foliage worn by both men and women add fragrance and beauty to island life and are a wonderful example of an early Hawaiian art that has lasted for centuries. Lei are much more than flowers sewn upon a strand. There are lei of seeds, shells, feathers, and words. A special song (Mele) composed for a loved one can be a lei. All lei’s are an expression of Aloha, and are given to show and express love, joy, sympathy and as greetings and farewells. Poetically, a child is called a lei, for the child is weaving together the love of their parents and ancestors. It was in 1923 that the Hawaii Territorial Legislature approved Na Lei O Hawaii and officially selected a lei to represent each island. Mokihana is the lei of Kauai, which is a slender tree that grows in the upland forests of Kokee and no where else in the world. Although it is a member of the orange family, its fragrance is not citrus. Often described as spicy and somewhat like anise, the lei is made from several strands of seed pods and is often entwined with the leafy vine maile, that has a vanilla, woodsy scent. Unlike the flower leis, the fragrance of the mokihana lei lingers for some time after the wearer has passed by.
Hula, is a wonderful form of expressive art in dance is best described by what the “Merrie Monarch,” King David Kalakaua said. “Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people.” The Hula has many forms and styles utilized to express and convey many, many things.
Just as King Kalakaua was influential in bringing back the Hula after the period of the missionaries had driven it underground, so were the rest of Hawaii’s monarchy who provided and supported a time of explosive artistic growth, achievement, change, as well as high romance, a renaissance of its own for the people of the islands of Hawaii.
The body art of Hawaii has been applied under strict ritualistic ceremony, and often the designs chosen had hidden meaning and power. The word “tattoo” itself is one of only a few words that have a Polynesian origin (from the word tatau) coming from Tahiti, Tonga and Samoa. Early visitors to the islands found that both men and women wore tattoos in old Hawai’i for a number of reasons. Sometimes the tattoos were purely decorative. Using repeated geometrical shapes in their applications that are similar to the patterns on kapa made the art most distinctive. Tattooing was unknown in the western World prior to Captain Cook’s first voyage through Polynesia. Today, with a resurgence of Hawaiian pride, tattoos are becoming increasingly common. This is one of the few ancient arts forms that are truly Polynesian that has spread throughout the world!
Stone and wood carving have also been part of the ancient Hawaiian art forms. Using Stone Age Technology and all the ingenuity of modern man, Polynesians created a lasting style. From the giant heads of Easter Island, Maori pendants and the ancient Hawaiian poles that marked sacred areas all sprouted from a common seed. Large temple images were carved of wood and similar to others found throughout Polynesia were often figures standing with flexed knees, arms and hands with mouths open in a teeth-bared expression. Feather god images, found only in Hawaii, were also made. Their intricate feather work attached to a basketry framework. Other smaller images, often of stone, adorned smaller local or family shrines such as ko’a (fishing shrines.)
Tiki’s speak of an enchanted ancient time through a wooden or stony disposition, a dark and distant past that is hard for humankind to look at, and even harder to look away from. Tiki statues, poles, masks, and the whole genre of “Tiki Culture” are a fascinating look into human creativity, emotions and origins. American’s have become fascinated with a romanticized version of Polynesia which began after World War II and permeated the culture effecting home décor, music, clothing and architecture. Polynesian music was fused with jazz, Asian music, African rhythms, and Latin creating hybrid sounds. The musical South Pacific was preformed in theatres throughout the era of “High Tiki,” and is still preformed to this day. Although by the early 70’s, Tiki culture appeared to be dying out…yet the gods had other ideas! Since the late 80’s the culture has begun resurgence. It is indeed a way for modern humankind to escape, forget their worries and harkens back to our inner tribal roots. It is the inspiration and development of modern Hawaiian art and artists. Perhaps it is the romanticizing of the islands.
Kauai, the Garden Island of the Hawaiian chain, has been inspirational for artists of many different genres. Today, many of the artists here excel in their chosen media and enjoy the essences of the Aloha Spirit that is unique to Kaua’i. Supported by the local government and individuals there are museums and fine art galleries located throughout the island creating the vibrant artists community. This community is as diverse as the topography of the island and is as vibrant as the colors of greens on the north shore and the reds of the west side. The different styles of art on the island represent every color of the rainbow and are as beautiful and ethereal as the waves crashing along our shores. Visitors and collectors are proud to have a piece of paradise displayed in their home or gallery as a memento of their visit to the beauty, splendor and the spirit of Aloha that they experienced on the island. Throughout the world there are paintings, sculptures and photographs by local and visiting artists…a testimonial to the emotionally rousing effects of this delightful tropical island.
One of the island’s premier colorists is Mercedes Maza. Her master works encapsulate the poetic and the aesthetic with the vividness and subtlety of color and movement. Mercedes Maza is recognized as one of the foremost watercolorists in the Hawaiian Islands. A native of Colombia, Mercedes remembers her initial fascination with painting at the age of five. She further explored her interests at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, where she engaged her pursuit as an artist in a variety of different mediums. In 1975 Mercedes met her mentor, Waihang Lai, a member of the American Watercolor Society (AWS) at the Kauai Community College. While under his teaching, she discovered how to portray the inner mood and emotion of a subject. Her mentor called this style of painting the expression of chi, which she now brings to life in her watercolors. She opened her first gallery on Kaua’i in 1982, sharing a building with James Hoyle and A.J. Metzger in Hanapepe. In 1992, she opened Art and Soul in Old Koloa Town where she remained until she moved to the north shore in 2000 when she opened in the Ching Young Village. Mercedes remained there until last year when she moved her gallery to the Hanalei Town Center.
In 1997 Mercedes traveled throughout Europe to immerse herself in the classical style of European art where she became drawn to the sensuality of the human figure and the vitality of architecture and gardens. Upon returning to the Island of Kaua’i she rediscovered the essence and the mood here to create her striking watercolors of landscapes, seascapes, floras and figures that sustain the integrity of the island and bring feelings of light and harmony. Mercedes has the ability and the passion to move viewers and collectors to identify the inner spirit. recognized in Hawaii as one of its foremost watercolorists. Her work hangs in collections nationwide to include patrons such as Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Lionel Richie, Buffy Saint Marie and Taj Mahal.
Her gallery, appropriately named Art and Soul, is located just past the “Wishing Well” Shaved Ice Truck heading north into Hanalei town at Hanalei Town Center. We encourage you to drop by and experience her work which fuses the vibrancy of the island colors with the classical European Style and Asian brushwork. Mercedes Maza.
One can view the works of Mercedes Maza at the Princeville Hotel where she displays her work every Monday and every other Friday evening from 6PM to 10 PM.
Art and Soul Gallery also showcases a different artist on the third Saturday of each month along with a reception beginning at 4 PM. The following artists are being showcased: In August, Damian Miles of Renaissance Baby and Island Baby is exhibiting a 20 year retrospective. In September, Isaiah Halpin will be sharing his unique photography. In October, Ric Madden will be showcasing his beautiful watercolors. In November, Mercedes will be exhibiting a new series of her works and in December there will be a group showing.
Please contact the gallery toll free at: 877.SoulArt (877.768.5278) or on the web at http://www.maza-art.com/
You will find the Ship Store Galleries in Kapa’a, at the Coconut Marketplace– the island’s largest and oldest fine art gallery – they invite you to explore the most expansive collection of marine art in the Hawaiian Islands during its upcoming exhibition season – now through December, 2007. The featured artist is Raymond A. Massey, known for his meticulous recreations of significant marine historical events. Massey’s art hangs in some of the most prestigious museum and corporate collections in America and his intricately beautiful works of art are only available at Ship Store Galleries – the exclusive worldwide showcase for this history-making painter – a “fellow” in the American Society of Marine Artists.
Ship Store also showcases the whimsically adorable art of Rosalie Rupp Prussing. The 83 year old grandmother is Hawaii’s most colorful and best known folk artist. Her prints are visually appealing, quite affordable and somewhat habit forming.
The gallery is also exhibiting bronze sculptures by Dale Evers and Joseph Quillan. Other exhibits featured in the gallery include: Janice Darr Cua, Hisashi Otsuka, Caroline Young, Steven Power, Lance Fairly, Michael Protiva, Dee Kirby N. Jonas Englund and introducing the intriguingly beautiful watercolors of Kauai’s Ric Madden.
The gallery also boasts the finest collection of marine antiques in Hawaii along with many other exceptional antique items from the Pacific region. The collection is so extensive a collection that even museums have been known to shop at Ship Store. Ship Store Galleries is located in the Coconut Marketplace in Kapa’a – open seven days a week – for more information – call 822-4999. Online at www.shipstoregalleries.com or email – shipstore@aol.com.
On the south shore in Poipu is Po’ipu Fine Arts.
Aloha E komo mai! Po’ipu Fine Arts welcomes all lovers of art — from the casual collector to the avid art connoisseur. Providing; Originals, Editions, Commissions and Commercial Residential Projects. They are proud to showcase the best contemporary artists in Hawaii:
The original paintings and limited edition giclee on canvas by Walfrido, Noelito,
Kim McDonald, Brigitte D’Annibale, John Pitre, Grant Pecoff, exquisite woodcraft by Ki of Kaua’i, sculptures in cast bronze by Scott Hanson, and Victor Issa; The art of knife making by William Henry, and the collection by the most influential Marine Life Artist of our time, Wyland.
Their welcoming and knowledgeable staff would be pleased to assist you in your selection, and provide the expertise they have gained from their years of professional experience in the arts. Poipu Fine Arts offers guidance through the entire art selection process, from the initial consultation to the final purchase. Poipu Shopping Village – 2360 Kiahuna Plantation Drive, Koloa HI 96756
Phone # 808-742-8338 – Fax # 808-742-8358 – Toll Free # 1-800-992-5106
e-mail: info@poipufinearts.com
website: www.poipufinearts.com
Hawaiian Scene’s Treasure Hut is found at the Aloha Center Marketplace in Nawiliwili by the harbor, is special place presenting some of Kauai’s best local artists in oil and water color. These are stand alone pieces of our island’s scenic beauty, the local people and culture. Featuring Ric Madden’s water colors accented with a fresh Eastern Flair touching and expressing the island’s aloha spirit. Exhibiting the largest collection of locally turned wood bowls, endless boxes and collectibles of Koa wood treasures. Definitely stop by and visit Hawaiian Scene’s Treasure Hut at the Aloha Center Marketplace to enjoy one of the largest selections of local art and Koa wood keepsakes found on Kauai. 3371 Wilcox Road, Nawiliwili, Lihue, HI., 96766 808.245.6996. E mail hawaiianscene@msn.com.
Ed: As Aloha Condos, we offer Napili Shores condos for weekly rental… Please do check us out further, and thanks for coming by!