There was a free event this past Sunday hosted at OHA's, Na Lama Kukui off of Nimitz Hwy. Formally Gentry Design Center. There still are a few design offices there but some of it has been converted to OHA's Honolulu headquarters. Their reception area is pretty nice showing all monarchs from Kamehameha to Liliuokalani framed on the wall. The BigAss Fan Co. Haiku fans are some big dollar examples of fans there. I'm sure a nearby interior designer made some good money on with that sale. I myself would possibly have recommended a Monte Carlo Minimalist Fan or Minka Aire Artemis but hey, no one asks me!
There is a separate conference hall with some nice traditional Hawaiian decor as well as an indoor breadfruit tree growing in a pot. One day I'll try to visit inside when they're open!
Aaron Kawai'ae'a's Kalo D2 from his Kalo series.
The best part of the day was linking up with the artist/lecturer/historian Brooke Kapukuniahi Parker. The fist painting of his that caught my attention was his depiction of Manono and Kekuaokalani during the Battle of Kuamo'o. There are preservation efforts trying to keep development away from the Kuamo'o burials. Please help if you can!
Brooke is a very thorough guy and when he first committed to practicing painting prominent people from our history. He actually made a check list of the ones he wanted to do in the beginning of this venture.
He has done vigorous research and meditation on his subjects. This is where his historian side kicks in. He has family trees compiled of relationships between royalty from each island. He and I totally hit it off that day and we were fist bumping each other because of the interest and info we both had about certain events and people. I look up to him and I will definitely be contacting him in the future to follow up on topics we left open ended at our first meeting.
Our best synergy moment was he pointed out this wonderful piece. You see, when Kahekili II finally arrived to take Oahu from Kahahana. His fleet landed in Waikiki. Kahahana was based at Nuuanu at the time setting a net of defense in the valley. Meanwhile a small band of eight Oahu warriors made a head on attack on the landing forces of Maui. At first this small group
Pupuka, Maka'ioulu, Puakea, Pinao, Kalaeone, Pahua, Kauhi, Kapuko'a. Were not taken as serious as they should have been by the invaders until they actually made their way into the midst of the rivals army.
'Apuakehau as the site of the battle and at Kawehewehe.
Maui Chief, Kauhi'koako'a, father of Kina'u finally caught Maka'ioulu when they eight were finally overwealmed. Because he was a little fat and then Kauhi attempted to run a dagger through the back of Maka'ioulu's neck. Pupuka, grandfather of Pi'ilani. Threw spear at the bidding of Maka'ioulu and he dodged it just as it approached and it stuck Kauhi'koako'a in the abdomen. But the eight had to flee so they could not sacrifice the first victim of war. Some say this is why the Oahu forces lost the war. The leader pictured in front was said to have been a son of the Oahu chief and actually escaped to Kauai during the war and changed his name. This enabled his lineage and the Oahu bloodline to increase into the future.
This would come full circle one day when a random person at a convention came to stare at this painting . The person knew each of the these warriors names and also shared that he was related to the leader. The most shocking part was that the image chosen was an exact resemblance to this person's grandfather. Brooke told me this kind of thing has happened with his pieces more than once...
Here are the eight. Notice how Brooke painted them with traditional Oahu Lei Niho Palaoa. Not in the more popular hook style whale tooth from the Hawaii and Maui island royalty...
This would come full circle one day when a random person at a convention came to stare at this painting . The person knew each of the these warriors names and also shared that he was related to the leader. The most shocking part was that the image chosen was an exact resemblance to this person's grandfather. Brooke told me this kind of thing has happened with his pieces more than once...
Here are the eight. Notice how Brooke painted them with traditional Oahu Lei Niho Palaoa. Not in the more popular hook style whale tooth from the Hawaii and Maui island royalty...
Na One a La'a January 13, 1737 Kaneohe.
Peleioholani meets Alapa'i
Na'ili brother of Kamaka'imoku mother of Kalaniopu'u and Keoua. Is in the center being the mediator. An agreement to keep the peace is made and if only for a short time, although not unified. There was no war fought in all of the island kingdoms.
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