On September 4, 2004 the Malama Wao Akua 'O Maui Hikina art show opened at Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao.

Over 200 people, including Mayor Arakawa, joined EMWP to bless this artistic celebration of the native flora and fauna of East Maui's Watershed.

2005 Exhibit

Malama Wao Akua 'o Maui Hikina
Juried Art Exhibit 2004

A celebration of Maui's native wildlife

In May 2004, the call went out to the Maui community - take part in an art contest to celebrate the native plants, birds, insects, and fish of East Maui's Watershed! The name of the contest means to protect wao akua (realm of the gods), the upper forested watershed of maui hikina (East Maui).

The community responded. Over 60 people went on special art hikes into Waikamoi Preserve, to experience a native forest first-hand. On August 31st, 65 people entered their artwork in the competition (56 adults, 9 keiki). Jurors George Allan and Phil Sabado selected 52 piecies for the show - 45 from the adult division and 7 in the keiki (middle school or lower) division.

travelling show

The art show was dislpayed at three venues across East Maui. Starting at Viewpoints Gallery in Makawao, September 2-29, the show travelled to Haleakala National Park September 30-November 2 and
closed at the Hana Public Library (808-248-4848) November 4-30.

Pictures from the blessing, clockwise from top left: 1) Viewpoints Gallery; 2) Mayor Arakawa, Kaponu who led the blessing and Alex Michailidis, EMWP coordinator; 3) Artists Chelsea Fahsholtz and Claudia Coonen reading "Songs for Koa"; 4) Artist Mira Carmen checks out the "Cloud Forest"; 5) EMWP crew and friends enjoy pupus and pictures of fieldwork.

The show was such a success, we may just have to do it again next year! In the meantime, take a look at the selected artwork.

Kit Gentry
1st Place Adult Division
Cloud Forest
Oil on Canvas

Connie J. Adams
2nd Place Adult Division
Songs for Koa
Handmade Book

Sandra Viterelli
3rd Place Adult Division
Hawaiian Birds
Stoneware

Kaiola Shibly, age 9
1st Place Keiki Division
Po'ouli
Colored Pencil on Paper

Ashley Wittke, age 12
2nd Place Keiki Division
'Akohekohe
Acrylic

Keliane Shinyama, age 10
3rd Place Keiki Division
Pueo overtaking Myna Bird
Chalk

Kiani Yasak, age 15
Juror's Award
Ka 'O'opu Kupaianaha
Watercolor

Randy Ross
EMWP Honorable Mention
'Apapane with 'Ohi'a Lehua Blossom
Oil on Canvas

Neal Wagner
EMWP Honorable Mention
'Apapane...
Photography

Neida Bangerter
Fundamental Elements
Acrylic

Roxanne Broadbent
Makahiku Falls, Pipiwai Trail
Acrylic

Mira Carmen
Cyclic Group
Human Hair

Claudia Coonen
'Ie 'Ie, Frycineta arborea
Wood Block Print

Marguerite Etemad
'Ano Maile, 'Ano Kupu
Seed of Maile, Full of Promise
Photography

Chelsea Fahsholtz
Clermontia Buds, Waikamoi
Pastels

Malcolm Findley
Pueo, Hawaiian Short Eared Owl
Acrylic on Panel

Anneliese Flemming
'Ohi'a
Oil

Betty Hay Freeland
Ka Noekolo o Ko'olau Forest
The Creeping Mist of the Ko'olau Forest
Oil

Maile Getzen
Keiki Koa
Colored Pencil

Joanne Hanson Adams
Wananalua Ahupua'a
Oil on Linen Panel

Linda Jenson
Koa, Happyface, Dragonfly
Mixed Media

Anthony Kekona
Lau Nahele
Plants of the Forest
Acrylic

Jayne Kerns
Delicate - Thomisidae Spider on Kukui
Photography

Carleton Kinkade
'Alala
Oil on Canvas

Henry Lau
Maiopilo
Watercolor

Stephen Levine
Summer 2004
Photography

Rebecca Lowell
'Ohelo Berries
Oil

Vanessa Massey
Baby Koa - With a Little Kokua, Life Renews
Mixed Media

Jaquelynne Mauvais
Hana Hala
Watercolor

Angel Melody
Koa Generation
Acrylic on Canvas

Nguyen-Temple
Hana Bliss
Silk

Jupiter Nielsen
'Akohekohe on 'Ohi'a
Flameworked Borosilicated Glass

John Noble
Honomanu Waterfall
Acrylic

Diane Norman
'Ohelo Berries
Watercolor

Joelle C. Perz
In Touch with the Sacred Land
Oil on Carved Wood

Pam Peterson
Lehua o Maui
Oil

Sharon Ransford
From Tree to Sea
Porcelain

John M. Romaine
Hilu Pili Koa
Hawaiian Hawkfish Close-Up Color Pencil

Scott Semple
Native Sedge
Mixed Media

Jan Shaner
'Ohi'a Beauty
Oil

Maggie C. Sutrov
Wander
Oil on Wood

Michael
Haha-Nui
Digital Print

Christy Vail
Endemic Beetle of Hawai'i
Ceramic, Oxide, Acid Etched Glaze, Kanthal Wire

Yeoun Ug Yap
'Ohi'a Lehua
Oil

Tom McKinlay
Pueo Eyes
Photography

Leo E. Holmes
Voices of Kamehameha
Oil Pastel

Frank J. Wicker
Kissing Nene
Photography

Karl Lehmann
Wao Akua
Photography

Daylan Machado, age 10
Maui Forest
Chalk

Noelani Williams-Ho'opi'i, age 7
E Hawai'i Au
Chalk

Alika Ribao, age 10
Native Bird
Chalk

Rachelle Ruye, age 10
Berries
Acrylic

prizes

• Overnight trip via helicopter into pristine rainforest (cabin provided)-Kit Gentry
• 45 minute flight over East Maui Watershed-Sandra Vitarelli
• One night at Hotel Hana-Maui, seaside cottage-Connie J. Adams
• An art class from Hui Noeau-Keliane Shinyama
• An art class from Ke'ena Kuakahi Art Studio (Phil Sabado)-Ashley Wittke
• Framed print by Jack Jeffrey, wildlife photographer-Kaiola Shibly
• "Wao Akua: Sacred Source of Life" a collection of photos, essays and chant-Randy Ross and Neal Wagner
• $100 gift certificate to Golden Palette-Kiani Yasak

A big mahalo goes out to the following businesses and agencies who donated printing and prizes for this contest:

Ace Printing Company

George Allan (juror's award)

Hotel Hana-Maui

Hui Noeau Visual Arts Center

Jack Jeffrey Photography

Ke'ena Kuakahi Art Studio

State of Hawai'i, Department of Land and Natural Resources

Windward Aviation