BEHIND THE DESIGN - THE ART OF STORY-TELLING

It is within the relaying of moʻolelo (story, myth, and tradition) through different forms of art that we are taught about the continuous transformation of energy from one being to another.

Oli (chant),

Hula (to dance),

Mele (song),

'Ōlelo noʻeau (proverb),

Moʻolelo (story, myth, tradition),

Mo'okū'auhau (genealogy),

Carving, Weaving, Printing, Building, Pounding Kapa, and now Pyrography.

Ka Wai Ola translates to The Life-Giving Water or A Source of Life. Wai (water) that is continuously flowing, feeding and that's who we will always aspire to be. Just as water shifts into different shapes and forms, we ourselves channel these traditions as extensions of ourselves in honor of the elements that allow our systems to flow.

As children, we would chant about where to find the mystical beings that transfer water and all the different forms they show themselves in. We began to question the movements of water that we see as well as donʻt see and ask, Aia I hea ka wai a Kāne? Where is the water of Kāne?

It has become a mission through art and design to share how we and our ʻāina (land, that which feeds) are reflections of each other. Each design created is inspired by Ka Wai Ola — A source of life— and ʻike (knowledge) shared by kupuna (grand parents/ancestors) to inspire the sustenance of a healthy cycle with these natural beings that are constantly moving water through each physical and elemental form.

Each design is expressed through patterns and vibrations re-configured to share a story that resides within its essence and being. Within each creation lies a plethora of meaning with the hope to share a bit of ʻike in the artistically expressive ways our kupuna (ancestors) taught us to continuously adapt to. As a reflection of our `āina, itʻs heart warming to know that each creation resonates with each individual in their own way and relates to every journey in some way shape or form.

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  • In honor of Kāne. Akua (god) of fresh water. One of the four chief gods.
    An excerpt from the sixteen verse creation chant, the Kumulipo. Translated by Queen Lili'uokalani and published in 1897.
  • O Kāne i ka wai ‘ololī a ‘ololā

    Kāne, of the narrow stream and of the broad stream
    O ke kane huawai, Akua kena 

    A husband of gourd, and yet a god

    O kalina a ka wai i ho‘oulu ai
    A tendril strengthened by water and grew

    O ka huli ho‘okawowo honua 

    A being, produced by earth and spread,

    O paia ‘a i ke auau ka manawa 

    Made deafening by the swiftness of time

    O he‘e au loloa ka po 

    Of the Hee that lengthened through the night,

    O piha, o pihapiha 

    That filled and kept on filling

    O piha-u, o piha-a 

    Of filling, until, filled

    O piha-e, o piha-o
    To filling, ’tis full,

    O ke ko‘o honua pa‘a ka lani 

    And supported the earth, which held the heaven