KAHULUI, MAUI
In April 2022, Jocelyn Romero Demirbag and Dean Tokishi - each raised in Kahului - participated in our Hui Mo‘olelo program, led by kumu Leilehua Yuen. Upon completion, they were paired with cross-generational mentors for an audio-recorded talk-story session. Professional artists were then asked to submit a proposal bringing these stories to life through a work of public art. Upon selection by a community jury, artists entered a period of project development to infuse proposals in Kahului history, culture and sense of place -- ultimately resulting in a freely accessible work created through community engagement.
Led by director Richard O'Connor and his Brooklyn-based animation team at Ace & Son Moving Picture Co, these talk-story audio recordings were interpreted as short, animated films and unveiled during a free, public event at the historic ʻĪao Theater on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022. Aunty Kahoiwai also performed a reading from her developing book inspired through this process. (READ) A free traveling exhibit including this work was on view at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Pā‘ina Market from January 5 - March 31, 2023.
Led by director Richard O'Connor and his Brooklyn-based animation team at Ace & Son Moving Picture Co, these talk-story audio recordings were interpreted as short, animated films and unveiled during a free, public event at the historic ʻĪao Theater on Tuesday, Dec 20, 2022. Aunty Kahoiwai also performed a reading from her developing book inspired through this process. (READ) A free traveling exhibit including this work was on view at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College Pā‘ina Market from January 5 - March 31, 2023.
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ARTWORK
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The Receding Waters
Names begin with material conditions. By understanding the history of our names, we gain the power to preserve and elevate them. This film uses tactile graphics to explore those links. Inspired by ʻōlelo noʻeau #1932: Kuʻu ēwe, kuʻu piko, kuʻu iwi, kuʻu koko. (My umbilical cord, my naval, my bones, my blood.)
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Dive
For this film we wanted to take the point of view of the narrator/diver. We imagine their experience immersed in the sea, experiencing the great and the small. To conjure submersion we employed monochromatic watercolor and charcoal-inspired line work with heavy shadows and light. Inspired by ʻōlelo noʻeau #613: He iʻa no ka pāpaʻu, he loaʻa wale i ka hopu lima; he iʻa no ka hohonu , noho i ka ʻeaʻea. (Fish of the shallows are easy to catch with the hands; but fish of the depths keep the fisherman wet with sea spray.)
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STUDENT ARTWORK
In November 2022, we partnered with the Maui Satellite Job Corps Center to offer a free Hui Mo‘olelo workshop. Art Corps' Kelly McHugh-White shared these kūpuna audio recordings with students and encouraged them to interpret one as a work of visual art. Under the guidance of teaching artist Jana Ireijo, the group spent two hours learning about different mediums -- from charcoal and pastel to watercolor and acrylic -- and created their own piece, to be on display at the December 20 ʻĪao Theater event. Together, the fine artwork and animated films offer a new means of connection to the knowledge keepers of our community as well as the inspiration to share, preserve and remember stories about this special place. Click any image below or scan the individual QR codes to hear their own artist statements, which were shared with the larger group.
PROJECT TIMELINE
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Aunty Kahoiwai & Jocelyn
Snippet of Dean & Uncle Johnny's story
ʻĪao event photos
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