FITNESS COURTS: Keōpūolani Regional Park
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Through a new partnership with the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) and the National Fitness Campaign, whose mission is to build healthy communities, two outdoor Fitness Court installations are coming to the County of Maui in the fall of 2023. With a 224 square foot sheer wall backing the structures, each Fitness Court presents an opportunity for a public artwork that enhances and enriches the site while also addressing the public input received in our recent Maui County Public Art Community Survey to produce art that preserves local stories, environment and history.
Maui artist Courtney Holland has been selected to design a work of public art at the Keōpūolani Regional Park site that engages a diverse public audience and celebrates the site’s history, culture and sense of place. Bookmark this page for ongoing updates! |
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Courtney Holland | @theluckyholland
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Courtney Kanani Holland is a digital media artist that has grown up in Maui, Hawaiʻi. Influenced by childhood memories, she has created surrealist artwork that evokes personal and collective experiences. Taking pride in her Hapa background, she illustrates mementos that remind her of growing up in Hawaiʻi that the community can relate to. When Courtney is not creating artwork, she is most likely to be found as your barista in Wailuku. Along with helping support other artists, she has assisted with murals at Lihikai Elementary, Wailuku Coffee Company, Waiside Detailers, and Hoi Hoi Bakery.
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Proposed Concept
My mission with this Mural is to make people feel proud of their community. Being surrounded by a community is a “melting pot” of creativity that can allow the people to grow into their full potential. Exemplifying how grateful we should be living on this beautiful island and the strength it holds.
The central image shows the he’e (octopus) becoming one with Mauka (Mountains) and Makai (Sea). I wanted to use the he’e to represent reverence and strength. As humans, we should strive to evolve into something better and stronger for the improvement of oneself. The he’e stretches out its arms symbolizing our community becoming malleable to its surroundings as if gaining strength. The limbs evolve into different elements of life such as the sun, clouds, ocean, a pathway, and wildlife. Even though they may lead us in different directions than others, they will reflect back and become a better self than they were before. Alone, these elements showcase unique beauty; but when brought together they illustrate the teamwork of beauty that is hidden right in front of our eyes.
The nalu (waves) crashing into the he’e illustrates the idea of overcoming challenges that come and go in our life. Teaching people that by overcoming these trials they can accomplish more than they expected.
Taking the meaning of Keopuolani (“Gathering of the Clouds of Heaven”) I incorporated the opua (clouds) which depicts the evolution of growth in humans wanting to evolve and become better and stronger over time. Bursting through the clouds, the Ia (the sun) casts its alaula (light of dawn, glow of sunset) onto Mauna Kahalawai (West Maui Mountains) showing guidance to the goals we look towards in life. In addition to the mountains, I included Ulu (breadfruit) as a quilted pattern that is commonly found at Keopuolani Park and represents the abundance of opportunities that the community is given.
The alahele (path) portrays the walkways throughout the parks. I wanted to depict the paths as the stems branching off from one another. Guiding us as humans to newer opportunities that will strengthen us mentally and physically. Even though the paths may lead people into different directions, people will always remember where they started from. At the end, the path brings you into various wildlife such as Hō'i'o (Pohole ferns) and red ginger. The Pohole ferns and red ginger depict growth and change giving people the reminder to look back on its beauty and reflect on personal accomplishments. Giving hope to the community that the strength they hold will lead them to greater opportunities.
The central image shows the he’e (octopus) becoming one with Mauka (Mountains) and Makai (Sea). I wanted to use the he’e to represent reverence and strength. As humans, we should strive to evolve into something better and stronger for the improvement of oneself. The he’e stretches out its arms symbolizing our community becoming malleable to its surroundings as if gaining strength. The limbs evolve into different elements of life such as the sun, clouds, ocean, a pathway, and wildlife. Even though they may lead us in different directions than others, they will reflect back and become a better self than they were before. Alone, these elements showcase unique beauty; but when brought together they illustrate the teamwork of beauty that is hidden right in front of our eyes.
The nalu (waves) crashing into the he’e illustrates the idea of overcoming challenges that come and go in our life. Teaching people that by overcoming these trials they can accomplish more than they expected.
Taking the meaning of Keopuolani (“Gathering of the Clouds of Heaven”) I incorporated the opua (clouds) which depicts the evolution of growth in humans wanting to evolve and become better and stronger over time. Bursting through the clouds, the Ia (the sun) casts its alaula (light of dawn, glow of sunset) onto Mauna Kahalawai (West Maui Mountains) showing guidance to the goals we look towards in life. In addition to the mountains, I included Ulu (breadfruit) as a quilted pattern that is commonly found at Keopuolani Park and represents the abundance of opportunities that the community is given.
The alahele (path) portrays the walkways throughout the parks. I wanted to depict the paths as the stems branching off from one another. Guiding us as humans to newer opportunities that will strengthen us mentally and physically. Even though the paths may lead people into different directions, people will always remember where they started from. At the end, the path brings you into various wildlife such as Hō'i'o (Pohole ferns) and red ginger. The Pohole ferns and red ginger depict growth and change giving people the reminder to look back on its beauty and reflect on personal accomplishments. Giving hope to the community that the strength they hold will lead them to greater opportunities.
Community consultation with Mary Kielty
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Community Consultation with Art Vento
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Community Consultation with Aunty Kekoa Enomoto
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‘Ōlelo No‘eau meeting with Sissy Lake-Farm
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Project Timeline
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