Merry Monarch (King Kalākaua)
King David Kalākaua was the last king of Hawaii and he ruled from 1874 to 1891. He was actually elected to his position by the Hawaiian (at that time) legislature after the last of the Kamehameha kings died . He married Kapi’olani Napelakapuokaka’e daughter of High Chief Kalaniana’ole of Hilo and and High Chiefess Kinoiki Kekaulike of Kauaʻi. The two remained childless so Kapiolani brought Jonah Kuhio and his brothers into the royal lineage via the tradition of “hanai” and Kalakaua made them princes.
Surfing Chocks
I experience a mix of emotion when I’m in the ocean; life, peace, wonder, relaxation, thrill and awe. Especially when on a surfboard, letting the waves take you for a magnificent ride. This is the inspiration for my surfer. Fantasies of surfing from long ago. Chocks is a small local surfing spot in Hilo (Keaukaha) on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Dancing Alone in the Mahealani Moon Light
Originally, this piece began as a life sized sculpture to be used as my thesis project for my MFA. I choose the Hula Dancer because the hula is a part of my culture. In particular I chose a male hula dancer as, in the beginning, only men were allowed to dance it. I was inspired by the grace, strength, and rhythms of the dancers. I tried to capture that in my piece. The hula dancer tells a story with his body and his hands. I like observers to look at the piece and get involved personally. I want people to ask themselves, “What do his hands say to me?”
Lono
Lono is the God of Peace. He represents agriculture, fertility, music and rainfall. He was one of the four Gods that was in existence before the world was created.
Outrigger Canoe Paddler
This paddler was inspired by my nephew. He was a Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe paddler and, in Hawaii, the paddling competition is fierce. Just before a race, he would go off on his own and visualize what he needed to do. Paddling was a big part of my life. I left it behind to move to the mainland for a better life for my family. This piece is a lament for those times, for a sport so large a part of my life and my culture.
Moi ili ili (Life of the Community)
As I search for inspiration, I sometimes look to my culture. Mo ili ili means, “life of the community.” Needless to say, the life of any community begins with it’s families. Children represent not only the future but also the sum total of what we are. From the beginning of time our ancestors have given us knnowledge, to survive, to cope, to love, and to pray. The proud warrior lifting his child to the heavens is expressing his joy to God and to all his ancestors. For what we are is what we were…
Desperado
Several years ago I sculpted a cowboy. Unfortunately, the mold was damaged beyond repair. My wife later asked me to re-sculpt the piece as it had been one of her favorites. She loved my depiction of a cowboy; the pose, the face, just seemed so natural to her. So, I did.
King of Clubs
This piece was conceived when I was watching some of the world’s best golfers participate in a tournament. I was so inspired by the taIent of the golfers in that game I decided to sculpt a golfer. I enjoyed observing their form and focus. The strength, power, and control of these athletes was so impressive. I tried to impart that same intensity in my piece in order to bring them to life in their play of the game.
Deedee
She was a project that I particularly enjoyed. One of my professors also liked the piece and asked me to submit it to Sculpture Magazine’s yearly college competition. It received the International Sculpture Center’s Outstanding Achievement in Sculpture Award. As for the piece itself, I have always enjoyed her.
Otters, Mother and Baby
A sculpture of two Otters , a parent and child
Pele
Pele’s Ascent is a sculpture of the goddess Pele ascending from the volcano erupting into the sky. It’s the picture I had in my mind’s eye when I decided to sculpt her.
Wild Things
Wild Things depicts the life and death struggle between a hawk and a snake. I wanted to show the hawk in hunting mode as well as the snakes natural reaction to the threat.
Bushman
This piece is a study of a childhood friend using an odd-shaped soapstone I found. I used this material in it’s natural state to illustrate my friend who was kneeling on the beach one day just checking out the surf.
Chief Joseph
I created this piece when I was attending University. I recalled seeing a movie about Chief Joseph when I was very young and he inspired me. The original finished piece sold years ago and I wanted to create a similar piece. The mold was no longer usable so I recreated the piece.
Studying The Talmud
I created this piece for my wife’s cousin who was studying to become one of the few female rabbis of her time. Her dedication and her hard work to balance family and religious studies was truly inspirational to the design of this piece.