Reflection

Reflection

My work was inspired by the Lahaina fires. Lahaina was once a beautiful place, but in the wildfires of 2023, lots of Maui was reduced to ash. As my family watched the news coverage on our neighboring island, Oahu, we saw people jumping into the ocean, praying that a boat would save them. When the smoke cleared, the community directed its attention to the sources of the fire: broken power lines, corruption, poor maintenance, and climate change. People began to wonder if a more natural and self-reliant existence, like that of our ancestors, would be better. I began to imagine a visual story that crossed time. I painted an ancient Hawaiian ancestor on a traditional canoe, rescuing a modern woman from flames that symbolize both climate disaster and cultural loss. In the background, the city burns, while the goddess Pele, with her fiery hair consuming the land, watches in sorrow. She is both a cause and a witness to human suffering. In Hawaii, there is a strong cultural belief that if the environment and gods are not cared for, they will fight back. This painting allowed me to explore ideas of past and present, idealism and realism. I was inspired by the resilience of Indigenous knowledge, the strength of memories passed down through generations, and Hawaii's strong spiritual relationship with nature. My medium, digital painting, allowed me to easily create whenever I was inspired. I think the accessibility, in addition to the great color and texture options, allowed me to fully take advantage of my surroundings. My message to viewers is simple: the wisdom to survive has always been with us, but only if we are willing to accept the helping hand of our ancestors, look back, listen deeply, and act boldly. The title of my work is "Hāʻawi lākou i ka lima i ke alakaʻi," which means "they offer a hand in guidance." Are we going to take it?