Hahalua

Hahalua is a 22 x 49-inch painting on handmade traditional Hawaiian kapa, embodying the profound relationship between Hawaiians, the ocean, and their ‘aumakua . The title, Hahalua , refers to the manta ray, a creature that bridges two realms with each jumping breath—one in the air, one in the ocean. This duality mirrors the life of a spear fisherwoman, whose existence is similarly intertwined with the sea and the sky as she hunts for sustenance. The piece honors the Hawaiian connection to food, the sacred reciprocity of taking from the ocean, and the spiritual guidance of the ‘aumakua . Through this work, the ocean is depicted not only as a source of life but as a sacred space of harmony and respect, where every action is tied to ancestral wisdom and responsibility. Keywords: hawaiian, kapa, 'aumakua

Materials: Traditional Hawaiian Kapa and ink in hand made frame