Does not include shipping or hanging. It does have mounting points on its verso.
This board is not surfable. It has a massive crack in the middle and is for display only!
2019, Acrylic on surfboard 118 x 20 x 9”
This image is derived from He Kumulipo and the Trials of Māui pulling up Pimoi the great fish ( a poetic allusion to islands) using the hook Manaiakalani made from the jaw of his kupuna (ancestor).
The fish hook represents the knowledge gained from the ancestors. Manaiakalani is also the name of the constellation known in the west as Scorpius. The fishing line is Māui’s connection to generations of ancestors. The reason fish is used as an analogy for land can be seen in the word for land: ‘āina which con- notes eating or sustenance.
Manaiakalani can be used to find the Kuamo’o or Milky Way which is also referred to as Aukai o ka‘ia or a school of fish. The hook intersects almost at right angles to the Milky Way which you could also think of as Pimoi. Hoku-noho- aupuni is another name for the Milky Way. Hoku is star. Noho is Rule. Aupuni is the Na- tion. The intersection of Manaiakalani and Hokunohoaupuni takes on incredible signifi- cance.
Kauikeauoli, Kamehameha III was born under these stars. He was guided into this world by Kapihe who traveled the physical path known as Kuamo‘o. As a youth the King extolled his nation to learn to write and read in Hawai- ian. As a consequence we can remember what would have otherwise been lost to the many pandemics that afflicted our people through the confluence with western culture. He set our nation’s foundation in such a way that we could lead the world. I feel that time is now. Māui must once again take up the line and pull in the great fish hook. Will it still hold?
I interpret the great tasks of Māui as occurring over many generations and spanning great distances. Many islands lay claim to his great deeds. He is our ancestor. We can see him
in each of us as we take on the great tasks
of the day. Our current situation of climate change is similar to the old days when many people saw the sky falling. This may refer to climate change occurring which was recorded by many cultures. It was Māui that shouldered the heavens and thrust it back into place. Māui’s last task was to defy death. He has suc- ceeded quite well. His life is within our very DNA and the mo‘olelo we have shared for eons across the vast ocean.
‘aina: land
‘ai: food mo‘olelo: history