In 2020, a new nonprofit organization was established to help scale Wailuku-based creative placemaking initiative SMALL TOWN * BIG ART to a countywide movement. Designed to connect people, place and story through the development of exceptional public art, Maui Public Art Corps seed funding was provided by the NEA to pilot programming in up to 3 new Maui County neighborhoods. Through a process of community consensus-building and direct invitations to partner, Maui Public Art Corps focused its efforts on Lānaʻi City, Kahoʻolawe and Kahului -- in addition to maintaining its signature programming within the budding Wailuku Arts District.
In June 2023, the County of Maui approached Maui Public Art Corps to direct public artwork installations at new fitness courts earmarked for Keōpūolani Regional Park (which borders Wailuku and Kahului) and Kahului Community Center Park (Kahului). Developed through a new partnership with the Hawaii Medical Service Association and the National Fitness Campaign, the fitness courts were initially scheduled for a fall 2023 installation; now delayed to 2024 due to the Maui wildfire disaster. To date, the 100+ fitness courts installed nationwide by the National Fitness Campaign have included large-scale artwork backing each rear wall; offering a canvas of approximately 32’ x 7’ to promote pre-existing work from an artist's portfolio selected by each host town. Respectably, the County of Maui opted to apply our custom approach to identifying the artists and developing site-specific artwork in collaboration with the community -- and guided by Mary Kawena Pukui’s ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings.
For the past 3 months, artist Courtney Holland has worked closely with Maui Public Art Corps, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House / Maui Historical Society, County of Maui, National Fitness Campaign and Kahului community consultants to create a work of public art informed by the history, culture and sense of place of Keōpūolani Regional Park. What began as a proposal centered on the image of the he’e becoming one with mauka (mountains) and makai (sea) has beautifully and organically developed into a composition featuring the koa'e kea (white-tailed tropicbird) moving through the canvas space in a representation of past, present and future.
"Listening to people tell their stories about Kahului has made me feel proud of where I come from," shares the artist, "taking time to reflect on the information given from each community member, at first I was thinking more literal with every idea I had. I believe I had multiple ideas wanting to conjoin but never fully did. Being able to take a step back, I found a more focused idea I want to portray. I have a better understanding of what I want my mural to become. Focusing heavily on the idea of following the footsteps of our elders. I wanted to encapsulate the idea of wanting to become a better person for the people that raised us as well as personal wellbeing."
Please enjoy Courtney's artist Q&A below:
In June 2023, the County of Maui approached Maui Public Art Corps to direct public artwork installations at new fitness courts earmarked for Keōpūolani Regional Park (which borders Wailuku and Kahului) and Kahului Community Center Park (Kahului). Developed through a new partnership with the Hawaii Medical Service Association and the National Fitness Campaign, the fitness courts were initially scheduled for a fall 2023 installation; now delayed to 2024 due to the Maui wildfire disaster. To date, the 100+ fitness courts installed nationwide by the National Fitness Campaign have included large-scale artwork backing each rear wall; offering a canvas of approximately 32’ x 7’ to promote pre-existing work from an artist's portfolio selected by each host town. Respectably, the County of Maui opted to apply our custom approach to identifying the artists and developing site-specific artwork in collaboration with the community -- and guided by Mary Kawena Pukui’s ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings.
For the past 3 months, artist Courtney Holland has worked closely with Maui Public Art Corps, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House / Maui Historical Society, County of Maui, National Fitness Campaign and Kahului community consultants to create a work of public art informed by the history, culture and sense of place of Keōpūolani Regional Park. What began as a proposal centered on the image of the he’e becoming one with mauka (mountains) and makai (sea) has beautifully and organically developed into a composition featuring the koa'e kea (white-tailed tropicbird) moving through the canvas space in a representation of past, present and future.
"Listening to people tell their stories about Kahului has made me feel proud of where I come from," shares the artist, "taking time to reflect on the information given from each community member, at first I was thinking more literal with every idea I had. I believe I had multiple ideas wanting to conjoin but never fully did. Being able to take a step back, I found a more focused idea I want to portray. I have a better understanding of what I want my mural to become. Focusing heavily on the idea of following the footsteps of our elders. I wanted to encapsulate the idea of wanting to become a better person for the people that raised us as well as personal wellbeing."
Please enjoy Courtney's artist Q&A below:
Please share your story as an artist: Courtney Kanani Holland is a young digital media artist that has grown up in Maui, Hawaii. From learning Adobe programs at a young age, she took advantage of self teaching in illustration programs that would excel her artwork to this day. 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 Hawaii that the community can also relate to. When Courtney is not creating artwork, she is most likely to be found as your barista in Wailuku. While working as a barista, she exhibits her work from time to time in the cafe honing in on her digital art skills. Along with helping support other artists, she has helped on Murals at Lihikai Elementary, Wailuku Coffee Company, Waiside Detailers, and Hoi Hoi Bakery.
How did each of your community consultations contribute to your revised artwork design? I enjoyed Aunty Kekoa's stories so much. She definitely reminded me of the aunties I grew up with when I was a kid. After hearing her stories, I did not want to incorporate them too literally; wanting to interpret her husband’s stories as birds following one another. This created the main focus of my mural to become what it is now.
I found Arthur’s conversation very fascinating by learning the history of the MACC and Keopuolani Park. I wanted to incorporate the alahe’e and naio within the waves to pay homage to it previously being a raw fish camp. I also decided to add a more detailed design of the fish within the waves to show the idea of fish as people coming to Keopuolani Park as a place of gathering.
I also found interest in the community conversation from Maui Nui Botanical Gardens that Kelly recommended I look at. After going there personally and gaining more information about the various plants that they care for, I wanted to include flora and fauna into my piece. Incorporating flora that related to the raw fish camp as well as native plants that are common to the public eye.
How did the community engagement process impact your approach as an artist? Taking time to reflect on the information given from each community member, at first I was thinking more literal with every idea I had. I believe I had multiple ideas wanting to conjoin but never fully did. Being able to take a step back, I found a more focused idea I want to portray. I have a better understanding of what I want my mural to become. Focusing heavily on the idea of following the footsteps of our elders. I wanted to encapsulate the idea of wanting to become a better person for the people that raised us as well as personal wellbeing.
What did you learn about Kahului through this process that stands out to you? Throughout this process, I have grown more admiration for the island I grew up on. I mean I have always, but as I get older there is a sense of feeling more content with the island I grew up on. Listening to these people tell their stories about Kahului has made me feel proud of where I come from. Growing up going to the MACC as a kid, I was always fascinated about the origin story of the building itself. Being in the mindset of a child, I was constantly obsessed with wanting to climb the netted gates but never really did. Playing soccer as a kid in Keopuolani park to now having my artwork being integrated within the parks has given me a full circle moment.
What do you hope your artwork will convey to those coming into contact with it in the park? I hope people find a sense of connection with this piece. I believe within personal growth, each person will understand the idea of wanting to follow in the footsteps of the people who came before us. Whether it be wanting to become better for personal well being or for the future of the community. I believe it is our way of saying thanks to the people that raised us and finding a better future for the community itself.
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Learn more about Courtney and her artwork development process at mauipublicart.org/keopuolani.
How did each of your community consultations contribute to your revised artwork design? I enjoyed Aunty Kekoa's stories so much. She definitely reminded me of the aunties I grew up with when I was a kid. After hearing her stories, I did not want to incorporate them too literally; wanting to interpret her husband’s stories as birds following one another. This created the main focus of my mural to become what it is now.
I found Arthur’s conversation very fascinating by learning the history of the MACC and Keopuolani Park. I wanted to incorporate the alahe’e and naio within the waves to pay homage to it previously being a raw fish camp. I also decided to add a more detailed design of the fish within the waves to show the idea of fish as people coming to Keopuolani Park as a place of gathering.
I also found interest in the community conversation from Maui Nui Botanical Gardens that Kelly recommended I look at. After going there personally and gaining more information about the various plants that they care for, I wanted to include flora and fauna into my piece. Incorporating flora that related to the raw fish camp as well as native plants that are common to the public eye.
How did the community engagement process impact your approach as an artist? Taking time to reflect on the information given from each community member, at first I was thinking more literal with every idea I had. I believe I had multiple ideas wanting to conjoin but never fully did. Being able to take a step back, I found a more focused idea I want to portray. I have a better understanding of what I want my mural to become. Focusing heavily on the idea of following the footsteps of our elders. I wanted to encapsulate the idea of wanting to become a better person for the people that raised us as well as personal wellbeing.
What did you learn about Kahului through this process that stands out to you? Throughout this process, I have grown more admiration for the island I grew up on. I mean I have always, but as I get older there is a sense of feeling more content with the island I grew up on. Listening to these people tell their stories about Kahului has made me feel proud of where I come from. Growing up going to the MACC as a kid, I was always fascinated about the origin story of the building itself. Being in the mindset of a child, I was constantly obsessed with wanting to climb the netted gates but never really did. Playing soccer as a kid in Keopuolani park to now having my artwork being integrated within the parks has given me a full circle moment.
What do you hope your artwork will convey to those coming into contact with it in the park? I hope people find a sense of connection with this piece. I believe within personal growth, each person will understand the idea of wanting to follow in the footsteps of the people who came before us. Whether it be wanting to become better for personal well being or for the future of the community. I believe it is our way of saying thanks to the people that raised us and finding a better future for the community itself.
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Learn more about Courtney and her artwork development process at mauipublicart.org/keopuolani.
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