High Tides/Low Tides (February 2019)
Kaiʻili Kaulukukui, Pangeaseed Foundation
Mural at 104 Market St., Wailuku
Kaiʻili Kaulukukui, Pangeaseed Foundation
Mural at 104 Market St., Wailuku
High Tides/Low Tides (February 2019)
Kaiʻili Kaulukukui, Pangeaseed Foundation
Mural at 24 N. Market St., Wailuku
Artist statement: “Oceanic tides connect us all, whether we live in a coastal town, inland or even in the mountains, tides affect our lives. The amount of plastics in the sea has been increasing and is reaching catastrophic levels of saturation and much of the floating garbage is at the mercy of the tides and winds.
Nearly everything we use has some attachment to plastic, and unfortunately, time and time again those plastics end up in the sea. We have to stay vigilant about every plastic straw, bag, single use bottle and cap, cigarette and candy wrapper and so much more, that we drop on the ground, as it eventually ends up in the ocean harming ecosystems and the animals that live there.
The oceanic composition in “High Tides/ Low Tides” is meant to represent the change in tidal movements throughout the year. The moon phase is stuck on full to indicate the maximum effect of the process, and to strengthen the idea of the power caused by a full moon. The large red sun is layered over the ocean as a reminder that a large chunk of our trash is from Japan and other countries far across the sea. The subdued color palette is meant to represent the lost luster of plastics as they are heated in the sun and broken down in to micro plastics. The honu who is stuck in the lines and plastic represents us, people stuck in their ways and trapped by routine. The swimmer reaching to pull off the debris is a keiki, the literal representation of our future, and the idea of positive change that can be obtained.”
PHOTOS: Tre' Packard
Kaiʻili Kaulukukui, Pangeaseed Foundation
Mural at 24 N. Market St., Wailuku
Artist statement: “Oceanic tides connect us all, whether we live in a coastal town, inland or even in the mountains, tides affect our lives. The amount of plastics in the sea has been increasing and is reaching catastrophic levels of saturation and much of the floating garbage is at the mercy of the tides and winds.
Nearly everything we use has some attachment to plastic, and unfortunately, time and time again those plastics end up in the sea. We have to stay vigilant about every plastic straw, bag, single use bottle and cap, cigarette and candy wrapper and so much more, that we drop on the ground, as it eventually ends up in the ocean harming ecosystems and the animals that live there.
The oceanic composition in “High Tides/ Low Tides” is meant to represent the change in tidal movements throughout the year. The moon phase is stuck on full to indicate the maximum effect of the process, and to strengthen the idea of the power caused by a full moon. The large red sun is layered over the ocean as a reminder that a large chunk of our trash is from Japan and other countries far across the sea. The subdued color palette is meant to represent the lost luster of plastics as they are heated in the sun and broken down in to micro plastics. The honu who is stuck in the lines and plastic represents us, people stuck in their ways and trapped by routine. The swimmer reaching to pull off the debris is a keiki, the literal representation of our future, and the idea of positive change that can be obtained.”
PHOTOS: Tre' Packard
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About Kai’ili Kaulukukui: Kai’ili Kaulukukui was born on the Big Island of Hawaii, and inspired by Hawaii’s natural beauty, abundant ocean life, and rich native culture, began drawing at an early age. He was a BFA candidate at the University of Hawaii Windward campus where he studied under Snowden Hodges who has a deep base in classical techniques of oil painting. Simultaneously, he was trained in oil by apprenticing with Dennis Morton. Later, he transferred to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Kai currently works as a painter and muralist in Honolulu, out of Lana Lane Studios in Kaka’ako and more recently has been acting as the Ground Operations Manager for PangeaSeed Foundation's Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans program. He has been immersed in shark culture, imagery and information that has sparked his imagination. Based on his research, lately Kai’s works illustrate compromised sharks and aquatic environments. His paintings and murals tackle marine life, often sharks with a loose and flowing approach complimented with drips cascading down the work. About PangeaSeed: PangeaSeed is an international collective of artists and activists whose mission is to harnesses the power of art, science, and creativity to generate awareness and effect positive change surrounding global ocean environmental issues. Their February 2019 “Mauka to Makai" proposal to SMALL TOWN * BIG ART brought together 19 artists from around the world to address some of today's most pressing issues affecting our marine and freshwater resources through large-scale, purpose-driven public art. Learn More: SMALL TOWN * BIG ART Welcomes PangeaSeed Foundation to Wailuku Town (1/24/19) | Team of Artists to Paint Murals Throughout Wailuku and Central Maui (1/25/19) (1/27/19) | Proof of Concept (1/31/19) | Six Months In! SMALL TOWN * BIG ART (5/23/19) |
WAILUKU ART MAP:
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Click on any of the starred locations on this map to view photos of the public artwork and to link to its project page. For a self-guided walking tour, we recommend parking at the Wells Park temporary parking lot and heading mauka from there. Please note that RED starred locations are currently on view; BLACK starred locations were temporary. The map is updated as new projects are completed.
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