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Click to view a short film featuring artist Kirk Kurokawa, County of Maui Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Martin, Native Ecosystems Biologist Fern Duvall, and Hawaiian cultural practitioner and Hale Ho'ike'ike Executive Director Sissy Lake-Farm — as they share their expertise in relation to the public art piece Hoʻomau. This film was created by Todd Perkins of Hawaii Video Memories (April 2021).
The purpose of the Victim Witness Assistance Division is to help ensure that victims and witnesses are treated with compassion, dignity, understanding and respect by the criminal justice system. Please email [email protected] for help or click here to learn more. |
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Hoʻomau (March 15 - April 1, 2021)
Kirk & Karla Kurokawa
Mural at the Victim Witness Building/ Maui County Children’s Peace Center located at 2103 Wells Street, Wailuku
NOTE: Out of respect for work that is done within the building, the public is asked not to directly approach the site.
“This is going to be the first place where we feel healing can begin for the child, after they have told of a most horrific or unimaginable event that has happened to them,” says Ruth Mori of the County Victim Witness Assistance Division.
Kirk & Karla Kurokawa
Mural at the Victim Witness Building/ Maui County Children’s Peace Center located at 2103 Wells Street, Wailuku
NOTE: Out of respect for work that is done within the building, the public is asked not to directly approach the site.
“This is going to be the first place where we feel healing can begin for the child, after they have told of a most horrific or unimaginable event that has happened to them,” says Ruth Mori of the County Victim Witness Assistance Division.
Inspired by ʻōlelo noʻeau: He lei poina 'ole ke keiki (A lei never forgotten is the beloved child) - and - by a second proverb which originates from the Japanese community: Nana korobi ya oki (fall down seven times stand up eight).
Artist Statement: A few things have lead me to this title. One is having the opportunity to listen to some of the interviews and then speaking with some of the staff of 2103 Wells. Also reflecting on my own experience of painting this mural through the wind and rain and our journey of going though this process as a team for over a year. I wanted a one-word title that could embody the entire process as well as outlook of the of the artwork and the work that is being done in the building itself. “Ho’omau” translates to persistence, perseverance, and renewal. To continue, to perpetuate. Never give up.
Further, the daruma is a Japanese folk toy that is made of paper mache and has a weighted bottom. It is a common sight to see one with a Maneki Neko (Luck Cat) in Hawai'i. Because of a weighted bottom, the daruma can be pushed over and will prop right back up to its standing position. This ability to always stand back up has made the daruma a symbol of determination and persistence. There is a Japanese proverb that sometimes accompanies the daruma, "Nana korobi ya oki", which translates to, "fall down seven times stand up eight." We can overcome and endure...never give up!
I believe some of the best public art are collaborations between the community and artist. Art that is able to communicate and connect with the community can make some of the biggest impacts.
Working together with the Small Town Big Art program I was able to have conversations with Wailuku students and later with County staff that is housed in the 2103 Wells Street building. It is through these conversations that I learned of the responsibility of the Victim Witness Assistance Division and what they do for our community.
I decided to depict a child that holds a blooming 'Ōhi'a plant with care. Along with an image of the critically endangered Kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill) in flight. Both the Kiwikiu and the 'Ōhi'a plant are facing their own struggles for survival on our island. The Kiwikiu has various environmental challenges and the 'Ōhi'a is being threatened with a devastating fungus. Many of our Native Hawaiian species need our help, compassion and support to continue to thrive. My intent is for this imagery to portray a feeling of hope and nurturing for Keiki and others in need of assistance.
The goal for this mural is to inspire our community to care for one another and to lend a helping hand when it may be needed.
Artist Statement: A few things have lead me to this title. One is having the opportunity to listen to some of the interviews and then speaking with some of the staff of 2103 Wells. Also reflecting on my own experience of painting this mural through the wind and rain and our journey of going though this process as a team for over a year. I wanted a one-word title that could embody the entire process as well as outlook of the of the artwork and the work that is being done in the building itself. “Ho’omau” translates to persistence, perseverance, and renewal. To continue, to perpetuate. Never give up.
Further, the daruma is a Japanese folk toy that is made of paper mache and has a weighted bottom. It is a common sight to see one with a Maneki Neko (Luck Cat) in Hawai'i. Because of a weighted bottom, the daruma can be pushed over and will prop right back up to its standing position. This ability to always stand back up has made the daruma a symbol of determination and persistence. There is a Japanese proverb that sometimes accompanies the daruma, "Nana korobi ya oki", which translates to, "fall down seven times stand up eight." We can overcome and endure...never give up!
I believe some of the best public art are collaborations between the community and artist. Art that is able to communicate and connect with the community can make some of the biggest impacts.
Working together with the Small Town Big Art program I was able to have conversations with Wailuku students and later with County staff that is housed in the 2103 Wells Street building. It is through these conversations that I learned of the responsibility of the Victim Witness Assistance Division and what they do for our community.
I decided to depict a child that holds a blooming 'Ōhi'a plant with care. Along with an image of the critically endangered Kiwikiu (Maui Parrotbill) in flight. Both the Kiwikiu and the 'Ōhi'a plant are facing their own struggles for survival on our island. The Kiwikiu has various environmental challenges and the 'Ōhi'a is being threatened with a devastating fungus. Many of our Native Hawaiian species need our help, compassion and support to continue to thrive. My intent is for this imagery to portray a feeling of hope and nurturing for Keiki and others in need of assistance.
The goal for this mural is to inspire our community to care for one another and to lend a helping hand when it may be needed.
Behind the scenes with ST*BA as Sissy, Kirk and Kelly talk a bit about the process, evolution and potential of the most recent public art project for Wailuku. Click to listen in.
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In a 2019 ST*BA application, Philadelphia-based muralist Ben Volta proposed two separate working trips to Wailuku; one to workshop a Hawaiian proverb with local residents that would be selected in collaboration with SMALL TOWN * BIG ART and another to install a mural inspired by this work. The team recruited local artist Kirk Kurokawa to act as a Maui-based connection point and to collaborate on the design. The onset of the global pandemic resulted in Ben having to step away from the project and Kirk took the lead in continued conversations with public offices, students and the ST*BA team to develop the piece. Inspired by 300 sketches created in February 2020 by the sixth grade class of Iao Intermediate School and by conversations with those working to develop the Maui County Children’s Peace Center, which will include various agencies and help children who are victims of abuse, Kirk's piece will be completed by April 1, 2021 in acknowledgement of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
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Photos by Sean Hower
MORE:
MORE:
- New mural in Wailuku aims to spread awareness about child abuse prevention (Hawaii News Now)
- Blessing Held for New Wailuku Mural at Victim Witness Building (Maui Now April 5, 2021)
- Kurokawa Mural (The Maui News, March 19, 2021)
- Small Town * Big Art Presents Installation of New Mural in Wailuku with Local Artist Kirk Kurokawa (Maui Now, March 17, with photos by Sean Hower)
- Press Release and Blog: ST*BA Presents Kirk Kurokawa (March 15, 2021)
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KIRK KUROKAWA: Kirk Kurokawa was born and raised on Maui. He received a BFA with distinction in Illustration from the California College of Arts and Crafts. In 2001, he returned home to Maui, became a self-taught oil painter and pursued his dream of becoming a fine artist. Kurokawa’s paintings focus predominantly on the "simple, everyday life moments" and have been showcased in various exhibitions throughout the state. Although he often paints the native birds, flowers and locals of Hawaii, he is best known for his portraiture, He has been in every installment of the Schaefer Portrait Challenge, and was awarded the Juror’s Choice Award in 2006, and the People's Choice Award in 2015. He is also the first and only native Hawaiian to paint the official Portrait of the Governor of the State of Hawaii.
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MAHALO:Rowena Dagdag-Andaya & Girl Scout Troop #162 from St. Anthony Church
Dr. Fern Duvall, Department of Land & Natural Resources' Division of Forestry & Wildlife and Native Nursery Sean Hower Kīpuka Olowalu: Duane Sparkman and ‘Ua (Aloha Maji) Lindsey Andrew Martin, Prosecuting Attorney Ruth Mori of the County Victim Witness Assistance Division Alan Takitani & Miguel Castaneda Todd Perkins, Hawaii Video Memories Mike Rose, Iao Intermediate School Kim Thayer, Mauna Kahālāwai Ben & Eilish Volta |