Wahinekuapu'u
Land Commission Award (LCA) 2459 was initially granted to K. Kawahinekuapuʻu. Records in the Hawaiʻi State Archives and the Hawaiian language newspaper 'Ka Hae Hawaii' indicate that Kawahinekuapuʻu was awarded licenses to sell ʻawa in “District 2, Waihee to Waikapu” in at least 1847, 1848, and 1857. Kawahinekuapuʻu was also appointed as a legislative committee member during the legislative convention on February 20, 1862; and, on February 27, 1862, Kawahinekuapuʻu was named Luna Hoʻomalu [Chairman] of this committee. On February 11, 1863, Kawahinekuapuʻu, along with Kahauolopua, was chosen as a Luna Kōkua [Lead Counselor] for the ʻAhahui Misionari o Wailuku [Missionary Society of Wailuku]. From probate listings in Hawaiian language newspapers of the time, K. Kawahinekuapuʻu is seen to have passed away in mid-1865.
BACKGROUND
Wailuku Town is currently undergoing a number of road and infrastructure improvements along with construction of the new four-level parking structure (the Wailuku Garage), which will provide much needed parking for Wailuku businesses and employees. Since the late 1990s, the County of Maui has been working to build a new parking structure to meet a large part of the parking demand in Wailuku Town. The Wailuku Garage has been designed with the capability to host events such as food-truck pods, farmer’s markets, festivals, and other outdoor gatherings.
The Wailuku Garage, is nestled behind the historic buildings on Market Street and shielded from street view by the contemporary buildings on Main Street and Church Street. The structure is to be bordered to the north by the future Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art, a Hawaiian cultural center.
While the typical parking garage is exclusively utilitarian, the County of Maui took a different approach with this facility. This parcel is right in the heart of the neighborhood and the blank-slate construction styles makes it an ideal space to implement sensitive public art and use the powers of design, art and culture to transform the space from just a garage into a venue for storytelling, celebration and community gathering.
In the coming months, we will release a call-to-artists to contribute to this transformation. The selected artist(s)/ artist team(s) are expected to have the ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, with the support of SMALL TOWN * BIG ART, during the development of a design for unique and engaging works of art. The artist(s)/artist team(s) will be tasked with developing site specific/ site responsive work(s) which need to be incorporated into the existing identified wall space. The final work(s) should serve as a visual landmark for the Wailuku Garage. All SMALL TOWN * BIG ART projects are meant to develop and promote the unique history, culture and community of Wailuku.
The Wailuku Garage, is nestled behind the historic buildings on Market Street and shielded from street view by the contemporary buildings on Main Street and Church Street. The structure is to be bordered to the north by the future Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art, a Hawaiian cultural center.
While the typical parking garage is exclusively utilitarian, the County of Maui took a different approach with this facility. This parcel is right in the heart of the neighborhood and the blank-slate construction styles makes it an ideal space to implement sensitive public art and use the powers of design, art and culture to transform the space from just a garage into a venue for storytelling, celebration and community gathering.
In the coming months, we will release a call-to-artists to contribute to this transformation. The selected artist(s)/ artist team(s) are expected to have the ability to communicate and collaborate with a variety of stakeholders, with the support of SMALL TOWN * BIG ART, during the development of a design for unique and engaging works of art. The artist(s)/artist team(s) will be tasked with developing site specific/ site responsive work(s) which need to be incorporated into the existing identified wall space. The final work(s) should serve as a visual landmark for the Wailuku Garage. All SMALL TOWN * BIG ART projects are meant to develop and promote the unique history, culture and community of Wailuku.
CONSTRUCTION
During the construction of the garage, iwi kūpuna were located on the project site. Working with the Maui Lana’i Island Burial Council and recognized cultural descendants of the area, the project plans were modified and the kūpuna have been preserved in place.
Prior to the kūpuna revealing themselves, the primary focus of Wailuku’s history had been it’s plantation era hey day. The presence of kūpuna brought to mind the many, many generations of Hawaiians that lived, loved, worked and celebrated in this storied place of abundance.
From this point, what began as an art project for the present community, shifted it’s intention towards a permanent and timeless installation to honor the perpetual connectedness of people and place throughout time.
Prior to the kūpuna revealing themselves, the primary focus of Wailuku’s history had been it’s plantation era hey day. The presence of kūpuna brought to mind the many, many generations of Hawaiians that lived, loved, worked and celebrated in this storied place of abundance.
From this point, what began as an art project for the present community, shifted it’s intention towards a permanent and timeless installation to honor the perpetual connectedness of people and place throughout time.
WHAT IS TO COME
This SMALL TOWN * BIG ART project page is an evolving resource where the community and interested artists can learn about the journey towards this coming work and listen to the stories of those that have been involved in the process. In the coming months, SMALL TOWN * BIG ART will be publishing an RFQ/ Request for Qualifications for an artist or artist team to collaborate with the community to develop this unique installation. This page will be updated as project developments are made.
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OPPORTUNITY: Wailuku Garage Exterior Wall Public Art
Description: There are four poured concrete, primed walls to choose from (E1 - E4), per the diagrams offered (click for PDF):
Projected Timeline: Call to Artists Released: TBD Application Deadline: 4-6 weeks after call-to-artists is posted Artist Selection/Contracting Complete By: 2 weeks after application deadline Additional Community Consultations: 2-3 weeks following contract execution Design Concepts Deadline: 1-2 weeks after community consultations Design Approval Complete By: 1-2 weeks after design concepts deadline Installation Deadline: 4-6 weeks following design approval |
Wall reference
Wall reference 2
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Theme: In cooperation with the State Historic Preservation Division, artwork will serve to honor iwi kūpuna (Native Hawaiian ancestral remains) discovered onsite. Upon selection by a community panel, the artist/s will collaborate with a minimum of three community consultants to create a design that is indicative of the place where the artwork will live.
Artists are encouraged to listen to three pre-recorded community consultations (ONE and TWO and THREE) prior to beginning your application, which offers a foundation of the community's expectations and intentions for this specific public art opportunity. These include:
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3/7/23 Community Consultation with Scott Fisher, Johanna Kamaunu and Dane Maxwell
3/28/23 Community Consultation with Hōkūlani Holt
3/31/23 Community Consultation with Noelani Ahia
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AERIAL PHOTOS OF THE SITE
COMING SOON
Please return to this page soon and/ or join our mailing list to receive information about application process, general requirements and artist selection.