Hamana Kalili

This piece was commissioned by the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii. The sculpture is in recognition of Hamana Kalili, the originator of the shaka sign owing to losing his three middle fingers in an industrial accident. He is famous and remembered in Hawaii for his work in the community and setting up the Hukilau Lu’au, the precursor to the Polynesian Cultural Center.
The timeline for this piece was extremely tight. I was given 3 months to sculpt, cast, ship and install the piece in Hawaii. This cut my actual clay work time down to 4 weeks. To have it sculpting and delivered in that time was close to a miracle! It was most satisfying because I love Laie and the time I spent there as a student and a newly married couple. I also worked at the PCC in the Maori village carving hut.