Reincarnated Sounds of Hawaii - Kaona Olelo Hawaii

Hawaii is the only state in the U.S. that has its own official language. Its intrinsically minimalist nature offers only 12 distinct sounds. Formerly considered an endangered language, and after being officially banned, it now shows signs of revival. Painted in memory of IZ

Kamakawiwo, a world-renowned Hawaiian musician and singer-songwriter who died at the age 38, Reincarnated sounds of Hawaii is a portrait of IZ’s enduring presence.

His likeness is depicted in the flowers and sea shells painted on the surface of Koa wood. Koa, which means bold, fearless, warrior, is also analogous to IZ’s physical stature; Koa is Hawaii’s largest tree. Koa wood is also emblematic of the Hawaiian culture, used for the production surfboards and ukuleles.

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© 2010, acrylic on Acacia Koa wood, 24” x 27.5” x 2.5”