Hanauma Bay Series by Masami Teraoka

There are many Japanese American artists that I am fond of and one of my favorite is painter, Masami Teraoka. I met him several years back at the U.H. art gallery at his Acending Chaos opening show. We also saw his opening show at the Catherine Art Gallery in San Francisco. I am especially moved by his Hanauma Bay series that wason display at the Robin Buntin Art Gallery along with the Ice Cream invading Japan series. His works have political undertones depicting current events from corruption in the Catholic Church, gay marriage, toxic foods, and fast foods becoming mainstream in Japan. The above Hanauma Bay print can be seen at the Hawaii State Art Museum as part of it's permanent collection. His art style follows the Ukiyo-e' Japanese woodblock prints. Classic Ukiyo-e' woodblock prints by masters such as Hokusai, Kuniyoshi, and Yoshitoshi, depict ordinary and fleeting moments. Teraoka is a modern day master using this style in his earlier paintings.

Cracked Seed Mural

On the backside of Keller Hall at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, there was this beautiful mural of cracked seeds in jars. With further observation, it was created by art students from 1981. Click here to see a close up of the signatures of those who have contributed to the painting.

Hands, Feet, Mouth, Toes and Ears

An art student at the University of Hawaii sculpted hands, toes, feet, mouths, and ears in an entire set of rocks that are used as a walkway for as part of the project to get a MFA. They were interesting to find and more interesting to find out about.

UPW Mural- Jean Charlot

The tile murals on the wall of the United Public Workers (UPW) Union's building is a creation by Jean Charlot the famous french painter. Although at first glance, I once thought it was created by Mexican painter Diego Rivera. Located in Kalihi on School Street, it is another one of Honolulu's little treasures for all to freely enjoy. It worth seeking out since it is a block or two and walking distance from the Bishop Museum. The art depicts hard labor as it recognizes blue collar workers who are usually the unsung heroes of the community. A bunch of young volunteers were laboring in the area by picking up trash, and they walked in between the mural and my shutter for this picture.

"White Sandy Beach"

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole or Bruddah Iz's statue is located outside of the Waianae Neighborhood Community Center on the west side of the island. He was one big Hawaiian with a gentle and kind spirit who was able to transcend his aloha in his music. My favorite Iz song is White Sandy Beach, click on the link to hear it on Youtube. His songs still give me goose bumps as if I'm hearing him sing live. Although he passed away in 1997, he remains in many of our hearts through his music and this statue can be seen on the right hand side while driving out to Makaha Valley. Click here to see the outtake photos.

Sun Disc

The sculpture outside of the downtown Bank of Hawaii titled, "Sun Disc" was created by Bernard Rosenthal of New York. Click here to see another view on facebook.

Horses Graze in Downtown Honolulu

Click here to see the outtake for today on facebook

Starbucks is located at every corner on earth and here they are with their green umbrellas across the way. Aside from grande lattes, venti mochas, and triple iced espresso, there are a couple of horses grazing across the street. Sculptures made by Deborah Butterfield boldly stand in a perfectly manicured lawn in front of the First Hawaiian Bank building. Public art by famous artists are everywhere to be found in downtown Honolulu.