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Abstract

In the Hawaiian tradition, ‘a’ali‘i (a blooming plant; chief or chiefess) is used metaphorically to model strength and mana (sacred power), resiliency, and flexibility of ‘wāhine (women). ‘A’ali‘i is an Indigenous plant to the Hawaiian Islands that can survive challenging environments and elemental forces, blooming into a beautiful, helpful resource. Similarly, Kānaka ‘wāhine (Native Hawaiian women) are ever emerging culturally, strengthening this metaphor of ‘a’ali’i through the passing down of mo‘olelo (stories) to younger generations. In doing so, they perform their kuleana (obligation) to the ‘āina (land; mother; that which feeds). This article examines how Kānaka ‘wāhine artists use their work in multimedia to illustrate a struggle of the past to influence a political and socioeconomical awakening among younger generations. Using narrative inquiry, portraiture, and ‘Ōiwi (Native Hawaiian) methodologies, a culturally grounded framework emerges to contextualize the work of a Kanaka wahine artist from Waiāhole. Keywords art, kalo, mana, mo‘olelo, ōiwi, wahine, Waiāhole.

Keywords

art kalo mana mo‘olelo Waiahole

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Voices From Within: Exploring Wahine Mana Through the Visual Medium

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