He lupe hōkū

kapa, hau, ‘ohe, ‘alae, ‘ōlena, ma‘o, ‘uki‘uki

My recent focus on various plants of Hawaiʻi such as wauke, and their biological genealogy and mo‘olelo connecting Hawai‘i to East Asia, explores the depth of materiality and mentorship through plant materials. How are artistic practices and protocols shaped by plants? Who is reflected through this material and why? Growing up in Hawaiʻi as a non-Hawaiian, the genealogy of my kumu in both hula and hana no‘eau are integral in my understanding and experience of life and artistic practice. Who are your Kumu?