Mālama Wao Akua 2018 Award Winners Announced

Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center in collaboration with East Maui Watershed Partnership presents Mālama Wao Akua (Caring for the Realm of the Gods) – a juried art exhibition celebrating the native species of Maui Nui (Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Kahoʻolawe).

This unique exhibition opened to the public on Sept. 14 and will remain in the Hui’s historic gallery space through Nov. 10 with free admission between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. This exhibition is generously sponsored by Aloha Recycling.

This year’s award winners include:

Juror’s Choice (Dr. Fern Duvall) – Kū lana wao by Hōaka Reyes
Honorable Mention (Dr. Fern Duvall) – Ode to Connie (Soft Geometry) by Christine Haines
Juror’s Choice (Mina Elison) – Au ʻāpaʻapaʻa – passing of much time on a piece of land by Denby Freeland
Honorable Mention (Mina Elison) – Memories of the Grove by Roberta Ann Weisenburg
Juror’s Choice Elementary School – Red Jewel by Jai Manley
Juror’s Choice Middle School – Aeʻo by Kira Gomez
Juror’s Choice High School – Pōhinahina by Heather Osterstock
Conservation at Work – Forest First by Melissa Bruck
Rarest Find – Kanaloa by Benjamin Rachunas
Conservation Professional – ʻIʻiwi Fights Back by Byron Stevens

Jurors were Dr. Fern Duvall II, Maui Nui Program Manager for DLNR/DOFAW Native Ecosystems Protection & Management and Mina Elison, Curator at Kona Historical Society. Selected artwork successfully shares knowledge of Maui County’s watersheds and native species with others in a meaningful way and includes originality of concept, creativity, technique, professionalism, and presentation.

Both organizations invite the public to view this work for themselves and also to vote for the “People’s Choice Award” in the gallery. The community is also invited to learn more about Maui’s conservation efforts from leading experts during the exhibition’s “Talk Story” Thursdays. Talks will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Hui gallery on the following dates:

• Oct. 4: Hank Oppenheimer, Maui Nui Plant Extinction Prevention Coordinator
• Oct. 18: Nicole Davis, Maui Nui Marine Mammal Response Coordinator
• Nov. 1: Allison Borell, Community Outreach and Education Liaison for East Maui Watershed Partnership and Field Staff

Hui Noʻeau is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, community-based, visual arts education organization offering open access to quality visual arts instruction by professional teaching artists and arts opportunities through year round youth and adult art classes, exhibitions, outreach programs, community art events, and more. The Hui is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with free admission. Hui Noʻeau’s Exhibition Program is made possible with support from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

East Maui Watershed Partnership is committed to protecting the islands’ fresh water source and native rainforest health. The East Maui watershed produces over 60 billion gallons of water a year and is home to many rare and endangered species. These watersheds represent the island’s source of water, culture and biodiversity.

Juror’s Choice (Dr. Fern Duvall) – Kū lana wao by Hōaka Reyes

Honorable Mention (Dr. Fern Duvall) – Ode to Connie (Soft Geometry) by Christine Haines

Juror’s Choice (Mina Elison) – Au ʻāpaʻapaʻa – passing of much time on a piece of land by Denby Freeland

Honorable Mention (Mina Elison) – Memories of the Grove by Roberta Ann Weisenburg

Juror’s Choice Elementary School – Red Jewel by Jai Manley

Juror’s Choice Middle School – Aeʻo by Kira Gomez

Juror’s Choice High School – Pōhinahina by Heather Osterstock

Conservation at Work – Forest First by Melissa Bruck

Rarest Find – Kanaloa by Benjamin Rachunas

Conservation Professional – ʻIʻiwi Fights Back by Byron Stevens