Akakū Maui Community Mediaʻs March salon, on Thursday March 20th, will feature renown sculptor and painter, Dale Zarrella. Dale will discuss his recent artwork through his partnership with Hawaiiʻs TreeCovery.

 

Dale started sculpting at 9 years old with a first commission at only eighteen. He is famous for his bronze sculpture of Saint Damien of Molokai and a pantheon of Hawaiian Gods, Goddesses, Sea Turtles and Mermaids.Dale is a Fairmont Kea Lani artist in residence where the hotel exhibits his sculptural work. His partnership with TreeCovery helps provide free trees for people impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires, through sculpture sales created from burned and recovered Lahaina trees. Dale is currently working on 102 sculptures in memory of each of the victims lost in the Lahaina fire. This current work exhibits hope, resilience and the strength of the people of Maui. He will share video of some of his works.

 

Duane Sparkman, Founder and President of TreeCovery, will join Dale to talk about the partnership and itʻs impact on Lahainaʻs tree recovery. His organizations mission is ʻto grow trees for future generations across the Hawaiian Islandsʻ. Duane has worked for multiple organizations including volunteer work with Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership, East Maui Watershed Partnership, Coral Reef Alliance, West Maui Watershed Partnership, Hawai’i Island Land Trust, Pu’u Kukui Watershed Preserve, and Sierra Club Maui Chapter. Duane is highly regarded for his work in sustainable organic landscaping and organic farming practices. TreeCovery Board member Rodger May will also be in attendance.

 

Akakū Upstairs salons are offered on the third Thursday of each month in Suite 204. The event is free, but registration is required. Doors open at 5:30pm with the salon starting promptly at 6pm and ending at 7:30pm. Seating is limited! Register at akaku.org, https://bit.ly/ZarrellaSalon or call 808-871-5554.

 

Akakū Upstairs is a community outreach program designed to bring Maui Nui together in person to share, learn, and be inspired by local stories, elevating community and conversation.