To Hawaiians, the top of Mauna Kea is the pinnacle of prayer. A dormant shield volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii, Mauna Kea rises 13,796 feet above sea level, making it the highest point in the Pacific Basin. When measured from sea floor to summit, it’s the tallest mountain in the world– 4,000 feet taller than Mt. Everest. Mauna Kea is also the only tropical alpine desert in the world. For these reasons, advocates for cultural and environmental conservation have been challenging the proposal of a new 30 meter telescope on its summit.
The TMT Corporation plans to build a telescope that–at 34,000 square feet and 18 stories tall–would be the largest ever installed on Mauna Kea and the second largest in the world. This, of course, has brought a lot of controversy.
I’ve been watching the progress of these events closely and I’ve been so touched by the grief, the reverence and the courage of Hawaiians and protesters that have gathered to let their voices be heard.
The police had to arrest an elder that was protesting peacefully but before he did, he place his forehead on the elder’s forehead and express his respect to him. This was so touching to me and to many people.
This event sparked and inspired me deeply to create two new glass pieces:
Ku and Hina
Ku vessel – 11″ h x 10″ w
Blown – Carved – Glass
Ancient Hawaii was a mythic land with frightening tiki masked warriors and many unique and interesting gods and legends.
One of the main ancient Gods that Hawaiians prayed to was Ku, the ancient tiki god of war and protection, the warrior .
The goddess Hina was Ku’s wife. They, together suggest the complementary dualism of “war and peace”.
Hina vessel – 13″ h x 8.5″ w
Blown – Carved – Glass
