Revisiting A Great Hawaiian Woman

I spent last weekend on Hawaii island as part of a retreat for an indigenous and native Hawaiian women in business incubator program. As an added blessing before the retreat started - I was able to go back and see the mural I did last year for Ironman. 

The mural is in Kailua Kona right next to Hulihee Palace. I painted it with my friend Pualena and she was also there with me to visit it again. The painting is of Princess Ruth Keelikolani as she is resting at Hulihee Palace. In preparing for the mural I learned about what an advocate Princess Ruth was for Hawaiian language and culture. Many Hawaiians attributed her prayers, alii bloodline, and offerings to Pele as the reason the lava stopped before destroying Hilo town in 1880/1881. This is just one of the many stories written about her. She truly was an alii and she led her people with great love and generosity.

Seeing it again reminded me of all those stories. The mural was a little scratched up and someone had stuck a piece of chewed gum on it, but other than that it was still a strong image of a great Hawaiian woman.