Cast bronze on granite base
7″ x 13″ x 6″ high
Edition of two cast 2005
$9,000
Portrait of Haloa Naka, the first-born son of Wakea the progenitor of the Hawaiian race. Haloa was stillborn and buried in a corner of the family compound where he returned to life as the first taro (Colocassia esculenta). Haloa is represented by the royal palaoa (whale-ivory ornament) turning into taro leaves. Traditional kepakepa (zigzag) and poho (peg) mends on one side of the piece represent Haloa’s transformation. The bronze kuahu, (temple platform that gods are traditionally displayed on) base carries this legend in raised relief: Haloa Naka ka hiapo a Wakea i ala hou e ola i ka makualii kalo (Haloa Naka, first-born of Wakea, returned to life as the first taro).