Ka Ha‘ule ka Pouli (When the darkness falls) 27th from the series:‘Ike Ho‘omaopopo by artist: LeoHone
(When the darkness falls)
27th from the series:‘Ike Ho‘omaopopo
by artist: LeoHone
Her name is Charly. Charly ‘Ailana.
Her story is one of heartbreaking loss but also of perseverance and hope.
According to her Kumu Hula, Charly bravely danced her way through the aftermath of the devastating Lahaina Fire (2023) that destroyed her family home. Each week, her mother faithfully drove her to Kahului for hula and, in July of the following year, Charly was crowned 2024 Miss Keiki Hula.
Ua hula ‘oia. She danced.
The setting of the painting is Olowalu on Maui’s southern shore. Olowalu – birthplace of Charly’s great grandmother Hattie Ho’olulu Kuia (1923-2001), born now more than a century ago, mauka in a river, as was one Hawaiian custom back then. Olowalu –- just east of the fire ravaged town of Lahaina where so many people lost their homes — and so many people lost their lives.
In keeping with my effort to find a way to depict the influence or teaching that carries a culture forward, I have painted Charly’s mother Kim Ann Magno as the spirit figure to her left: her mother dances with her in the same H~lau. To Charly’s right, I have painted as a spirit figure her beloved Kumu Hula Nāpua Silva, Hālau Nā Lei Kaumaka o Uka, Waiohuli, Maui.
Ua hula ‘oia. She danced.
Charly. The meaning of the name itself carries connotations of strength and independence. With her strong Christian faith and inner strength and with her driving passion for hula, Charly danced her way through an all-encompassing darkness — through to the dawning of a new and brighter day.
I was moved to paint Charly along with her mom and her Kumu. I was so very deeply touched by her story of loss and her ultimate triumph.
Ua hula ‘oia. She danced.
– Leohone 2026
Artist Proofs – 52″ x 39″ – signed “LeoHone” and numbered 1/75 – 75/75
Edition A – 40″ x 30″ – signed “LeoHone” and numbered 1/288 -288/288
Edition B – 32″ x 24″ – signed “LeoHone” and numbered 1/288 -288/288