Ohi'a Lehua

Hawaii Walls, USA
Date: September 2024

This artwork is inspired by the legend of Ohia and Lehua, Ohia and Lehua were two lovers in ancient Hawaiian mythology. Ohia was a handsome young warrior, and Lehua was a beautiful woman. Their love was strong, and they were inseparable. However, their story took a tragic turn when the goddess Pele, the fiery volcanic goddess known for her temper, became infatuated with Ohia. When Ohia rejected Pele's marriage proposal because of his love for Lehua, Pele's rage & jealousy led her to transform Ohia into a twisted, gnarled tree. Distraught and heartbroken, Lehua pleaded with the gods to reunite her with her lover. Moved by her sorrow, the gods transformed Lehua into a beautiful red flower and placed her on the Ohia tree, so they could be together forever. The legend holds that whenever a Lehua flower is plucked from the tree, it rains, symbolizing the tears of the lovers being separated once again.

This legend not only explains the origins of the Ohia tree and Lehua flowers but also connects deeply with the natural elements and the emotional interplay between humans and nature in Hawaiian culture. The Ohia tree’s ability to thrive on fresh lava and the Lehua flower’s vibrant red hues reflect resilience and renewal—themes central to this artwork and Hawaiian culture. Using natural elements like fire, water, and flora, the piece explores the bond between human emotions and the environment, capturing the duality of passion and grief, destruction and growth.