Name/Title
Hawaiian Painting - Kauna’oaEntry/Object ID
MK_1235Description
This monumental painting, entitled Kauna‘oa, was commissioned for the reopening of the Copper Bar at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel in 2015. Created by native Hawaiian artist Solomon Robert Nui Enos, the mural spans four canvases, each completed on-site, allowing guests to witness his creative process firsthand.
This mural is an abstract and vibrant representation of Kauna‘oa — also known as the Hawaiian dodder or beach orphan vine — a native plant of the Hawaiian Islands, recognized for its striking presence along coastal areas. Traditionally, kauna‘oa has been valued for its use in lei making and for its medicinal properties, symbolizing the deep connection between the Hawaiian people and their natural environment.
The man who created the peice, more commonly known simply as Solomon Enos, is a celebrated artist and illustrator who was born and raised in Makaha Valley of O‘ahu. With over three decades of experience across diverse media, his art blends contemporary and traditional styles, often exploring themes of collective consciousness, ancestry, identity, and humanity’s relationship with the planet, all through the lens of his native Hawaiian heritage.
This mural stands as a testament to Enos’s aspirational vision and his commitment to honoring Hawaiian culture, environment, and storytelling through art.Made/Created
Place
State/Province
Hawai'iCountry
U.S.A.Continent
North AmericaLocation
Room
Copper BarFloor
Promenade LevelBuilding
Main Tower