Behind the Kai Palaoa (sea whale) Design

At the Foundation’s annual Leadership Awards Dinner on June 3, 2008, artist Sig Zane’s Kai Palaoa (sea whale) design was unveiled in celebration of the International Year of the Reef.  Featured in a shirt worn by Daniel Ho who was performing his original composition also entitled Kai Palaoa, a portion of the proceeds from sale of Sig Zane’s Kai Palaoa collection will go to the Foundation in support of ocean conservation and education initiatives in the region.

Inspired by history and nature, the Kai Palaoa design combines the elements of the Hawaiian language with imagery of ocean waves and coral reefs. 

“Where waves meet at one place because of some rise on the sea bottom – or mass of coral heads perhaps – is called a pu`ao and where they break constantly at coral heads they are called nalu kō`akā…  The distinct types of waves found in our ocean all have their own names! - Kamakau (Na Po`e Kahiko)

“ In this offering to recognize the Year of the Coral Reef, I want to embellish the thought process.  Beginning with the Wa `akahi, the First Period of Kumulipo, we take the words expressing the creation of our coral…  In my handwriting, we illustrate through words the genius of our forefathers.

“The second part of the design is be symbolized by an early art form, `ohe kapala.  The nalu and moku are the imagery that shall serve as life; no other manifestation will be allowed in this rendition.  The waves, on the building moku, and the `ako`ako`a…

“In the big picture, we view our reef from the heavens and we see the action of the waves gathering at the reef...  The design is the activity.”  Sig Zane

Visit Sig Zane’s collection at www.sigzane.com and click on the Kai Palaoa Collection at the top left!  New items are added weekly.