Kapa‘a shopping center features work of local photographer, honors local halau

Kauai Village shopping center in Kapa‘a has been transformed into the island’s largest outdoor art gallery. Dozens of images have been hung in store windows – many of which span multiple panes and stretch several feet in diameter – depicting hula halau from Kaua‘i and San Diego, as well as the Garden Island’s raw natural beauty.

Representatives of the shopping complex stated the project is about evoking a sense of place.

“This is about more than just beautifying the property,” said one Kauai Village management representative. “This is our way of honoring the host culture and highlighting the unique qualities that make Kaua‘i such an amazing place. And to be able to share this with both visitors and locals on this immense scale is special.”

The images are the work of Ken Posney, a Kaua‘i photographer who specializes in capturing hula dancing. Many of the photographs depict members of Kaua‘i’s Halau ‘O Hali‘ileo performing along Kaua‘i’s shoreline while others depict San Diego-based Halau ‘O Pualani, Halau ‘O Na Ali‘i and Ka Lei Aloha ‘O Hula.

While art of this magnitude would normally cost a commercial center thousands of dollars to obtain, Posney provided the imagery at no charge.

“I viewed this as an opportunity to pay my respect to the halau that have helped me to establish myself and my path,” said Posney. “The halau gave their time so I could create something they would be proud to share and the process brought halau and kumu together to share their knowledge.”

Posney said he hopes to host an art auction on the site in April to raise funds for the halau featured in the photographs.

“Hula halau typically rely on fundraisers to keep their studios open. Here on Kaua‘i, Halau ‘O Hali‘ileo had to close its studio for lack of funds. It’s a loss. This auction is a way for me to give back to the halau who have helped me to make my photographs.”

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(Source: Todd A. Vines, Gilbert and Associates)