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| Herb Kane's Punalu`u Bay Painting was stolen from the ruins of the museum but recreated by the artist. |
Along with Volcano architect Boone Morrison, Kane designed the old museum and restaurant at Sea Mountain Resort at Punalu‘u. The museum was home to his nine foot tall by 22 feet wide Punalu‘u Bay mural that depicted ancient days at the black sand beach and pond; a chief sailing into shore on a double-hulled canoe; the village people at work; and the Kane‘ele‘ele Heiau. Though the museum closed after a tidal wave in 1975 and it fell into disrepair, the painting was often visited by locals and their guests and remained in tact in the rubble.
In 2005, however, someone sawed the mural into pieces and carried it away. Though detectives were hired and awards offered, no one has come forward to reveal the location of the Punalu‘u Bay mural.
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| Herb Kane |
As a result, in May of 2007 Herb Kane revealed a new original painting of the same Punalu‘u Bay mural – this time on canvas. Prints of Punalu‘u Bay have been made and are on display in homes and in public places.
During his long career, Herb Kane created illustrations for National Geographic Magazine, and for postage stamps in the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and French Polynesia. His paintings hang in the Four Seasons Resort at Hualalai and many other locations throughout the Pacific.
Kane also helped design the Hokule‘a sailing canoe and was deeply involved with the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
Herb Kane grew up in Waipio Valley and Hilo, served in the Navy, and received a Masters Degree from Chicago Art Institute. A skilled illustrator, he worked for advertising agencies on the mainland before moving back to Hawai‘i. He lived in Kona until his very last day, which was the birthday of the first launching of his beloved Hokule‘a sailing canoe.
Dignitaries from Mayor Billy Kenoi to Sen. Dan Akaka and Sen. Dan Inouye praised Kane for a lifetime of public service through the arts.
A SMALL INCREASE IN ELECTRIC RATES IN Hawai‘i, O‘ahu and Maui counties to help pay for the ‘Aina Koa Pono’s proposed biodiesel refinery near Pahala has been rejected by the state Public Utilities Commission. In its ruling, the PUC said that it could not approve Hawaiian Electric Company charging customers in O‘ahu and Maui counties for the biofuels used only here, even though the plan is to expand to other islands. ‘Aina Koa Pono partner Kenton Eldridge said yesterday that his team is moving ahead with their plans to gain approvals for the project. The PUC will consider other aspects of the contract between HECO and ‘Aina Koa Pono. ‘Aina Koa Pono President Melvin Chiogioji told Pacific Business News that his hui could renegotiate the HECO contract so that Hawai’i county residents would not suffer from large electric bill hikes to help pay for the proposed biofuels farm and refinery.
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Non-union members have been responding to trouble calls during the strike on the Big Island. |
A STATE BUDGET OF $10.9 BILLION a year was passed by the state House of Representatives Finance Committee yesterday and some tax increases are riding along with the measure to help makeup for a shortfall. The legislature and governor declined to increase the 4 percent excise tax but would make the state’s hefty liquor tax even higher. Taxes on soda and other sugary drinks were turned down. For the first time, pension income would be taxed for the wealthy. Liquor taxes would go up 20 percent and tax exemptions would end for airlines and some other businesses. Negotiations are also underway for a 5 percent reduction in the cost of state labor. However, the Gov. Neil Abercrombie is ending all state furlough days for government workers. The budget goes to the full House next week and then on to the state Senate.
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| Thermal image of a channelized lava flow yesterday at Kilauea Volcano, courtesy of Hawaiian Volcanoes Observatory. |
SEN. GIL KAHELE AND REP. BOB HERKES are coming to Ocean View Community Center this Saturday at 4 p.m. for a talk story session. Everyone is invited to attend to find out how their initiatives have fared during the current legislative session.
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| Rion Schmidt |
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| Katy Rexford |
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| Alyssa Bivings |