Art from the Hawaiian heart created by Kohala artist, Reuben Luke Bumanglag, whose work is known as The Art Of Kohala. His paintings reflect the true essence of the life-style of the Big Island of Hawaii and forgotten scenes of the beautiful Kohala Coast. Among his work are rare scenes of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel's earlier days. Employed for many years at the hotel he had a photographic memory and would sketch various scenes in his mind and do the paintings at his Kohala home. His work is available as Originals, Limited Edition, and Open Edition Prints.
No other art compares to this collection, drawn and guided by the aloha spirit and a kama`aina heart. His artwork depicts a keen sense of environment special to Kohala's rich Hawaiian history and culture. His paintings tell a story of places once accessible by kama`aina for centuries--many no longer accessible due to urbanization or have since been destroyed or neglected. Such art will be remembered and cherished by generations long after the tides of change have consumed the places that Islanders call their homeland. As one collector puts it: "His art captures what some day may never be."
Introduction - There are many experienced artists residing in Hawai`i and any artist from anywhere can paint Hawai`i's beauty. However, only few can claim to be from the `Aina--from the land; from birth. Reuben b is such a person. All of his paintings have a significant cultural and historical story line. His work is admired by residents, former residents, and others longing for a keepsake of a special Hawaiian experience.
His Life - Reuben was born on the Big Island in November 1942 and was christened Reuben Luke Bumanglag. As a youngster, he was raised in the small sugar plantation town of Hakalau on the Hamakua Coast. He moved to Honolulu and later moved back to the Big Island and settled in the plantation town of Kapa`au, Kohala. There, he raised his family and took up painting and was self-taught.
The sugar plantation mills have since closed and passed into time like many of the others that dotted the Big Island. However, the memories and images of growing up in such an environment continued to guide his sense of expression. He says he is "still making daily discoveries" and hopes "that it will bring not only pleasure, awareness and Aloha toward others, but also inspire malama (care) and kuleana (responsibility) to our land."
His Work - His work includes Original Oil On Canvass, Acrylic, and Watercolors. There is also available select Limited Edition and Open Edition Prints. For those who are looking for a special Hawaiian art form will find his art historical, relevant, and uniquely Hawaiian. His depiction of coastal life reflects a relationships with nature, people, and time. The art is engaging, colorful, and in many ways prophetic. It arouses a consciousness and realization that Kohala's beauty and access to open spaces are being challenged like never before. His Art Of Kohala series is that consciousness.
Reuben's first public Hawaiian art show was in 1981 at Waipio Woodworks. Over 30 Hawaiian paintings were purchased by Hawaiian art enthusiasts. Today, Hawaiian art collectors continue to seek his work for which the artist says "I am very thankful." His art documents many of the Kohala landmarks, some of which are no longer standing, have been replaced, or no longer accessible due to industrial development, urbanization, or neglect.
Many of his art are in private collections. To find out if any of the following works of art are still available, please contact us.
If they aren't available as originals, they might be available as prints.
Some of the artwork in the videos below are held in private collections and no longer available.
Please check with us as to what is available for sale. Mahalo!
THE ART OF KOHALA
P.O. Box 441
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745 E-mail Us 808.327.9792
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No other art compares to this collection, drawn and guided by the aloha spirit and a kama`aina heart. His artwork depicts a keen sense of environment special to Kohala's rich Hawaiian history and culture. His paintings tell a story of places once accessible by kama`aina for centuries--many no longer accessible due to urbanization or have since been destroyed or neglected. Such art will be remembered and cherished by generations long after the tides of change have consumed the places that Islanders call their homeland. As one collector puts it: "His art captures what some day may never be."
