Donald Lipski

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Art-in- Transit Program

For the Leeward Community College Station in Pearl City, Hawaii artist Donald Lipski created a suspended sculpture entitled He Kauhulu ‘Anae (A Gathering of Mullets) that speaks to the history of this place.  The historical walled loko i’a (fishponds) of Hawai’i were a stunning technological achievement unmatched throughout Oceania.  This sculpture is inspired by the tradition of Maihea, who lived in Waimalu.  He evoked the gods daily for continued prosperity of his cultivated crops.  Gods Kāne and Kanaloa came and stood at the top of Hā’upu, a low hill, now the area of Leeward Community College.  Looking towards ‘Ewa at the adjacent lowlands and loko i’a, Kāne offered a chant to name and bless the surrounding sustainable resources: “… May the loko i’a down at Waiawa be as the stars in the sky above… The ‘anae are at Kuhialoko…” 

Inspired by this Lipski has created a star-studded star of mullet fish.