Enduring Wiliwili Show

Andrea Pro

345-0907

 NEWS RELEASE- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NOVEMBER 2015

“The Enduring Wiliwili” Exhibits at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel

Artists’ Reception Opens Exhibit on November 13th

On a summer morning two years ago, the Pacific Island Printmakers were introduced to a few of the remaining wild wiliwili trees located in the forest preserve supported by the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative.  These trees have endured two hundred years of stress as a result of the voracious appetites of cattle, sheep and goats. What was once a flourishing forest ecosystem populated with an extensive variety of vines, shrubs, trees, birds and insects dwindled to a handful of stately wiliwili standing in the arid and stark landscape. It is estimated that in all of Hawaii only about 1000 wiliwili are left, making it a highly endangered tree. The forest is making a comeback. Thanks to the planting efforts of the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative and their volunteers, the wiliwili trees are now surrounded by a variety of young native plants that are growing into a dry forest ecosystem.

In this collaboration with the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative, The Pacific Island Printmakers immersed themselves in learning about the biology of the tree, the larger context of dry forest ecosystem and it’s cultural significance. Through the process of sketching, asking questions and gathering impressions, each artist offered their unique expression of the tree through the medium of printmaking. The Pacific Island Printmakers include John McCaskill, Margaret Barnaby, Andrea Pro, Lisa Louise Adams and Kathy Molina.

The public is invited to an artists’ reception on Friday, November 13 from 5 pm to 7 pm in the Coast Grille at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel located at 62-100 Kauna’oa Dr. The exhibit will show through February 12, 2016.  A portion of the proceeds from art sales will benefit the Waikoloa Dry Forest Initiative. Call John McCaskill at 345-6200 for more information.