14’ x 18’ x 18’ in granite and lava rock

Aina … the sculpture hewn from granite the color of polished warm sand. It is a cycle of the elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, those very elements that continuously shape all that surrounds us. Inspired by the classic Hawaiian ring poi pounder, pohaku ku’i ai puka, this monumental ten ton arch floats on the surging waters that erupt around its three ton, black and red granite bowl or papa ku’iai and cascade down the lava rock he’eau that surrounds it. Cutting across the top of the ring is the carved profile of the islands surrounded by a moat of water that spills on either side down the roughly textured channels that flair to its base reminding us of Hawaii’s many stunning waterfalls. Within the center of the arch which defines the element of Air there is a central flowing well of Water that overflows on either side in textured flaring channels into the bowl. Emerging from the center of this well and framed by the arch of granite burns the element of Fire.

Commissioned by the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki, Hawai’i

Completed in December, 2008

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