Kelley Fitzgerald

http://kelleyf.com/

Keiki O Ka ‘Aina, Ulupo Heiau 30”x24”x1.5”
Keiki O Ka ‘Aina, Ulupo Heiau 30”x24”x1.5”

The Hawaiian term “Keiki O Ka ‘Aina” came to me when I painted this piece. On the day I painted my mini-studies at Ulupo Heiau, Kaleo (wearing the red shirt and blue hat), happened to be there teaching two adorable little boys in red boots how to care for the taro. It was very touching for me to see Kaleo passing on the legacy of living in harmony with nature to our younger generation. I hope this painting fills the hearts of the viewers with a sense Love for our future generations and a deep sense of connection to nature and the Hawaiian culture.

“Keiki O Ka ‘Aina” literally means, “children of the land.” but this term also has a deeper meaning to the Hawaiian culture. The word “Aina” represents the land which provided ancient Hawaiians with everything they needed. They not only depended on the land for all of its practical reasons, but they had great spiritual connection, reverence, and respect for the land. The ancient Hawaiians had a reciprocal relationship with the land in which the land would provide for them and they would care for the land in return.