Nov. 2 – Dec. 5, 2019
11/23, Saturday 7-9pm Reception w/Jonathan Canlas & Kamalei Alexander
*All proceeds will go to the Kahuku Bail Bond Fund.

@jonathancanlas
@kamaleialexander

Jonathan Canlas –
“On July 18th I had the day off. I had full intention of taking my kids to the pool and enjoying our summer here in Payson, UT. When I woke up that morning, my social media was riddled with images of HPD arresting Kupuna who protecting the discretion of Mauna Kea. I had seen this before when I went to Standing Rock back in 2016. If the HPD were arresting the Kupuna, I was afraid things were going to escalate rather quickly. I asked my wife if she’d be ok for me to hop on a plane to Big Island to go document what I was afraid would be the last days of the stand at Mauna Kea. She agreed, and within an hour of waking up, I had a flight booked for noon to head to the Big Island. I didn’t know anyone on the ground at the time, but thanks to social media and some friends from Hauula, I was able to connect with a friend of a friend named Ioane, who was one of the main medics up at Mauna Kea at the time. These images were taken La 7 & 8, or July 19th and 20th but mostly the 19th. I had full intention of shooting the full day on the 20th but due to Govoner Ige’s press conference, all trust had been thrown out the window and my presence, though the first day was completely welcome, the 20th was a totally different story. And of course, they were very hesitant with anyone they didn’t know with a camera there. The Kiai were already on edge. Each night I slept in my rental car, and was awakened around 2 am by other Kiai who thought the National Gaurd was coming into Puuhuluhulu to shut it down. Each were false alarms but it was very clear every one was waiting for the next move. The day of the 19th was one of the most amazing experiences of Aloha I’ve ever experienced. Just 2 days prior many of the Kupuna, who were back on the Mauna, had been arrested. Tear stained Kiai faces had been replaced with smiles, acts of Aloha, and the one thing that makes this movement unlike any other, anywhere, Kapu Aloha. There was hula, singing, cultural lessons, people seeing friends and family on the Mauna a complete opposite scene of the one that had taken place just 2 days prior. However, at 4 pm it all came to a screeching halt when they had held their own press conference to clear the accusations of drug use, drinking, and chaos among the leadership. I could not believe what Governor Ige had said. I had just taken 30 rolls of film proving everything he had just said was a complete lie. There were no drugs, there was no drinking, and I had not witnessed something more unified in my entire life. There were 1000 people there all united in one thing, protecting that which is sacred through Kapu Aloha. I hope through these images you can feel just that, the one thing that has allowed them to continue well past 100 days of existence at Puuhonua Puuhuluhulu : Kapu Aloha.“

Kamalei Alexander –
“I took these photos on the day of july 15 at Pu’uhonua o Pu’uhuluhulu.The color photos are the first two ( and only two )I took that day.They aren’t good photos by any means, but the moment caught on film was so powerful and catalyzing it really set the tone for the months to come. Smack dab in the middle ( red shirt ) is uncle Walter Ritte jr, laying face down shackled to the cattle guard.I didn’t have any idea how to act- or how I should feel, i just knew i had to capture it and it was a must that i remain strong like the men and women that had joined uncle Walter that very eventful morning. Throughout the day there was a lot of ebb and flow as the energy came and went and communication between the law and the people was put to the test, add in a couple tense moments followed by a Nation Risen !!!
Ēo Hawai’i, Ēa Kanaka !!!!“