This project, which ran in March and April of 2005, was supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and the
Hawaii State Foundation on Art & Culture, featured four dedicated students from Lana‘i High School telling selected stories garnered from their own family elders or the University of Hawaii’s Center for Oral History publication, Lana‘i Ranch: the People of Ko`ele and Keomuku. In addition, the students interpreted their stories visually, in their choice of acrylic painting or photography.
The students worked for over 40 hours on their own time after school to memorize their stories, polish storytelling techniques and create their original works of art.
The event also included performances by two professional story tellers; Nyla Fujii-Babb, who coached our youth participants, and Dann Seki.

Special Thanks to

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Hawaiian Tug & Barge\Young Bros. Ltd.

Storyteller Nyla Fuji-Babb at initial presentation to classes.

Student practicing storytelling at initial presentation to classes.

Participant Janna Amby working on her first original acrylic painting.

Participant Sharah Myers working on her first original acrylic painting.

Participant Gisselle Aguilar working on her first original acrylic painting.

Participant Samson Aki photographing his final image for entry.

Standing-room only crowd in the Music Room at the final presentation in at the Lodge at Koele.

Participants proudly displaying their SFCA certificates - From left to right - Janna Amby, Sharah Myers, Gisselle Aguilar, guest storyteller Dan Seki and Samson Aki.

Sharah Myers - original acrylic - Church at Keomuku.
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Gisselle Aguilar - original acrylic - Kaumalapau Harbor
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Janna Amby - original acrylic - Mango Stand
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Samson Aki - original photograph - Sharks Bay, Lana`i
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