When I was little I always wanted to wear a matching mother, daughter outfit. It only took two decades, and me making it, but now I finally got to live out that childhood dream. That’s Mum and I, both in our ‘Aloha ka Manini’ blouses. Her’s is two years older than mine: it’s good to see the fabric holds up so well!
When I go on a trip, I like to look back over my images when I get back and see what the first image I took was: the first thing that inspired me to pull out my camera and commemorate it. This is my first photograph from my recent trip to Hawaii: It’s an 18th century shoe in the textile store at the Honolulu Museum of Art. I love this. It’s so typically me: the first thing I wanted to do on Oahu was go to the HMA, and the first thing I immortalised was a 250 year old shoe — not the usual Hawai’i image at all! I’m lucky enough to know the director of the Honolulu Museum of Art (formerly the Honolulu Academy of Art), and he really wanted me to meet the textile curator and tour the textile store. Was I interested? Are you kidding! Of course! I thought the HMA textile collection would be very Hawai’i focused — all Hawaiian quilts, vintage holoku, kapa (barkcloth) and woven …
I’ve just gotten back from my visit home to see my parents on the family farm in Hawaii. I had the most amazing trip – got to see so many fabulous things, meet so many fantastic people, just spend time with my parents and the farm, and most of all, do something amazing that I’ve been waiting my whole life to do. I’m going to tell you all about the trip (or at least the bits I think you might be interested in) in future posts, but for now, here are some highlights of the trip: The Honolulu Museum of Art: Iolani Palace (and they started allowing photography a week before I visited!): The state capitol: Bananas (obviously): Hanging out with my sister: Hanging out at the beach: Hanging out in the mountains: Hanging out in the gardens: Doing some cooking: And some sewing: And finally, I took a really amazing walk:
