Spring 2024

Video Installation

ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkīʻī Beach

Kuʻu Pua

Kuʻu Pua is a video installation for the Light Monument at ʻAlohilani Resort, inspired by the mele "Kuʻu Pua I Paoakalani," written and composed by Queen Liliʻuokalani.


Brief :

Nella Media Group has commissioned an innovative video installation for the Light Monument, a significant large-scale video projection located at the ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach. This installation plays a vital role in elevating the atmosphere of Swell Bar's rooftop poolside experience. The aim of the video, designed for nightly projection, is to emphasize the beauty of the Spring season while honoring the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii. This captivating presentation is intended to create a memorable experience for guests, merging visual artistry with cultural appreciation in a stunning setting.

Process :

Our creative solution to the client’s brief involved identifying a song or poem by Queen Liliʻuokalani that would unite imagery of Spring with cultural art forms, reflecting the themes found in the storied place surrounding ʻAlohilani Resort. Our focus landed on the renowned mele, Kuʻu Pua I Paoakalani. The mele speaks of the Queen’s private garden retreat of Paoakalani, once situated near the present-day location of the ʻAlohilani Resort. Using this mele as our framework we captured imagery of flowers, lei pua, hula, and natural landscapes.


Process:

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Collaborators:

Dance Talent : Tiare Thomas Harris
Muʻumuʻu Provided by : Muʻumuʻu Library
Crown Flower Lei Provided by : Pakalana Mai Nei
Produced by : Nella Media Group
Created by : Joseph K Paʻahana