An online search about Disney's new billion dollar resort in Ko`Olina, on the westside of O`ahu will turn up many articles, travelogues and early reviews about what may prove to be a prototype of Disney resorts to come. But its presence on this website is specifically because of Disney's commitment to showcasing and incorporating the stories of Hawaii, as told through her artists, throughout the resort property.
Joe Rohde, left, met with most of the artists individually to document them at work and talk about their feelings on the resort and their participation with it. Mr. Rohde is Executive Designer and Vice President, Creative, of The Walt Disney Company, and was a lead designer at Aulani. Having grown up in Hawaii, he has a very special feeling for the way this resort would be portrayed and viewed by local residents and world travellers alike. Here he meets with Dalani to hear about the history and importance of Hawaiian kapa.
The artworks of over 50 local artists, most of them native Hawaiians is one of the highlights of the design of this resort. It is in the architecture, in major installations, on walls and in rooms in the decor, it occurs throughout the grounds and is even in the uniforms of cast members. And as it happens, much of this work is representative of kapa designs created by kapa practitioner Dalani Tanahy. The following is a listing of the consulting and work that was created for the Aulani resort that was original kapa or designs made by Dalani.
More pictures and descriptions will be added.Aulani Resort and Spa Photo Album at FacebookTo make reservations at the resort www.resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort
2009-Designs made for Costuming and Decor and Furnishings for Disney. Designs would be chosen to be used in cast member uniforms, shower curtains, room drapes and duvet covers.
2009-Consult with imagineers for kapa and kapa tool set as part of a 'scavenger hunt' activity. Kapa made that was reproduced and is in the garden. One of my i'e kuku kapa beaters was also sent to Florida to be cast in resin and is a part of that set.
2010-Consulting with Disney designer on use of kapa designs on lobby window cutouts, elevator doors and other locations. -
Hosted Disney Executives at Ka`ala Farm in Wai`anae as part of their round the island tour. At Ka`ala they all were taught how to make kapa. My position at that time with Ka`ala was Executive Administrator.
- Part of a Meet the Travel Press event at Ko Olina, with artists McD Philpotts, Solomon Enos and Rocky and Lucia Jensen.
- Contracted to create 6 original kapa that would be enlarged and reproduced on textured vinyl for placement in the ceiling of the main lobby entryway.
-Original kapa and tools created and framed for placement in the Presidential Suite.
-Artists first walk through of the resort to see the areas where the large artwork installations would be placed. These artists included Solomon Enos, Harinani Orme, Carl FK Pao, Brooke Parker, Al Lagunero and Mark Chai, with Project Manager Eddie Choi showing us around.
-Artists and community leaders special event at the Governors mansion with Disney Executives
2011-Lobby kapa completed
-Consult with Head of Landscaping, Jeff Morosky regarding planting wauke and various dye plants at the resort, that can be eventually used for classes with the guests. -Brought the wauke plants that were installed on the resort grounds. Probably the only resort in Hawaii that has wauke growing on its property.
-Soft opening of Resort with Community members and artists, recognition of the many artists who were creators for and beautifiers of the Resort.
-Along with other Disney artists, painted 50 vinylmation mice that were part of the goody package for the press week event.
-Consult with Disney Company Head of Costuming, Douglas Enderle about making kapa malo and kihei for the press grand opening event. Members of the kapa making community are also brought in to help create these kapa, including Wes Sen, Verna Takashima, Kawai Aona-Ueoka, Eric Enos, Kula Van Dorpe and Cody Pueo Pata.
-Emergency visit to check on sick wauke, which eventually had to be replaced. There are currently 6 wauke trees growing at the site.
-Printed and built 3 kapa (fijian masi) kites for the Childrens waiting area at Aulani
-Demo'ed kapa making as part of First Day of Guest arrivals at this 4 am event -Demonstrated kapa for Disney Executives inluding CEO of Disney/Pixar/Marvel Comics/ABC, Bob Iger, who even tried his hand at pounding kapa.
-Did kapa kite making class with members of the Imagineering team
-Part of Press Week events and was interviewed for Good Morning America and, demo'ed kapa making for national television (see clip here on the website) Also attended press breakfast with artists Hanale Hopfe, Sol Enos, Harinani Orme, and Douglas Tolentino
-Part of Grand Opening Night with the press, dressing the 8 men who wore the kapa malo and kihei, and specially made lei for the event.
-One of four guest artists who come every week to talk to guests, demonstrate our art and teach workshops. Other arts represented are featherwork, Hawaiian woodwork and weapons and Lauhala weaving.
-Created kapa Christmas ornaments that will be used as decor at the resort.
-Created kapa that will be used as gifts for Disney executives
-Was interviewed for national radio broadcast with travel host Peter Greenberg during his visit to Aulani. Visit his site at www.PeterGreenberg.com
-2012 January, Press Week interviews
Being a part of this amazing project has been humbling to say the least. The people from Disney have been outstanding in their dedication to the vision and cultural integrity of the resort. As an artist of a craft that was not so long ago considered a 'lost art', to see it so very alive in so many renditions as well as its original one of kapa bark cloth is mind boggling. I am humbled each time I am there and see that lobby ceiling, or a cast member walk by in a uniform with my design on it. It's all like a living, breathing portfolio and the entire experience has been unforgettable.
Reproduction of original kapa, printed on textured vinyl. The designs are representative of forms of the Hawaiian deity, Ku. The left hand side of the ceiling has kapa representative of forms of the goddess deity, Hina. The mural below was painted by internationally acclaimed artist and muralist Martin Charlot, and wraps around the entire perimeter of the lobby entryway. It depicts various aspects of tradtional and modern life in Hawaii.