Al Lagunero: Keauhou 

Join Kanaka ‘Ōiwi artist Al Lagunero for an exploration of his profound series, Keauhou: A New Time, commissioned for HT25. This body of work, consisting of nine paintings, draws inspiration from Lagunero’s great-grandmother, Kaʻahaʻāina-o-ka-haku Naihe, a revered Hawaiian healer. Created during his artist residency at Mānoa Heritage Center, the series reflects the powerful legacy of healing passed down through generations. 

In 1875, when Charles Montague Cooke Jr., born premature and frail, was on the brink of death, his parents turned to Kaʻahaʻāina for help. Through her skilled care, the infant, known as Monte, miraculously survived and thrived. Their lifelong connection is deeply woven into the fabric of the Cooke family and the land they have long stewarded, with which HoMA shares a link. (Cooke’s mother, Anna Rice Cooke, founded the museum.)

The Mānoa Heritage Center, with its healing garden named after Kaʻahaʻāina, serves as a testament to her enduring impact. Lagunero’s art brings this legacy into the present, reflecting on the continued reverberations of Kaʻahaʻāina’s healing practices. This conversation will delve into the intersection of family history, place, and cultural practice, giving new life to the spiritual and healing traditions of Hawaiʻi Island. 

Facilitated by HT25 curator Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu with an introduction by Jenny Engle of Mānoa Heritage Center. Meet in Gallery 28.  
   
BANNER IMAGE
Al Lagunero portrait. Courtesy of the artist. | Al Lagunero, Kaʻahaʻāinaokahaku (detail), 2024, acrylic on canvas. Courtesy of the artist.