Hawaiian paintings and prints that reflect the true essence of the Kohala environs portrayed by Hawaiian artist, Reuben Luke Bumanglag (aka Reuben b). Hawaiian paintings of this nature are sought after because they express the life experiences of those who were born, raised, and lived in Hawai`i. If you are an admirer of authentic Hawaiian art, consider the work of this gifted Kohala artist.

As the growing number of Hawaiian luxury hotels and urbanization challenge and rearrange the environment of the Kohala Coast, this Hawaiian artist's work dramatically captures the backdrop, objects, and vistas that are vanishing from the kama`aina homeland. With the diminishing access and undoing of one of Hawaii`'s ancient and remote coast lines, the art of Reuben Luke Bumanglag (aka Reuben b) will one day be looked at as a priceless snapshot of the places and times where we lived, worked, played, and raised families, before its immolation to "progress." Those who live here (newcomers as well as kam`aina) realize that Big Islanders are stewards of a special environment filled with facinating places, grand vistas, and fragile ecosystems. As a Big Islander, Reuben's art captures the beauty, spirit, and noho`ana (way of life) of Kohala.

 

Artist Introduction...

As a self-taught Hawaiian artist, his work is not governed by institutionalized training. His art of Hawaii reflects an innocence that is engaging, expressive, refreshing, colorful and even spiritual. His Hawaiian art is stunningly beautiful and telling. A lot of "the old Hawaii we knew" is embodied in his art.

Born Reuben Bumanglag in November 1942 and later christened Reuben Luke Bumanglag, this Hawaiian artist was raised in the small sugar plantation town of Hakalau on the Hamakua coastline of the Big Island of Hawai`i. The sugar mill has since closed and passed into time like many of the others that dotted the Big Island's coastline. However, the memories and images of growing up in such an environment continue to guide his sense of visual expression.

Reuben's first public Hawaiian art show was in 1981 at Waipio Woodworks, a Hawaiian art gallery in the village of Kukuihaele, several miles from the town of Honokaa. During the five years his Hawaiian paintings were exhibited, over 30 were purchased by Private Collectors. Today, private collectors continue to seek his work for which the artist says "I am very thankful."

His favorite medium is watercolor, in addition to his powerful oils and acrylics. The preference is to paint landscapes, especially those becoming endangered by industrial development, urbanization, or becoming inaccessible to Hawai`i's Indigenous and Kupa`aina People. He says he "likes to paint quickly without laboring on his subject for a long period of time" so as to capture the essence of the moment and the life breath of Aloha that is ever present in the environment.

As for the direction of his Hawaiian art work, he says he is "still making daily discoveries" and prefers letting his "Hawaiian art speak for itself, (and) hopes that it will bring pleasure, awareness, and Aloha toward others."