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 and raised in Hawai`i. If you are an admirer of authentic Hawaiian art, consider the work of this gifted Kohala artist. His Mauna Kea Beach Hawaiian art is a treasure.

"His Hawaiian art expresses an aboriginality that is innocent, engaging, refreshingly colorful, and spiritual. "

As the growing numbers of luxury hotels urbanize and rearrange the environment of the Kohala Coast, this Hawaiian artist's work is known to dramatically capture the backdrop and vistas that are rapidly vanishing from the Kama`aina homeland. With diminishing access and undoing of one of Hawai`i'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, and raised families prior to its immolation by the fires of "progress." Many Kama`aina who live here understand that being a Big Islander is to be a steward of our land--a land that welcomes newcomers, offers fascinating places, grand vistas, and fragile ecosystems. Reuben's art captures the authenticity, beauty, spirit, and "noho ana" of the people of the Big Island who call Kohala their home.

Hawaiian Artist Introduction...

Any artist from anywhere can paint Hawai`i's beauty. However, only a native born can truly experience and imagine how our Hawaiian art is tied to the`Aina (land) and our people's past. To be appreciated as a true Hawaiian artist is to have lived the Hawaiian experience first hand since childhood.

For those who knew what growing up on the Big Island was like will find his work to be historical and a special keepsake. Those who are "Hawaiian art heart" will enjoy the work of a real devoted Hawaiian artist working against time to document Kohala's beauty.

As a self-taught Hawaiian artist, Reuben's work is not governed by institutionalized training, conformity, or "technique." His art of Hawai`i reflects deep cultural relationships with nature and the people who worked and cared for the land. His Hawaiian art expresses an aboriginality that is innocent, engaging, refreshingly colorful, and spiritual. A lot of "the old Hawaii we once 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."