As the growing number of luxury hotels and urbanization challenge and rearrange the environment of the Kohala Coast, this 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 the Big Island's ancient and remote coast lines, the art of Reuben Bumanglag 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...

It's hard to picture this talented, shy artist growing up in a plantation town when looking at his art. However, those who have met him are quickly captured by his warm kama`aina smile, dark eyes, and his talent in capturing the simple beauty that is the Big Island.

Born Reuben Bumanglag in November 1942 and later christened Reuben Luke Bumanglag, the 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.

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

Reuben's first public show was in 1981 at Waipi`o Woodworks, an art gallery in the village of Kukuihaele, several miles from the town of Honoka`a. During the five years his paintings were exhibited at Waipi`o Woodworks, 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 art work, he says he is "still making daily discoveries" and prefers letting his "art speak for itself, and hopes that it will bring pleasure, awareness, and Aloha toward others."