Kailua Village Artists

This month, we are taking a break from featuring a single member artist's latest and greatest works, to collectively acknowledge and celebrate the flora and fauna of our tropical island and surrounding ocean environment.

Hawaii island is unique with two nearly 14,000 foot tall mountains on an island in the tropics. Because of this, we boast eight of thirteen different climate zones. Where else on the planet could you ski and surf all in the same day? We are also home to a collective of more than 21,000 species of plants, animals, marine life, insects, fungi, and single-celled organisms. Essentially, we are one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. 

As stewards of the aina (land) that leaves us a lot to preserve and protect. As artists, that leaves us so much subject matter to choose from. Almost anything goes! Here are some of the pieces that we have organized into a collection of art celebrating our island's biodiversity.  The collection will be our featured display for the month of June. 

What's that you say? Onyx in green?!

As a matter of fact, onyx not only comes in deep black, but also pure white, along with shades of grey, red, brown, and green.

What makes an onyx an onyx is its mineral composition - a crystal of silicon dioxide - and its pattern of organization into parallel bands. 

When we see onyx with a uniform color, as in the Goochey earrings above, it's been strategically harvested from within a band.

As a reasonably hard stone (7/10), it is no wonder than onyx is associated with strength and endurance. Green is the color of nature and healing. Green onyx is believed to repel negativity, promoting inner calm and spiritual well-being.