Treasures of the Native Forests

My newest photo exhibit, “Treasures of the Native Forests — A Photo Exhibit by Nathan Yuen”, will be on display at the University of Hawaii Hamilton Library from May 1 to August 31, 2009.

Featuring photographs taken on my hiking and backpacking adventures, this exhibit celebrates the native forests of Hawaii and the exceptional plants and animals that can still be found in remote far-flung locations.  Included in the exhibit are authentic Hawaiian leis made exclusively with plant material available to the Polynesians prior to Western contact. Made by renowned lei-maker Brian Choy, these traditional leis are made with flowers, ferns, and other plant material from the native forests.  Here is a sample of the pieces in my exhibit.

“Ohia Forest in the Mist” — Clouds encroach on the Na Pali Coast of Kauai and envelope the native ohia forests with a fine mist.  Moisture from passing clouds condenses on trees, drips down trunks, and follows tree roots into the ground where it begins its subterranean journey to join the ground water in the aquifer. Ohia trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) are endemic to Hawaii and are found nowhere else in the world.

“Lulumahu Falls” —  Lulumahu Falls in Nuuanu Valley derives its water from ground water in the aquifer originally captured by the native forests on the top Konahuanui, the highest peak on the Koolau Mountains.  As a result, the falls has water year-round even in the driest summers.

“Lehua Quartet” — The red pom-pom shaped flowers of lehua are actually clusters of flowers with long stamens and pistils.  This series of photos shows the progression of buds as they open into flowers and are pollinated.  It also shows how moisture from passing clouds condenses as droplets of dew on the stamens and pistils of the flower.  Ohia lehua trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) dominate the native forests and are central to the stories and legends of old Hawaii.

“Lei Lehua Mamo” —  This authentic yellow lehua lei is made completely with plants available to the Hawaiians prior to Western contact.  Made by Brian Choy, this lei is made in the traditional wili style with (1) yellow lehua flowers and buds, (2) yellow ilima flowers, buds and leaves, (3) yellow kaunaoa vines, (4) yellow ti leaves, and (5) green palapalai ferns. In old Hawaii, yellow was rarer and more highly prized than red.  Yellow was the color of the highest rank of alii (chiefs) — Kamehameha the Great’s feathered cloak was made entirely of yellow feathers.

There are 46 photos in this exhibit.  The exhibit is open to viewing by the general public during library hours and is located the first floor of Hamilton Library next to the elevators.

“Treasures of the Native Forests”
A Photo Exhibit by Nathan Yuen
May 1 through August 31, 2009
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Hamilton Library – 1st Floor Next to Elevators

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University of Hawaii at Manoa
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