When browsing for souvenirs throughout the shops of Waikiki, one will find statues of large women. In many cases these women are teeming with children, other times she is alone. In every case she is posed as if in the middle of a story. According to the tags, this individual is "The Storyteller."
Prior to coming to Hawaii, I conducted research on the history of the Hawaiian people. I learned that early Hawaiians handed down their history and beliefs through story telling. As such, "the story teller" was a very respected role. This person was the guardian of the past and the enforcer of ways.
This brings me to the subject of my picture for today. She is called "The Storyteller." Her arms are moving in time to her words, her face is expressive. It is almost as if the artist had caught her in the middle of a tale. A symbol of Hawaii's past stationed in one of the most tourist filled locations on the island.
However, as much of a tribute to the past this statue may be, its position on the island is not lost to me. A nod to simpler times is located in front of a Chanel store. To the left of the statue, one may see the shelves of expensive handbags through the window. Shoppers walk by the statue without even a glance. One woman is busy peering into the high end shop and a man hurries past, hands full of shopping bags. A paradox between modern decadence and cultural relevance, "The Storyteller" appears to be telling a tale that no one wants to hear.
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