January/Feburary 2022

A Whale of a Winter 

Thanks to wonderful clients like yourself, Maui Hands has been able to successfully weather the economic ups and downs of the last two years. From website orders and in-person purchases to commissions, you are the reason we are still here showcasing art and jewelry made in Hawai'i and supporting local artists.

While 2021 marked the end of 20 years at our Hyatt Ka'anapali location, we were thrilled to open our newest location within The Shops at Wailea in early August. In keeping with our commitment to curating thoughtful spaces, our Wailea gallery is another unique Maui Hands location to explore, featuring a roster of longstanding artists including Avi Kiriaty, Christine Halton, Jim Powlan, Linda Whittemore, and Suzy Papanikolas; ceramicists Curt Stevens, Lee Oululani Plevney, Michael Wisner, and Sharon Ransford; sculptor Steven Smeltzer; glass artists Chris Lowry and Chris Richards of Hot Island Glass, Chris Upp, and Jim Graper; and jewelers Bruce Tapley, Dian Anderson, Larry River, Pratima Designs, and Varsha Titus.

We were also very fortunate to add quite a few new makers to our art 'ohana across all locations, including but not limited to: ceramicists Melisa Hicks and Mark Somers, and Hillary Richards; glassblowers Jon and Jade Moreno, and Luke Olsen; painters Angelina Petrova-Hristova, Annamarie Sheehan, Crystal Yutzy, and Jackie Johnston; fourth-generation jeweler Galit A. Breman; resin-and-wood artisan Kolton Kallas; expert woodworker Shaun Fleming; fiber artist Deb Lynch; collage artist Bonnie Morgan; and historic Hawaiian artifacts maker Lokela Sanchez.

Read on to learn more about winter happenings on Maui, a select few of our wood artisans and their medium, and more!

Happenings on Maui

It's whale season! Humpback whales migrate to Hawaii’s warm waters for the winter months, and the official Maui whale-watching season is from mid-December to mid-May, with the peak months for whale sightings being January, February, and March.

From GoHawaii.com: ...The Hawaiian language is very descriptive, and gave birth to many names for different types of rain, ocean conditions, environments, and even animals. The word kohola refers to reef flats as well as the humpbacked whale, perhaps linking the spray of the waves on the reef with the spray from a whale's blow. Palaoa is used to refer to sperm whales or the ivory from whale tusks that were highly prized as fishhooks and pendants reserved for alii (royalty). Like many living languages, Hawaiian is also evolving; more recently, the term kuapio (humpback or arched back) has given rise to the name kuapio kohola, or, literally, humpback whale... 

During the month of February, the Pacific Whale Foundation's annual Maui Whale Festival offers a series of inspiring events held during Maui's peak humpback whale season. Each occasion is designed to celebrate and inspire environmental stewardship alongside a strong community of Maui residents and visitors. For current information, visit www.mauiwhalefestival.org.

A little about January & February

• January ~ Garnet: The name garnet originates from the medieval Latin granatus, meaning "pomegranate," in reference to the similarity of the red color. While commonly red, this gem also comes in an extraordinary range of colors, including orange, yellow, purple, and vibrant green. Some believe the true value of the garnet is its power to bring the wearer good health, wealth, and happiness.
• February ~ Amethyst: The name amethyst derives from the Greek amethystos, which means "a remedy against drunkenness," a benefit long ascribed to the purple stone. Because of its wine-like color, early Greek mythology associated the gem with Bacchus, the god of wine. Amethyst was believed to keep the wearer clear headed and quick witted in battle and business affairs, and its lilac to deep purple tones can be found in the collections of royal families worldwide.

The hidden beauty of hardwoods

From everyday items like kitchen utensils to furniture and fine art pieces, the variety of hardwoods used by our artisans spans the gamut. Take a quick tour of some of our current favorite pieces below!

Maple and Walnut Puzzle Table (above) by Scott Buettner: Painter by day/woodworker by night, Scott Buettner was initially inspired by his father who worked as a Wood-Pattern Model Maker for General Motors creating full-scale models of cars. Scott has lived in Kula for more than two decades, letting the wood inspire each piece that wants to be made.

Koa Paddle with Purple Heart, Maple, Wenge, Pheasantwood, and Ebony Accents (detail) by Mel Ross: Mel Ross started surfing in California in the 1950s while designing and making surfboards, working for Hobie Catamaran, Hobie Surfboards, and others until he had a chance to start his own companies - the success of which allowed him to move to Hawai'i. Woodworking has always been a hobby for Mel, and inspiration for his current line comes from the beauty of laminated woods used in modern-day canoe paddles.


Pheasantwood Bowl by Stewart Gellar: Raised in New York City and a graduate of art studies, Stewart Geller has lived in Hawai'i since the early 1990s. In all media, he has always attempted to be a component of the process rather than the controller of it, with his desire to let the forces of physics and nature play a major role in the creative process.