Description
About The Artwork ~ Daniel’s Story
“Using an approach of fine lines and dots to illustrate the essence and spirit of what’s also known as the scarlet honeycreeper. The ‘i‘iwi or scarlet honeycreeper was considered sacred by early Hawaiians. Going back in time, their feathers were used to create cloaks, helmets, and leis. The colors and feathers were worn only during special ceremonies by certain ranks or when entering a battle.
“Bird catchers known as “kia manu” trapped these birds along with many other colorful honeycreeper birds to pluck their feathers for the preparation of these cloaks. It is said that the kia manu would release these birds back into the wild after plucking a handful of feathers in order to preserve this resource.
“The ‘i‘iwi is known for its long downward curving bill that is specialized for probing endemic flowers to reach their nectar. ʻŌhiʻa lehua, for example, is depicted in this drawing and is a tree that the ‘i‘iwi often find as a preferred source of food. Today the ‘i‘iwi, like many other honeycreepers, are declining steadily due to avian malaria and habitat loss. They are found nowhere else in the world. Conservation efforts from many organizations are working meticulously to preserve the native birds and plants of Hawaii’s ecosystems. Without the sound of the birds and the creatures of the forest, we would be living in a world without songs.”
