During the month of April, Nakaya will be presenting an expanded collection of her creations at Kailua Village Artists Gallery including new origami pueo (owls), ‘alala (crow), mano (shark) aumakua, pololia (jellyfish), “guardian” dragons, mermaids, angel dogs, and more. Nakaya creates origami with detail that astounds and characters that tell a story. Her work just keeps getting better.

One piece that stands out is Mano Aumakua, named for the ancestral spirits that assume a shark form in native Hawaiian spiritual beliefs. Growing up on the beaches of Nanakuli and Waianae on Oahu, Nakaya learned first and foremost, RESPECT for the ocean and its inhabitants. She was also drilled in the “rules” for avoiding a shark attack, like staying out of the ocean when you’re bleeding (it’s like ringing a dinner bell to a hungry shark) or when the water is murky and churning (sharks don’t have the best vision), and always observing the ocean for a while and being aware of its "mood" before entering.

Mano Aumakua is about respecting biodiversity and honoring the traditional views. We enter the ocean, we enter the sharks habitat. Moreover, they are so adapted to their environment and blend in so well within it, that one could be a 100 yards away and we humans are not sensitive or attuned enough to always know that they are there. In her art, the shark (folded from a single sheet of paper, by the way) is clearly an alpha predator, complete with a mouthful of teeth. It even sports the iconic dorsal fin. Yet it is so well camouflaged in the water that it can be difficult to detect if it chooses not to be seen . . . like an ancestral spirit . . . like mano aumakua. The water is a fused glass piece also created by Nakaya with a lot of guidance from fellow KVA member artist Tamisha Lee.  

During the month of April, KVA will  be honoring two of our most distinguished member artists, Kathleen Jaeger and Bill Jaeger. Kathleen has been a member artist since 2005 and Bill since 2008.

Be it through mosaic, acrylic paint, recycled  pen and ink, paper mache' or a combination of all that and more, Kathleen captures joy and happiness in her sun and flowers. Owning one of these pieces is like owning a stock in that emotion. Her palm trees and honu (sea turtles) similarly radiate calm and inner peace. It is difficult to imagine the gallery without these influences, and tempting to hoard her work while it is still possible.

Bill's stained glass has developed a sizable following over the years. There are going to be many disappointed patrons who've been adding to their private collections every time they visit the island. A while back, we asked each artist to come up with one word that describes their art, process, or mindset. Bill's word was “SUPERPOWER!” He then added, "That word resonates with me as I transform plain ol' glass into art, making it my superpower." We will miss all of your superpowers Bill.

Kathleen and Bill have not only contributed exquisite art to the gallery, but also behind-the-scenes mentorship to new artists, as well as management and administrative skills that have sustained the co-op and gallery through economic downturns, pandemic closures, earthquakes, membership transitions, and more. Their expertise and willingness to step up are a significant part of how we can claim to be the longest running artist's co-operative in the state of Hawaii.

April will be Kathleen and Bill's final month before leaving our hui (group) to embark on their next life adventure.

We would also like to give their fans one more opportunity to purchase their respective art works and give Bill and Kathleen a fine and proper send off with a month of exceptional sales. 

Nakaya believes that the best way to appreciate origami is to experience the transformation of a single piece of paper into a three dimensional shape. Multiply that by a thousand - either the size of the paper, or the number of folds, or both - and that is Nakaya’s world.

Nakaya will offer one-on-one free tutorials for making an origami plumeria flower. This is a 5-petal, 3-dimensional blossom that she designed, and is folded from a single sheet of paper. This is beginner level origami for adults and should take 20 to 30 minutes to complete. Participants are welcome to take their flower with them. 

Reserve a time by calling the gallery landline at (808) 329 6653. Walk ins will be welcome pending demand and supplies.

Extraordinary Original Works Of Art