My main subjects are a Bird of Paradise, Pink Hibiscuses, and a group of plants that look like Elephant’s Ears. I chose them because I grew up around these plants. I chose them because, like me, they traveled long distances to get to Southern California. 

None of my main subjects are indigenous to Hawaii, although they appear to be. The large leafed plant looks like Hawaiian Taro, the Bird of Paradise, although commonly found in Hawaii, is actually indigenous to South Africa, and this particular Hibiscus species is not one of the seven species indigenous to the islands. I chose these plants because despite their ancestral ties, they have all traveled to my home, the most isolated community in the world (over 2,000 miles away from the nearest land-mass). Regardless of their actual indigeneity, these plants have become a self-proclaimed embodiment of my home. I chose these items with the misconception that they were brought to California from Hawaii and the conclusion that they represented me; however, with the newfound understanding that they have actually travelled much farther than I thought, these plants really do represent the annihilation of space and time. These plants reflect the modern and historic migrations of communities around the world, and the technology it took to get them here. 

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When Captain Cook first arrived on Hawaiian shore in 1778, it is believed that he was mistaken as Lono, who, during the Makahiki season, is believed to visit the public in human form. Hawaiian people showered him with gifts and hospitality and the captain lavished in Hawaiian company for a month. During his second visit a year later, he was met with the same warmth, however, the death of a crew-member eliminated the illusion of immortality and caused suspicion among Hawaiian people. 

A week after Cook’s departure, a shipwreck caused the crew to navigate back to the island chain. Any previous generosity from the community had turned to disdain: Hawaiians began hurling rocks, as the return of Cook past the end of the Makahiki season proved he was not the god he pretended to be. A violent outbreak began after a Hawaiian chief was killed. The crowd, angered over their murdered chief, stormed onto the ship, eventually killing Captain Cook. In the end, there were over 30 Hawaiian casualties.

Since Cook’s encounter with Hawaii 200 years ago, Hawaiian plants have spread around the world, establishing roots in places ancient Hawaiians never visited. However, similarly to the violence of Captain Cook, the introduction of dangerous foreign plants and animals have destroyed native habitats–delicate flowers and birds have been suffocated by invasive species. The endangerment of native Hawaiian species can be seen as an allegory for the colonization of Hawaiians, the impacts of which are still felt today.

While there is little we can change about the past, it is important for us all to recognize the impact of foreign powers on indigenous life, and to respect the culture(s) of the people who live in these spaces. While there is a history of foreign violence on Hawaiian soil, simultaneously we can acknowledge the beauty that has resulted from these migrations–the new ideas, people, communities, and plants that have taken root in Hawaii. These three plants  I chose to capture represent the beauty that coexisting diversity brings to the world and reflects my belief that creating spaces in which both native and nonnative communities can thrive will result in the betterment for all.