Folklore Project in Hawaii

WELL. What a diverse, alluring, lush, invigorating, arid, soothing, high, vibrant, urban, ancient, prickly, flowing, steadily changing and also resisting part of the world.

I've taken a shine to the DIY road/seaside memorials here - each distinct and reflective of the multifaceted culture of these islands. The first I noticed had over 20 tusked-jawbones nailed up a telephone pole. (Though, I didn't realize until finding a similar site on the other side of the island that this was indeed a memorial.) Others are.... softer. More leis and flowers in various stages of weathering, with bible passages and hand-written messages and cairn-like piles of coral. All these glimpses, to the backdrop of an incredible family vacation / reunion. (My mom lived here for a while as a girl.) This is the purpose of the visit, but, how can one not do a folklore something in Hawaii? 

So, I'm stealing shots out the window and holding up the group, and trying to put a little material culture photo collection together. Folklore ho! Let's wander off! Let's feel unexpectedly at home on the prairie. 

Full project found here.

Chloe Accardi, documenting hand-made memorial sites in Southern Maui.