I’m long overdue in sharing this piece I made for the @outriggerreef hotel in Waikiki last spring. When @instakahi and @jen_onishi linked me up with the @outriggerresorts team I was surprised how enthusiastic they were to showcase a giant ocean trash installation front and center in their newly renovated hotel... but then I learned more about their efforts to reduce the hotel’s plastic footprint and to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs and it all made sense! . I was hesitant to accept the project however as I was given a 2 month deadline and I didn’t know if I would be able to source that much marine debris in the right colors, condition, and length... Fortunately for me @debrisresearch was wrapping up some forensic analysis on a mountain of old fishing rope collected off the beach by @sustainablecoastlineshawaii and others and I found a huge knotted mass of orange rope buried in their pile- I knew then I had what I’d need to pull off the project. I’m stoked @outriggerresorts generously donated $3K to @debrisresearch for letting me use their material! . I made the piece in the old laundry room at the Reef under the sand of Waikiki and with the help of @kkandmc @tristanmmns @brysonemmons @lutty and @hkimukai we rolled it up to the bell desk and used a lift cart to hoist the ~400lb x 14ft wide x 6ft tall panel into position. . This piece is an homage to the late, great Hawaiian artist, historian, and designer of @hokuleacrew Herb Kawainui Kane. I was lucky to meet Herb in 2009 after sailing with a crew of students on an oceanographic expedition from Tahiti to Hawaii. He was getting up there in years but he captivated us with stories about pre-colonial Hawai’i. I asked him “What is the best way for a visitor to Hawai’i to participate in its protection” and he said something along the lines of “By showing respect to the islands and it’s people”. I met his wife at the grand opening on Monday and shared that story with her- it was super special moment. . I want to thank everyone who made this project possible- I’m grateful for the chance to help inspire visitors to Hawai’i to participate in the protection of its environment and culture.