What do the hills or puu represent in Hawaiian culture?
On our island of Hawaii, the puu are a prevalent image in our landscape. As the youngest in the entire state, the mountains are still alive and continue to erupt. The cinder cones are relatively young protuberances where there was once a hot spot. For 2009, I selected the name Puumanawalea, or Benevolent Hill. It represents all the thought and spirit that went into the collection. It is important that we give freely and willingly. Will you ever try to merge tradition and modernism? Our traditional ties lie mainly within the art. We instill in each hand-cut design the cultural significance and actual experiences that we have had with that plant, form, or concept. Placement within modern context or style takes place naturally as we live in a society totally in touch with global energy and directions. Living in the middle of the Pacific doesn’t hinder but provides a bigger expanse in terms of the open mind. Will you pass on the traditional art of Sig Zane to a younger generation? My son K
