The Keepers of the Craft

Masters of Their Craft

To truly know Hōlualoa is to know its artists. The galleries lining Māmalahoa Highway are more than just shops. They are the life's work of passionate creators. What's remarkable is how many of the village's most influential figures are "second-act" artists. People who came to their craft after established careers. They bring a lifetime of experience and a profound sense of purpose to their work. This isn't a fleeting bohemian colony. It's a deeply rooted community of masters.

The Morinoue Family: The Foundation of the Art Scene

You cannot talk about art in Hōlualoa without talking about the Morinoue family. As we saw, Hiroki Morinoue grew up in the very building that now houses Studio 7 Fine Arts. After earning his BFA and studying traditional Japanese art forms like sumi-e (brush painting) and mokuhanga (woodblock printmaking) in Japan, he and his wife, Setsuko Watanabe-Morinoue, returned home. In 1979, they established the gallery with a simple mission: to create and promote contemporary art in Hawaii.

Their influence is immeasurable. They were instrumental in co-founding the Donkey Mill Art Center. They were driven by a need to give back to the community and create a space for arts education. Their work—and that of their artist daughter, Miho Morinoue—is a sublime fusion of their island home and Japanese aesthetics. Walking through their gallery, with its Zen-like stepping blocks, is an abstract journey of wonder and reflection. It features prints, paintings, sculptures, and ceramics that are both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Matthew and Mary Lovein: The Dream Weavers

In 1990, Matthew and Mary Lovein opened Holualoa Gallery. Another cornerstone of the village's art scene. Their story is one of inspiration and following a new path. Matthew, a former design engineer and woodworker, was awakened one night by a dream. He told Mary, "I'm going to make a Wish Keeper." That dream became his signature creation: a beautiful Raku-fired ceramic vessel with a bamboo-shaped lid. When you lift the lid, a silk cord reveals an inner chamber meant to hold a written wish. Collected worldwide, the Wish Keeper™ is a tangible piece of hope. It's embossed with an ancient symbol for good fortune.

Matthew's work also includes impressive glass and metal sculptures. Mary is an accomplished painter and the author and photographer of Chameleons in the Garden. A charming coffee table book documenting the lives of Jackson's Chameleons in Hawaii. Together, they have created a space that feels both magical and deeply connected to the natural world. A reflection of their own artistic lifestyle on the slopes of Hualalai.

Elizabeth and Gary Theriault: Art as Healing

Step inside the modest, yellow-sided building of the Kona Art Gallery. You'll find a space that feels like a sanctuary. This is the creative nucleus of owners Elizabeth and Gary Theriault. While the gallery showcases the work of a dozen local artists, its heart lies in the unique creations of Elizabeth. She designs what she calls "healing tools for life's transitions." Traditional, hand-painted drums of all sizes. Intricate feather mobiles. Ceremonial rattles. These are not just objects of beauty. They are imbued with intention. Created to acknowledge and strengthen individuals through life's passages.

Gary complements this spiritual artistry with his own connection to the ʻāina (land). He creates stunning photos of Big Island life and carves intricate pieces from koa and other exotic woods. A visit to their gallery is an experience in itself. A reminder that art can be a powerful source of comfort, ceremony, and healing.