HONOLULU (AP) — The director of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts announced her resignation following complaints about the use of a beloved Hawaii cultural figure’s image in foundation promotional material. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — The director
HONOLULU (AP) — The director of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts announced her resignation following complaints about the use of a beloved Hawaii cultural figure’s image in foundation promotional material.
Executive Director Eva Laird Smith told the foundation’s board Wednesday she would resign effective Dec. 31 after nearly two years in the post, said chairwoman Barbara Saromines-Ganne.
Laird Smith announced her decision in an executive session that followed a public meeting regarding the use of a photo of hula dancer and teacher Iolani Luahine to promote Hawaii Fashion Month, another media outlet reported.
The 1968 black-and-white photo was taken by the Francis Haar. It shows Luahine in a traditional kihei shawl flowing in the wind.
The photo used to promote the Oct. 4 show, “The Way We Wear, A Visual History of Fashion in Hawaii,” cropped Luahine’s head from the photo. The image was also placed on coffee mugs, T-shirts, tote bags and other merchandise.
The board listened to more than two hours of complaints by people who said the incident was demeaning to Native Hawaiians and another example of exploitation of their culture for commercial gain.
