Original Oil Painting of Hi'iaka and Lohi'au by Thomas Christian Wolfe

This is a mural sized original painting by Thomas Christian Wolfe. It depicts the Hawaiian legend of Hi'iaka and Lohi’au. 

The scene

The scenery is reminiscent of of the north shore of Kauai, the areas of Ha'ena, Ke'e, the Napali cliffs, and Kalalau where much of the story takes place. The goddess Hi'iaka and Alii Lohi'au embrace. She has used her powers to restore him to life. 

Size: 122" x 72"
10ft wide, x 6ft tall

Original oil on canvas. Not a print, reproduction, lithograph, or giclee. 

The artist

Thomas Christian Wolfe is a painter and muralist famous for his classical style renditions of mythological legends and dieties. The large original of Maui - Hawaiian Demi God, hangs in a private collection in a Los Angeles home.

This work has yet to be finished. The sale price of this piece includes the artist's time to complete the painting.

This is truly a one of a kind opportunity of a lifetime to own an original work and masterful depiction of Hawaiian culture.

The story

There are many variations to the story of Pele, Hi'iaka and Lohi'au; in summary the story goes like this.

While in a deep sleep Pele's spirit leaves her body entranced by the sound of far off drumming and singing. Her spirit travels from her home, in the volcano of Kilauea, Hawaii to the western edge of Kauai, to the village of Ha'ena. It's the music made by Lohi'au at a luau that draws her it. Lohi'au is a handsome young prince of Kauai. Lohi'au and Pele are drawn to each other and spend several days together. However, Pele is in spirit form only. 

Back on Hawaii, Hi'iaka the younger sister of the Pele, grows concerned for Pele as she has been in a deep sleep for days. Hi'iaka chants for her spirit to return. Pele leaves Lohi'au and promises to send a messenger to bring him to her where they can be together, and then she is gone. Lohi'au becomes very distraught at the sudden appearance and disappearance of the the beautiful, enchanting woman and hangs himself. 

Pele sends Hi'iaka with two female companions to Kauai to retrieve Lohi’au. She cannot go herself, as the goddess of the volcano her body must remain there. Pele commands Hi'iaka to return with 40 day and not to embrace or lie with Lohi'au. Hi'iaka requests that Pele protect her Lehua grove and good friend Hopoe. 

The journey is difficult and the woman overcome many obstacles to arrive on Kauai and find Lohi'au is no longer living and is being guarded by dragons. Hi'iaka defeats the dragons and uses healing healing herbs and chants to return Lohi'au soul to his body and restore him to health. The journey back to Hawaii presents more challenges and they will arrive beyond the 40 day period that Pele insisted on. Hi'iaka sends her companions ahead to tell Pele of their journey but in her rage she kills them with lava without hearing a word of it. She also destroys Hi'iaka Lehua grove and Hopoe. 

When Hi'iaka and Lohi'au finally return to the Kilauea volcano and face Pele Hi'iaka is upset by her sister's actions and takes revenge by embracing Lohi'au in full view of Pele. Pele in a jealous fury sends lava to kill them both and succeeds in only killing Lohi’au. Hi'iaka digs deep into the earth release the souls of those killed in Pele's rage and intent on hitting water and sending it into the volcano, thus killing Pele. She is stopped by the god Kane. 

In the meantime, Lohi'au's best friend who traveled with them from Kauai is furious with Pele for twice causing the death of Lohi'au. Upon hearing of Lohi'au's grief, his and Hi'iaka's devotion to her; Pele restores those she had killed to life and let's Lohi'au choose wether he wants Pele or Hi'iaka. He has become smitten with Hi'iaka's bravery, courage, beauty and kindness and chooses her. They return to Kauai together and live out the rest of their days.