"It has been too long that Hawaiian art has been associated with plastic tikis and ocean paintings."  For the world to take the Art of Hawaii seriously, we must move our art into a more contemporary context.  By studying ideas and cultural practices of the past, we can push Native Hawaiian Art forms into the future.  My work incorporates many ancient symbols and forms which I try to incorporate into my art. I try to express and show these things with mixed media.  The woodcarving that I do is aimed at honoring the Hawaiian Culture, with a fresh abstract perspective.  I also choose to use woods that would otherwise be discarded for green waste.  I like to think that I give wood the chance to speak and tell a story one last time before it is absorbed back into the earth.  -Jordan Souza