Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 26, Number 10, 1 October 2009 — About the artist [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

About the artist

Brook Kapūkuniahi Parker painted the cover illustration, "Father Damien, Patron Saint of Native Hawaiians," for Ka Wai Ola. He is an artist of his native Hawai'i, raised in Wailau, Kahalu'u, O'ahu. Brook's family roots run deep in the islands being a direct descendant of John Palmer Parker, founder of Parker Ranch on Hawai'i Island. John Parker's wife, Rachael Keli'ikipikanekaolohaka Ohiaku was a granddaughter of Kamehameha the Great and his wife Kānekapōlei.

The majority of Brook's art por- e trays the deep love and admiration I he has for his island ancestors. As a I child, Brook was greatly influenced i in the arts by his father, David, a e gifted, self-taught artist and painter, s Hawaiian historian, genealogist and I writer. As Brook grew older his £ father's interest became his interest and with no formal art school train- I ing, his father's library of art books, \ Hawaiian history books and other t books also became his teachers. t Brook has illustrated numer- 1

>us children's books for 'Aha 'ūnana Leo and other projects for Camehameha Publishing, Pacific \merican Foundation, University )f Hawai'i at Mānoa and Hilo, the ;tate Board of Education, Hawaiian slands Humpback Whale Sanctuiry in Maui, and many others. Brook is married to the former Drena-Jo Kauakoko'ipohaia)uninamoku Kalani and they are he proud parents of five children, wo sons and three daughters. fhey live in Wailupe, O'ahu. ■

e 6