Mana - The Spirit of the Land

Ancient Polynesian cultures believed in a supernatural force called mana. It is a spiritual energy encompassing human, natural, and divine elements. Within the natural realm, the land holds special significance for the Hawaiian people. They regard the land as sacred and believe many locations are imbued with mana. Indeed, the land has a spirit. It runs slow and deep, like the lava that flows below one's feet. You feel it the minute you step off the plane, and your pulse slows and blood pressure drops. In my attempt to express the deeper spirituality of the land, I've chosen to penetrate beyond the vivid colors of the landscape, slow down to the land's heartbeat, and get close to the earth. Images in this series are hand-printed using a traditional Platinum / Palladium process on Hahnemuhle platinum rag paper and finished with a hand applicaiton of bees wax.