"Malama Wao Akua", which means to preserve and take care of the upper forested watersheds, is an art contest created by the East Maui Watershed Partnership, whose main goal is to protect the pristine rainforests on the windward side of Haleakala.

Imagine a Hawai'i before humans and this is what you will see: a place where I'iwi pierce the sky with their whistled cries and the 'Akohekohe claim territory over red 'ohi'a blossoms...

Artist from all over Maui created paintings, sculptures and photographs to reflect this vision of a native Hawaiian ecosystem for this juried art show. Jurors are Hokulani Holt Padilla, Jennifer Owen, and William Rodgers.

On September 17, the public is invited to the blessing, awards, pupus and an outdoor screening of "Maoli No - Truly Native", a short film about Hawaii's native ecosystems set to traditional and contemporary Hawaiian mele and oli.

For further details
- visit East Maui Watershed Partnership (www.eastmauiwatershed.org)
- call 572-5979