The Laie Hawaii Temple includes several pieces of art from the friezes near the top of the temple to the sculptures around it, and members of the Laie community said this art tells a story. Kap Te’o Tafiti, a carver, sculptor, performer and senior cultural ambassador at the Polynesian Cultural Center, said all the art he creates has a purpose. He said in regards to art, its purpose is to tell a story.
Tafiti said, “Carvings and art are a form of language. They are a way of recording language and events.” For example, he said the Laie Hawaii Temple features high-relief sculptures.
According to Tafiti, high-relief sculpting is a form of sculpting featuring figures appearing to stand out further from the background. The Laie Hawaii Temple features four friezes, which are horizontal panels used for decorating, according to Britannica, wrapping around the temple near the top. Each scene shows different scriptural periods.
The north side shows the story of the Book of Mormon. The west side shows the people of the Old Testament, while the southern face shows New Testament stories. The east side shows the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith.
Additionally, Tafiti said carving and art are important in Polynesian culture because it is a way to is a way to share history.
He explained as Polynesian cultures from various islands came together through marriages and trade, the art from these islands also changed. Tafiti said, “Carvings, tattoos and tapa cloth are all tied together. All the art is intertwined and has evolved over time.”
Another carver and artist, Samuel Mangakahia, a senior from Australia majoring in graphic design, echoed Tafiti’s thoughts on the significance of carving and art in Polynesian culture. Mangakahia said his art helps him to stay connected to his ancestors and roots.
“When you carve, you tell a narrative with symbols. [The symbols] are pretty ancient, and the fun part is taking them and making it your own.” He said using the symbols and designs in his own way to tell a narrative helps keep his art fresh.
Mangakahia said similarly, all of the temple’s art and sculptures tell a story. Every time he carves, he said he also tells a story. He said whether it be his own or someone else’s work, “Everyone’s story deserves to be told. Wisdom and life comes from stories.”
Freelance writer and digital media specialist based in Laie, Mike Foley, said the art in and around the Laie Hawaii Temple represents the people who attend it. Foley was a member of the historical sub-committee for the Laie Hawaii Temple. He said one of the motifs used in the temple is the kukui tree, which has deep symbolism in Hawaiian culture.
Foley said the kukui tree is called the candlenut tree in English, because the nuts of the tree are oily and were once used to make lanterns that lit up the darkness. He said in the gospel, light is very symbolic, and so the kukui nut is an excellent symbol for the temple because “it’s a source of light, as is the temple.”