YOU AND ME

Celebrating the places, memories, and moments that shaped our relationship through a collection of paintings.

01

Bishop Museum

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

Watching Pualei perform hula, helping her get ready before performances, and celebrating May Day together are the memories that immediately come to mind when I think of Bishop Museum. This is one of the places I most associate with hula and Hawaiian culture, not just because it celebrates Hawaiian history and culture, but because of the experiences I have shared there with Pualei. Those experiences have given me a much deeper appreciation for hula and the culture that has played such an important role in her life.

02

LOVE Park

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

Created by Robert Indiana, the LOVE sculpture has become emblematic of the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia. When I took Pualei to visit Philly, I made sure we stopped at LOVE Park and did the touristy thing of capturing us kissing beneath the sculpture. Before then, I walked past it countless times on my way to grad school from the 15th Street and JFK Boulevard subway station, often quietly passing judgment on the tourists doing exactly what we were now doing. While many people associate the sculpture with Philadelphia, I have always associated it with the arts and my time at PAFA. Sharing that moment with her made me appreciate it in an entirely different way.

03

Capitol Modern

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

When Pualei and I started looking at wedding venues, every place left us with some hesitation until we looked at Capitol Modern. The event coordinator, Rodney, was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process, answering our questions and making everything feel easy. As we walked through the venue, we kept smiling at each other and eventually shared a look that confirmed it. We had found the place where we wanted to get married. While the painting was created before the wedding, it held one meaning at the time. Looking back now, it reminds me of our wedding day and all of the memories we created there.

04

Landon

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

This is where everything started. What began as two colleagues quickly turned into a friendship, and eventually our relationship. From our quiet competition to see who could arrive at school first, hallway duty, supporting students, working on projects, and talking through the challenges that come with working in a school, this is where we got to know each other. While neither of us grew up in Maryland, it became the place where our relationship did. Had I never accepted a job at Landon, I never would have met Pualei, and we wouldn't be where we are today. Go Bears!

05

Ala Moana

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

When I first visited Hawaiʻi, Ala Moana was the first beach Pualei took me to. Growing up, I would go down the shore from time to time with my family, so I was mostly used to beaches like Wildwood, Belmar, and Myrtle Beach. Ala Moana was unlike any beach I had experienced before, and the fact that it was only about ten minutes away was a much better drive than the hour and a half minimum I was used to. I was then quickly informed that this wasn’t even considered one of the nicest beaches on island. While I have now been to various beaches across the island, Ala Moana will always hold a special place in my heart.

06

Honolulu Museum of Art

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

While I began getting acclimated to the island, an opportunity presented itself in the form of a temporary painting and drawing teaching position at the Honolulu Museum of Art School. I shared my interest with Pualei, who immediately pushed me to apply and helped me with my application, cover letter, resume, and course presentation. I was fortunate enough to land the position, and it quickly became one of my favorite jobs I have ever had. Every week, I get to share my passion for the arts with talented students while continuing to grow as an educator myself. The opportunity has also allowed me to become more connected to the arts community in Hawaiʻi.

07

Kualoa Beach Park

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

When I came to visit Pualei, I attended one of her Board and Stone classes, which happened to be at Kualoa Beach Park. I didn’t really know what was going on or what to expect, but everyone immediately welcomed me with a warm embrace. I met so many wonderful people and got to experience the spirit of aloha firsthand. While I had no idea what I was doing, everyone talked me through helping Pualei with her board and made me feel like I wasn’t an outsider. The second time Pualei took the course, I happened to be visiting again when they were at Kualoa Beach Park. The third time, we actually took the course together, with her serving as an alakaʻi and me taking the course from the beginning. It was a full-circle moment. The first two times I had only gotten a glimpse of the experience, but by the third, I was living on island and beginning to engrain myself in the community.

08

Kamehameha Kapālama

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

Kamehameha is a place I heard many stories about from Pualei. Growing up on Molokai, she was given the opportunity to attend as a boarding student, which brought her to Oʻahu. Now, years later, she teaches at the same school that provided her with so many opportunities and gets to give back to the next generation of students. I have had the chance to attend various events, support her students, meet her colleagues, and get a small glimpse of what makes the school so special. I also had the opportunity to create the logo for the Science Department, which allowed me to learn more about the history and culture of the school through a variety of research.

09

Leʻāhi

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

While I still haven’t made the hike to the top, Lēʻahi has become one of the views I most associate with where I now call home. I see it just about every day, whether driving downtown, heading to work, or simply going about my day. This iconic monument associated with Hawaiʻi has slowly become part of my everyday life. Even after seeing it countless times, I still find myself looking up at it and appreciating the view.

10

Philly

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

Growing up just outside of Philly, the city has always held a special place in my heart. From seeing Michael Jordan’s final basketball game and attending Elton John concerts with my mom, to countless Sixers games with my dad, many nights out with Sean and Kyle, to going to undergrad at UArts and eventually grad school at PAFA, so much of my life has been connected to the city. The iconic skyline always puts a smile on my face, whether I was driving back from Maryland or flying into the airport, seeing it always meant I was home. Getting to show Pualei the city that I had embraced for the majority of my life was a chance to help her understand a small portion of why I am the way I am.

11

ʻIolani Palace

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

The first time I ever saw Pualei perform hula was at ʻIolani Palace. A couple years later, we returned to take our engagement photos with our friends Marchelle and Brandon. They made the entire experience fun and easygoing, and Marchelle did an amazing job of capturing our personalities throughout the day. Aside from the history associated with this place, for me ʻIolani Palace has become connected to some of my favorite memories, from seeing Pualei perform hula for the first time to celebrating our engagement together.

12

Franklin Institute

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

When taking Pualei to Philly, we intentionally coordinated the trip so we could visit the Franklin Institute and take her to the Harry Potter exhibit. While it is mainly known for science, which is perfect for her, Harry Potter was the real reason we were there. It was adorable seeing her live out her Wizarding World fantasy, exploring the exhibit and getting to experience everything firsthand.

13

Starbucks

2026

Oil on canvas

4 x 4 in.

The Starbucks in Mānoa has become one of the places we consistently visit together. Every Saturday morning when we wake up, we immediately look at one another and battle over who can call dibs first, claiming the right to pay for our order. It has become part of our weekend routine, giving us a little boost of energy before starting our adventures and seeing where the day will take us.