On the island of Hawai’i, residents of the rural region of Kohala deliberated how best to conserve a statue of King Kamehameha I—a hero revered as the indigenous unifier of the Hawai’ian islands and native son to Kohala: should the statue be restored to gilded bronze, the original intent of the mainland artist; or should it be repainted in life-like colors, thereby continuing a longstanding community tradition? Through the respectful collaboration of the Hawai’i Alliance for Arts Education, conservator Glenn Wharton, and the Kohala community's leaders and cultural practitioners, multiple gatherings and activities were designed to engage local residents in the decision-making process. Exploring the question of whether to paint or gild the statue helped to deepen understanding of Hawai’ian history and its connection to cultural identity and traditions. As a result, the links between cultural identity, heritage preservation, and current issues of land and economic development became even clearer. The project fostered a heightened sense of responsibility toward the statue, which has, in turn, helped people to see their role in the larger issues of cultural preservation facing Kohala. 

This case study, written by Animating Democracy Co-Director Pam Korza, points to the potency of history and traditional cultural forms as vehicles for connecting the past to the present and the future. It reveals how historical, social, and political structures affect public participation in civic matters today and how cultural grounding can empower disenfranchised groups to participate in civic life. In addition, the project illuminates the importance of understanding and respecting cultural norms of communication and exchange that affect how people engage in civic matters.