I discovered Kalae working behind the counter at the local garden store in the town of Kane’ohe. At the time I was working on the early sketches for the print, “Waiting for Moments of Gladness”, and Kalae fit the image I had in my mind of what the main subject should look like. A paddler and juniors coach with the Lanikai Canoe Club, Kalae has proven to be one of my most striking models. A mix of Hawaiian and Korean, Kalae has the beautifully full features and warm tone of the Hawaiians coupled with incredibly piercing and expressive eyes. I found during our photo shoots that his face could easily wash with the warmest smile and with the subtlest shift of muscles he could give an expression that would freeze your blood. Just amazing!

He appears in the print: ”Waiting for Moments of Gladness”.