"Mamane Tree and Galaxy" - 31.5" X 25.5" tall Original Oil On Canvas with Koa Frame

Mamane Tree and the Galaxy

Mamane wood is dense and yellow—traditionally used in tools, weapons, and carvings. The tree has been the subject of Hawaiian chants, mele (songs), and paintings. Trees like māmane embody the resilience and sacredness of highland forests, especially on revered volcanoes like Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

The māmane tree—a special one, for sure. It’s not just a plant; it’s a keystone species in the high-elevation ecosystems of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island of Hawai‘i.

Māmane grows in dry, alpine shrublands and forests—some of the most extreme environments in Hawai‘i. Think cold nights, volcanic soils, intense UV, and limited water. Yet, it thrives.

The galaxy over Mauna Kea isn’t just any night sky—it’s one of the clearest, darkest, and most sacred stargazing spots on Earth. Here's the beauty, science, and soul of what you're seeing when you look up from the slopes of Mauna Kea. Most likely, when people talk about "the galaxy over Mauna Kea," they’re referring to the view of the Milky Way, our own galaxy—an epic, luminous river of stars arching across the sky.