Artist Patrick Ching critiques Jordan Gomes' coloring book
work while Jordan's mom Pam and sister Kalokulani listen.
Artist Patrick Ching critiques Jordan Gomes' coloring book
work while Jordan's mom Pam and sister Kalokulani listen.
There, where the sun rises on Oahu, also rises the phoenix. The Naturally Hawaiian Gallery & Gifts shop (41-1025 Kalanianaole) emerged from the skeleton of a gas station that had closed down some six years ago. The refurbished complex reopened May 11 about 50 yards past Waimanalo polo field and houses a thoughtful selection of local arts, crafts, gift items and autographed books.
Ching, 34, is a U.S. Fish &Wildlife Service ranger, award-winning painter and author of seven books, most of them for children.
Ching's brother Mike, a professional Santa, drums up business
for the artist's Waimanalo gallery.
"You know, I was one of the hyperactive, rascal kids, and so I can relate to them. I know this is what a hyperactive kid grows up (to be) sometimes," he says in quiet self-acknowledgment.
Ching says, "Not that I know of," to those who ask if he is of Hawaiian ancestry. Caucasian-looking with soft brown eyes and curly lashes, he claims to be half Portuguese, one-quarter Chinese and one-quarter various "other" ethnicities. His ecumenical approach to the holidays stems from his years as a ranger and his sense of mutually nurturing the indigenous wildlife and environment of Hawaii.
Nanea Sai of Kuliouou browses through Patrick Ching's
shop and gallery in Waimanalo.
"I really look forward to decorating and to having just different people on the property. I think Christmas ... every day is Thanksgiving to me: I'm really thankful for every person waiting for the bus who hangs out, for every person who steps foot on this property - whether or not it's (for) financial reward. I mean, I never came here expecting to get rich. Money is not the priority; of course, you need it to keep going. (But) you get so many other rewards that if money were your only priority, it wouldn't be worth doing. But just the people that come onto the property is my reward - having people come and share."
Ching, like the phoenix, has risen from the ashes twice - from the devastation of Hurricane Iniki, which sparked his move to Waimanalo four years ago, and from the debilitation of a bull-riding accident two months ago.
"There's definitely lessons to be learned and I think the main one is just keep remembering your vision - the positive vision you had. When things get tough, just think about that good vision you had, and don't stop till you get it. I totally believe that it will come very close to my vision.
"You just have no choice but to work really hard, especially at the beginning. You cannot let up, you can't roll over and die, you have a responsibility to the people who have invested in you, to the people who work with you and to the community. You're not just going to abandon this community. You started something here and they want to see good things and they want their kids to get involved."
Patrick Ching with his "duck stamp."
In the back of his gallery, he and friends cleaned out a former auto body garage and transformed it into a large, covered, open-air workshop area, about 25 by 75 feet. There he plans to start painting classes in February, followed by children's art and craft classes.
Indeed, Ching's early community Christmas party celebrated his agenda on the multimillenia theme: "A child is born..."
"Yeah, the kids here are my big reward and - they don't even know it yet," he laughs. "I hope we can get a mural project together with the kids from Waimanalo. Heck, we'll make a wall if we don't have one," he laughs again.