 CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
This dragon statue stands guard at Kukui Tower, on the corner of North Kukui Street and Nuuanu Avenue. The statue is a symbol of the community's effort to reclaim their neighborhood, and it will be dedicated in a blessing ceremony today. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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Residents erect a downtown sentry
A 30-foot dragon is a symbol of protection for a downtown spot
A 30-foot dragon statue stands guard at Nuuanu Avenue and North Kukui Street to ward off evil spirits and give protection to the downtown community, part of an effort by residents to reclaim their neighborhood.
A year ago at the same corner, Honolulu police said, 24-year-old Daniel Trulove was shot by a pimp just before midnight after an argument involving a prostitute. In June, four boys were hospitalized after being struck by a car that jumped a curb.
"That particular intersection is accident prone, and a lot of prostitutes hang around there at night," said Wiwik Bunjamin-Mau, community facilitator for Hawaii Arts Alliance. "It's not the safest place."
A blessing ceremony for the dragon is being held today at noon at 35 N. Kukui St., and will include the opening of the dragon's eyes. The Chinese do this by putting red dots on the eyes, which is meant to give life to the dragon.
"Chinese believe the dragon is a symbol of protection," Bunjamin-Mau said.
 CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARBULLETIN.COM
This dragon mounted at Kukui Tower overlooks a corner of North Kukui Street and Nuuanu Avenue "taken back" by residents after a fatal shooting, fights, prostitution and other incidents. Kirk Holto, left, Louise Li, Venus Jacob and Karen Belanger yesterday unveiled the dragon, which will be dedicated today. CLICK FOR LARGE |
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About 5,000 residents live within two blocks of this corner. Central Middle School is nearby, and many students walk home to Kukui Gardens and other residential high-rise buildings. Longs and Safeway are also in the area and shoppers say they often see prostitutes hanging around.
"The prostitutes are the major issue," said Frank Lavoie, vice chairman of the Downtown Neighborhood Board. "The police have made a big push in the last few months. The neighbors have said it has improved."
Lavoie is proud that his neighborhood is taking a stand, and also wants the community to know that it is not an area to avoid at night. There are many great businesses and things to do, and when the good crowds are drawn to the downtown area at night, it makes the neighborhood a safer place, he said.
According to Bunjamin-Mau, the goal was to create a symbol that was culturally appropriate for the area and that the community could participate in creating. The dragon is made out of Styrofoam and chicken wire, and is covered with a waterproof cloth. Forty children from Chinatown and three artists -- Karen Lucas, Maile Yawata, and Quala-Lynn Young -- designed and created the statue. The skin of the dragon was painted by participants of First Friday in the Park.
"It's a brilliant installation design by the artists," Bunjamin-Mau said. "It took only three weeks to make."
The project was organized by The ARTS at Marks Garage, a project of the Hawaii Arts Alliance in conjunction with EAH Housing, and the "Weed and Seed" program, with support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts.
