“Reflections in Stone and Bronze can serve as a field guide to visit and revisit old friends (or rivals) and new acquaintances embodied in these descriptions. The statues offer a path for the curious who want to learn more about Hawaii’s heritage and sometimes forgotten aspects of his history. The statues encourage thoughtful contemplation with stories that offer inspiration and encouragement, and also stories of sadness disappointment, and loss.”
Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director, Historical Hawai’i Foundation
Reflections in Stone and Bronze
Cheryl Soon, Ph.D., FAICP
Cheryl Soon’s recently released Reflections in Stone and Bronze epitomizes the many ways in which SSFM and its employees express our respect for Hawaii’s rich history. Reflections in Stone and Bronze: Exploring Hawai‘i’s History and Culture Through Sculpture, is an insightful look at sixty statues depicting figures of significance to Oahu’s legacy. Since its May 2022 release, it has generated considerable interest in the media and is sure to appeal to a wide range of kamaaina and visitors interested in Hawai‘i’s past.
Cheryl Soon, Ph.D., FAICP, is a certified planner (a Fellow in the American Institute of City Planning) who has devoted her professional career to shaping the character and quality of the built environment. She was well known in her roles as Director of the Department of Transportation Services and Chief Planning Officer for the City & County of Honolulu, Deputy Director for Highways for the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation and Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Cheryl has been a practice leader within SSFM International since 2008.
Her passion for identifying workable solutions that can move planning visions into action and implementation has been her professional mission, particularly on Oahu. Cheryl’s focus on placemaking and creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being brought about her fascination with the role of statues in the public domain. The growing debate over controversial historical figures, particularly those associated with the confederacy, led Cheryl to an in-depth exploration of Oahu’s statues.
Hover on the images below to learn more about the stautes.
“Cheryl Soon’s Reflections in Stone and Bronze is a remarkable, well researched fascinating and entertaining account of Hawai’i’s history through its statues. The brilliant amalgam of sprawling networks of prominent personalities honored and stone and bronze forms a storytelling time tunnel from 1884-2018. It’s a must read of Hawai’i’s controversial political, religious, multiethnic, economic, and social history.”
Peter Apo, musician and former government official
“A growing number of travelers from around the world come to Hawai’i in search of new knowledge and experiences that are authentic and meaningful. In Reflections in Stone and Bronze each statue that is depicted serves as a unique portal into Hawaii’s history and traditions. The author has found and elevated the voices of these “silent storytellers” from which the reader can gain rare historical insights and a greater sense of place and appreciation for our island communities”
John De Fries president and CEO, Hawai’i Tourism Authority
Kamehameha The Great
Kamehameha The Great, gold gilded bronze statue was the first western style statue in Hawaii. Commissioned by King David Kalakaua and created by Thomas Gould, it is located in downtown Honolulu. Other versions are located in Kapaau, Hilo, and at the US Capitol. Each year on June 11th his statues enjoy a lei draping ceremony to celebrate Kamehameha Day.
Queen Liliuokalani
Queen Liliuokalani was the last ruling royal figure of Hawaii. Her beautiful six-foot-high sculpture created by Marianna Pineda is located between the State Capitol and Iolani Palace.
Saint Damien
Saint Damien, Father Joseph DeVeuster is an iconic statue by Marisol Escobar who won the widely contested competition. There are two copies: one at Hawaii State Capitol and one in the US Capitol in Washington DC. It was created in 1969 when SSFM was just ten years old.
St. Francis of Assisi Francis
St. Francis of Assisi Francis (patron saint of animals) has multiple statues on Oahu, the most notable being those at the Humane Society and at St. Francis Healthcare Systems in Kalihi, not far from SSFM’s office. The Kalihi version is unique in that the artist, Sister Rosaire Kopczenski, placed Hawaiian animals around him: a Pueo (owl), a Mynah bird, and a Nene goose.
Duke Kahanamoku
Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikiki celebrates his accomplishments as a surfer and an Olympic swimmer. This year a movie called Waterman was released celebrating his life and his achievements. Duke’s statue is the #1 selfie location in Hawaii.
Patsy Mink
Patsy Mink was the first woman of color elected to Congress. She participated in the passage of much of the 1960s Great Society legislation.
Through Reflections in Stone and Bronze, Cheryl delivers her examination of sixty statues, beautifully photographed by Renea Gavrilov Stewart, that grace a variety of settings throughout Oahu. The book is at once a guide to the statues, describing their origins, creators and the exploits that deemed them worthy of celebration, but it is also a guidebook to the Island; an historical tome presented from an entirely different perspective on Oahu’s past; and a fine art folio with its dramatic photos of the monuments.
The diversity of Cheryl’s subjects is engaging: Luminaries from King Kamehameha to slack-key musician Gabby “Pops” Pahinui are among the pantheon of figures she has identified as seminal to Hawaii’s legacy. She categorizes subjects into four groups: Royals who ruled the Islands; religious and spiritual figures from the faith groups in Hawaii; musicians and entertainers who influenced Hawaii’s distinct style; and statues honoring national and international persons who made a difference to the evolution of Hawaii.
Cheryl will be signing her books at da Shop in Kaimuki on August 6 at 2 PM. https://dashophnl.com/
View Cheryl discussing Oahu’s iconic statues
ABOUT THE BOOK
Hawaii Public Radio: Local author maps Hawaiʻi’s history through notable statues
Honolulu Civil Beat: Denby Fawcett: New Book Reveals History Behind Each Of Oahu’s 60 Statues
BUY NOW
Reflections in Stone and Bronze
Cheryl Soon, Ph.D., FAICP
Cheryl Soon’s recently released Reflections in Stone and Bronze epitomizes the many ways in which SSFM and its employees express our respect for Hawaii’s rich history. Reflections in Stone and Bronze: Exploring Hawai‘i’s History and Culture Through Sculpture, is an insightful look at sixty statues depicting figures of significance to Oahu’s legacy. Since its May 2022 release, it has generated considerable interest in the media and is sure to appeal to a wide range of kamaaina and visitors interested in Hawai‘i’s past.
Cheryl Soon, Ph.D, FAICP, is a certified planner (a Fellow in the American Institute of City Planning) who has devoted her professional career to shaping the character and quality of the built environment. She was well known in her roles as Director of the Department of Transportation Services and Chief Planning Officer for the City & County of Honolulu, Deputy Director for Highways for the State of Hawaii Department of Transportation and Executive Director of the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization. Cheryl has been a practice leader within SSFM International since 2008.
Her passion for identifying workable solutions that can move planning visions into action and implementation has been her professional mission, particularly on Oahu. Cheryl’s focus on placemaking and creating public spaces that promote people’s health, happiness, and well-being brought about her fascination with the role of statues in the public domain. The growing debate over controversial historical figures, particularly those associated with the confederacy, led Cheryl to an in-depth exploration of Oahu’s statues.
Hover on the images below to learn more about the stautes.
Kamehameha The Great
Kamehameha The Great, gold gilded bronze statue was the first western style statue in Hawaii. Commissioned by King David Kalakaua and created by Thomas Gould, it is located in downtown Honolulu. Other versions are located in Kapaau, Hilo, and at the US Capitol. Each year on June 11th his statues enjoy a lei draping ceremony to celebrate Kamehameha Day.
Queen Liliuokalani
Queen Liliuokalani was the last ruling royal figure of Hawaii. Her beautiful six-foot-high sculpture created by Marianna Pineda is located between the State Capitol and Iolani Palace.
Duke Kahanamoku
Duke Kahanamoku statue in Waikiki celebrates his accomplishments as a surfer and an Olympic swimmer. This year a movie called Waterman was released celebrating his life and his achievements. Duke’s statue is the #1 selfie location in Hawaii.
Saint Damien
Saint Damien, Father Joseph DeVeuster is an iconic statue by Marisol Escobar who won the widely contested competition. There are two copies: one at Hawaii State Capitol and one in the US Capitol in Washington DC. It was created in 1969 when SSFM was just ten years old.
St. Francis of Assisi Francis
St. Francis of Assisi Francis (patron saint of animals) has multiple statues on Oahu, the most notable being those at the Humane Society and at St. Francis Healthcare Systems in Kalihi, not far from SSFM’s office. The Kalihi version is unique in that the artist, Sister Rosaire Kopczenski, placed Hawaiian animals around him: a Pueo (owl), a Mynah bird, and a Nene goose.
Patsy Mink
Patsy T. Mink is a 1.2 life-size scale bronze sculpture of Patsy Mink standing and speaking with arms outstretched to symbolize her love and engagement of Hawaii’s community.
“Cheryl Soon’s Reflections in Stone and Bronze is a remarkable, well researched fascinating and entertaining account of Hawai’i’s history through its statues. The brilliant amalgam of sprawling networks of prominent personalities honored and stone and bronze forms a storytelling time tunnel from 1884-2018. It’s a must read of Hawai’i’s controversial political, religious, multiethnic, economic, and social history.”
Peter Apo, musician and former government official
“Reflections in Stone and Bronze can serve as a field guide to visit and revisit old friends (or rivals) and new acquaintances embodied in these descriptions. The statues offer a path for the curious who want to learn more about Hawaii’s heritage and sometimes forgotten aspects of his history. The statues encourage thoughtful contemplation with stories that offer inspiration and encouragement, and also stories of sadness disappointment, and loss.”
Kiersten Faulkner, Executive Director, Historical Hawai’i Foundation
“A growing number of travelers from around the world come to Hawai’i in search of new knowledge and experiences that are authentic and meaningful. In Reflections in Stone and Bronze each statue that is depicted serves as a unique portal into Hawaii’s history and traditions. The author has found and elevated the voices of these “silent storytellers” from which the reader can gain rare historical insights and a greater sense of place and appreciation for our island communities”
John De Fries president and CEO, Hawai’i Tourism Authority
Through Reflections in Stone and Bronze, Cheryl delivers her examination of sixty statues, beautifully photographed by Renea Gavrilov Stewart, that grace a variety of settings throughout Oahu. The book is at once a guide to the statues, describing their origins, creators and the exploits that deemed them worthy of celebration, but it is also a guidebook to the Island; an historical tome presented from an entirely different perspective on Oahu’s past; and a fine art folio with its dramatic photos of the monuments.
The diversity of Cheryl’s subjects is engaging: Luminaries from King Kamehameha to slack-key musician Gabby “Pops” Pahinui are among the pantheon of figures she has identified as seminal to Hawaii’s legacy. She categorizes subjects into four groups: Royals who ruled the Islands; religious and spiritual figures from the faith groups in Hawaii; musicians and entertainers who influenced Hawaii’s distinct style; and statues honoring national and international persons who made a difference to the evolution of Hawaii.
Cheryl will be signing her books at da Shop in Kaimuki on August 6 at 2 PM. https://dashophnl.com/
ABOUT THE BOOK
Hawaii Public Radio: Local author maps Hawaiʻi’s history through notable statues
Honolulu Civil Beat: Denby Fawcett: New Book Reveals History Behind Each Of Oahu’s 60 Statues
BUY NOW