STUDIO AHILELE

Before its creation, it took a long time to figure out a name, as Kēhau wanted it to be something that fit the intentions of the studio, give a sense of wonder that she hoped that future studio projects would evoke, and be related to her family and home. She chose ahi lele because it is related to a story from her home on Kauaʻi. Ahi lele is a phrase that has been used to describe the ʻōahi (firebrands) that were thrown over cliffs to create a spectacle that was similar to fireworks. A particularly famous spot for ʻōahi is Kamaile, a peak on the Nā Pali coast overlooking Nuʻalolo Kai. The valleys of the Nā Pali coast are important to her family for historical and cultural reasons, and she has her own personal sentimental reasons for cherishing those places. As ʻōahi were used during times of celebration which invokes a feeling of excitement, and ahi lele has a relation to her home and cherished memories, the studio was named!