Old Kahala Home 1928

Arman Manookian's "Old Kahala Home" from 1928 is alive with color and light. Manookian, an Armenian artist who tragically died by suicide at only 26, was deeply affected by the cultural dynamics of 1920s Hawai'i. Here, his modernist lens captures a local home nestled within the lush landscape of Kahala. The painting offers a glimpse into the complex relationship between the burgeoning tourism industry and the displacement of native traditions. Manookian doesn't shy away from depicting the realities of a society undergoing rapid change, as the commodification of paradise threatened indigenous ways of life. One can imagine Manookian grappling with his place within this changing landscape, torn between the allure of progress and a deep respect for Hawaiian culture. This painting invites us to reflect on the legacies of colonialism and cultural exchange, reminding us of the human stories embedded within landscapes of paradise.