Article Photos

"I received this commision seven years ago, back when I was 76 years old," says Satoru Abe as he uses a pair of needle-nose pliers and a ball pein hammer to bend a bronze leaf into just the right position.

The humble, 83-year-old Oahu painter and sculptor stands atop a scaffolding at Maui Community College, leading a team of volunteer helpers as he installs his piece titled "A Path Through the Trees." When the leaf is arranged to his satisfaction, he uses a torch and rod to braze it into permanent place.

Occasionally students stroll by, turning their heads to take in the scene as a metallic forest springs to life in the middle of their campus.

"We're just delighted," says MCC Chancellor Clyde Sakamoto. "Aren't they beautiful? We're just thrilled to have the sculpture right at our entrance on the Ka'ahumanu side. We think it's a big addition to arts in the community."

The sculpture includes five bronze trees that weigh 800 pounds each and range in height up to 12 feet. The trees are displayed in a circle around a pair of bronze islands that represent the island's two dominating peaks, Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains.

Abe says the space between the mountains is the "path between the trees." The sculptures are bolted securely to a concrete pad that features recessed floodlights. The artwork was commissioned by the State Foundation of the Arts.

"This is probably the largest sculpture I've done," Abe said. "There's two reasons for that. The first is this is the last commission I will take. And the other part is safety, so no student can reach up and touch the leaves. That's why they are so tall.

"I drove by the other day, and you can see it from every place. I thought it would get lost on that campus, but it doesn't."

Sakamoto says the college is honored to display a piece by such a renowned Hawaii artist.

"He's one of Hawaii's treasures in terms of sculpture and art," Sakamoto said. "He was in that original group that was in New York with Tadashi Sato. To have one of his sculptures end up on our campus is just a huge coup for the college and our community."

Abe says he has many fond memories of Maui's legendary artist Tadashi Sato. Abe and Sato were members of the "Metcalf Chateau," a group of Hawaii artists who developed their style and reputation in New York City before returning home to Hawaii. Also part of the group were Bumpei Akaji, Edmund Chung, Tetsuo Ochikubo, Jerry T. Okimoto and James Park. Though Sato passed away in 2005, Abe says that when he flies to Maui he still kind of expects Tadashi to be there at Kahului Airport ready to pick him up.

"I miss Tadashi Sato," Abe says with a sigh. "Every time I go to Maui, he was waiting for me with a beer in his hand. We go back about 55 years. Here in Honolulu, I think he is still there. We had many good times."

Friends Ron Smith, Zane Mukai and Gary Akita were on hand last week to help Abe install the piece at MCC. Mukai, a Kula businessman whose art collection includes both Abe and Sato's works, praised Abe for his Zen-like demeanor.

"He's just a gentleman," Mukai said. "He makes me feel at ease. He's a good man, a great man. I'm an admirer."

Another Abe piece can be found on the campus of Maui High School, this one depicting a solo tree. Abe says he not sure when the tree was installed at Maui High, but less than two years after, it was left bare when all of its bronze leaves were plucked. Abe and his crew visited the campus two years ago to restore the sculpture by welding on new leaves.

He says that if "A Path Through the Trees" needs some touch-up work in the coming years, Maui metal artist Smith has agreed to tend to the duty. In his humble way, Abe says that's a fitting way to be remembered. When asked if he ever thought about how his sculpture would speak to future generations, Abe took a moment to think before replying.

"Not really. You know, I've always felt that if somebody thinks it is worth fixing, that is nice."

Sakamoto said "A Path Through the Trees" is to be dedicated "sometime in August." When Abe returns for the dedication, he is scheduled to conduct several classes for MCC students.

* Matthew Thayer can be reached at matthayer@mauinews.com.