Memorial Honors Heroic Act Of Bravery On The Anniversary Of The Lahaina Fires

MAUI, Hawaii - Aug. 6, 2024 - PRLog -- August 8th will mark the one-year anniversary of the tragic fires that engulfed the village of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui. Renowned American sculptor, Forest Boone has been commissioned by an anonymous donor to begin designing and rendering what will be known as The Lahaina Memorial. The initial rendering for his 3-part bronze sculptural installation visually depicts a true account of one Hawaiian child's bravery that day last August when tragic fires swept across Lahaina.

The bronze memorial tells an existential story of pure agape love and its ability to transmute all things physical. In Boone's bronze installation piece, the human spirit circumvents the material and the physical. The memorial itself, named Ascended Master, is about the pure intention and impulsive heroism of a young man who was thought to have used his physical body as a human shield, in order to protect his faithful dog from the heat of the fires. Although he and the dog both perished under the tree that day, their deaths were not in vain. One might go as far as saying that he gave his life to teach us about ourselves and about what the actions of a real hero look like, about spontaneous authenticity, and about what is truly important in life when it really comes down to it.

The piece offers hope and liberation from attachments, rising above today's confused priorities. The narrative conveyed in the piece not only recognizes but embraces, even celebrates, humankind's eventual mortality and transition. Boone's memorial, when it is realized about a year and a half from now, intentionally redirects our attention to the spirit realm, where all worldly clamors pale in comparison.

Ultimately, the visual image of this anonymous young man, the one depicted in bronze protecting his dog from the heat of the fire, has the ability to become a sacrificial icon for all the innocent children who tragically perished in the fires. The theme of the piece seems to dismiss earthly attachments, our temporary bodies included, and totally sidesteps the widespread confusion of our day by taking us to a place where, simply put, love wins.

Visitors will be granted the opportunity to leave a prayer while they reflect at the foot of the bronze memorial, as there will be an on-site prayer box for receiving those prayers. The physical site for the memorial has yet to be determined and will largely depend upon a humanitarian donor who comes forward within the next year or so. Organizers are now accepting sponsors.

In the interim, the townspeople grieve and begin to heal, which is why the need for a memorial exists.

About Forest Boone:
Forest Boone is an accomplished international sculptor. After having lived and worked in London, England, and Hawaii, he is currently based in Louisville, KY, focusing on creating bronze statues and memorials. In 2008, Boone completed a 136' monolithic escarpment sculpture on the island of Maui. After connecting with his Shawnee Indian heritage, Boone began creating Native American Ceremonial art and then went to Graduate school for Fine Art, concentrating on Sculpture, based on a minority fellowship. After leaving Graduate school, he started Forest Boone Studio and MuseumRock Products in 1999. His work took him to London in 2006 and Kauai in 2008-09. Learn more about Boone and his works at www.forestboonestudio.com or www.MuseumRock.com.