Whales on a Plane
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Posted by Evelyn Kanter May 14, 2007 |
Aloha Airlines has unveiled a truly unique work of art.. It is a Boeing 737-700 aircraft hand-painted by globally recognized marine life artist Wyland.
In a traditional blessing ceremony, Aloha bestowed the name Koholalele on the jetliner, which began flying between Hawaii and the West Coast this past weekend.
The name Koholalele means "flying or leaping whale", and it honors the humpback whale, an ancient visitor to Hawaii, considered by Hawaiians to be a kupuna, or elder, in its own right. Koholalele also is a place name for an area along the Hamakua Coast of the Big Island and the name of a wind that "leaps over the land" like a flying whale.
Each of Aloha's eight Boeing 737-700 aircraft is named for a Polynesian navigator. The name Koholalele recognizes the humpback whale as one of the great navigators of the ocean.
Wyland's design spans the entire102-foot length of the plane, with nearly life-size depictions of humpback whales, bottle-nose dolphins, spinner dolphins, tiger sharks, Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles, plus Hawaiian reef fish and a Laysan albatross. The artist painted the aircraft, working day and night, over a two-day period.
A pioneer in the environmental movement for more than 30 years, Wyland previously painted an America's Cup racing yacht but this is his first plane. Back on land, the famous muralist has completed 95 of his ocean murals and is closing in on his goal of creating the 100th of his landmark Whaling Walls, a massive, pre-Olympics project being planned in Beijing.
There are an estimated 400,000 collectors of his art in 70 countries. Perhaps more than any other artist, Wyland has raised the planet's environmental consciousness with regard to the oceans and their inhabitants..
"Nothing is as elemental to an island state as the ocean, which surrounds us, nourishes us and provides recreation and inspiration. We urge everyone to join in efforts to protect and preserve Hawaii's irreplaceable marine life," said the Wyland, a surfing and diving enthusiast who lives on Oahu.
Aloha Airlines, which has been flying for 61 years, undertook the project as a symbol of the community's commitment to preserving the ocean environment. The airline also is supporting the Wyland Foundation, dedicated to protecting and preserving the world's oceans, waterways, and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through education programs, life-size public arts projects, and community events.
Aloha Airlines flies between the Islands of Hawaii and between Hawaii cities in California and Nevada. For more information about Wyland, go to