Oil and silk on linen - framed
40" h x 40" w

Oil on linen
48" h x 72" w

Oil on wood in gold frame
12" h x 12" w (14" framed)

This scarlet hibiscus grows as a shrub or small 10 – 20 ft. tall tree with solitary flowers near the end of branches.  As with all hibiscus, the striking flower has a single column with five, fuzzy pollen-laden stamens and petals which fuse at a star-shaped base.  The plant is found in both wet and dry native forests in Hawai`i and is considered a species of concern by biologists. - Melissa Chimera

Oil on wood in gold frame
12" h x 12" w (14" framed)

There are 200 species of hibiscus found in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The Hawaiian islands are home to five endemic species, all of which are considered rare or endangered.  Kokio ke`o ke`o (meaning “white hibiscus") has a crimson column of slender stamens and fuzzy, brushlike red stigmas above five white petals.  The petals’ texture is softly creped and tinged with pink at the interior. A sweet, subtle perfume emanates from the flowers.  Found only in the Wai`anae and Ko`olau mountains on O`ahu, its native mesic and wet forest mountain habitat is increasingly rare. - Melissa Chimera

Oil on wood in gold frame
12" h x 12" w (14" framed)

Maʻo, or Hawaiian cotton blooms from late summer through winter. It is a small shrub found in mostly dry, leeward habitats.  Brown capsules containing light brown fuzzy seeds follow the blooming period. The early Hawaiians used the leaves for a light green (ʻōmaʻomaʻo) or a rich red-brown dye to pattern their native kapa, or bark cloth.  Although Hawaiians didn’t make cotton textiles from ma‘o, the species none-the-less helped to save the cotton industry in modern times. When maʻo is crossed with other cotton strains, the resulting commercial hybrids are less attractive to insect pests that destroy cotton crops. - Melissa Chimera

Oil on canvas in white frame
24" h x 36" w

There are perhaps as many as 300 species worldwide in the genus Hibiscus. However, ma`o hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is found only in Hawai`i and federally listed as an endangered species. According to botanist David Lorence, “Hibsicus brackenridgei has been adopted as the official state flower of Hawai`i.  Showy blooms of brilliant chrome yellow first catch the eye. [The species has] five delicately creped petals and a column of stamens tipped by five stigmas."  The plant was once found on all the main islands except Ni`ihau and Kaho`olawe, but is threatened by alien animals, fire and weeds. - Melissa Chimera

Oil on linen in white frame
42" h x 18" w

Hawaiian lobelioids are prolific, comprising at least 115 species.  Lobelia hypoleuca is the most widespread of this group, known from the upland rainforests and mesic forests of the six largest Hawaiian Islands.  The curved lilac flower clusters emerge from a single stalk. The leaves have white undersides, referring to the silver belly of its marine namesake `opelu, the Hawaiian Mackerel Scad.  The plant family one of the most spectacular examples of island evolution in flowering plants with curved flowers matching the bill of their bird pollinators who drink the nectar within.  - Melissa Chimera

Oil on canvas in white frame
36" h x 48" w

"The Hawaiian poppy called pua kala (thorny flower) has sharp spines at the tips of the leaves.  It thrives in some of the most dry and desolate areas near sea level. Archibald Menzies, a visiting botanist in the 1800s, found a Hawaiian woman manipulating the flowers of this native poppy. And when he asked what she was doing, she informed him that by taking the `ehu, that is the dust, the pollen from one flower to another would increase the number of edible seeds.  This is a glimpse of the intimacy of the empirical science of the Hawaiians and their living landscape.” -- Dr. Sam Gon

Provided by Melissa Chimera

Oil and silk on linen - framed
40" h x 40" w

Oil on canvas in black float frame
36" h x 48" w

"The species of Hawaiian crow, once on the verge of extinction, has been the subject of intensive captive breeding programs to boost their numbers to over 125 in captivity," shares Melissa. "Revered in Hawaiian culture and the last of its kind, two birds Mana`olana and Manaiakalani were observed in May of this year tending to a nest and eggs–a first ever in the wild and cause for hope that the ‘alalā may once more thrive in the Hawaiian forest."

Oil on canvas in white frame
30" h x 48" w

Cyanea macrostegia is known formerly from Lāna`i but now found only on Maui.   Dark velvet purple-black curved flowers emerge from this rain forest tree.  The nectar of these unusual flowers and the orange berries are food for Hawaiian forest birds.  These palm-like trees with paddle-shaped leaves are evocative of a pre-historic jungle.  The species is now only found in a healthy and diverse rain-forest. Lobelioids are one of the most spectacular examples of island evolution in flowering plants with curved flowers matching the bill of their bird pollinators.  - Melissa Chimera