Kuhane Blackburn

An accomplished 17-year-old, Kuhane Blackburn is developing a substantial education in architecture, which blossomed with the influence of his artistic parents and a prestigious summer session at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin architectural school, where he was able to meet curator John Rattenbury and architectural photographer Julius Schulman. Kuhane Blackburn's personal love of culture and traveling also contributes to his well-rounded life. Kuhane Blackburn assists his mother Carolyn in her Mauna Kea Galleries, selecting rare and unique Polynesian pieces to add to the art gallery’s collection. The Mauna Kea Galleries currently stocks the world's largest inventory of original Hawaiian and Polynesian objects, such as Hula Lamps from the 1930s and stone artifacts from as far back as the 18th century, as well as vintage surfboards and other memorabilia. Kuhane Blackburn also took part in the interior design of his family's first home, demonstrating his natural talent and creativity and gaining the attention of Hawaii Home + Remodeling Magazine in 2006. Kuhane Blackburn plans to attend Georgia's Savannah College of Art and Design in 2010 where he will major in architecture for a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Kuhane Blackburn has also applied his academic fervor to his personal life, becoming an active member of the Sierra Club and Hawaii Audubon Society. Blackburn and his family participate yearly in the care of local, federally protected seabirds that make their home on Hawaii's Black Point nature lot. Kuhane Blackburn's efforts to clean and restore the lot have been recognized by the Journal of the Hawaii Audubon Society.