Editor’s Note: This column is a departure from the traditional Strictly format. Peter submitted two projects, and we debated which one to use. They incorporate different materials and techniques, so it seemed appropriate to feature both. We’ll include an introductory description of each project, and then refer technical descriptions to the photo’s accompanying captions. Going forward, there may be some step-by-step case studies better suited to a predominantly visual presentation. Feedback would be much appreciated; contact Sr. Associate Editor Steve Aust at steve.aust@stmediagroup.com.
Ka’anapali Beach
Located on the Hawaiian island of Maui, the Ka’anapali Beach Hotel is the most authentically Hawaiian resort on the island. Its general manager, Mike White, who grew up on the island, understands the value of honoring Hawaiian culture, and the importance of providing an authentically Hawaiian experience to visitors. The hotel incorporates a cultural-review committee, called Pookela, to make sure everything is “pono” (“correct”). The committee wished to incorporate a mandala logo into a new monument sign. The logo derives from a kukui nut tree, which symbolizes light and knowledge. The oil from its nuts was burned in stone lanterns that illuminated Hawaiian houses.
We chose to fabricate the sign from Black Pearl Essence stone. The ancient Hawaiians used no metal; they fashioned their tools and weapons from stone. Many other Hawaiian resorts feature stud-mounted, metal letters; we’ve made some from titanium. Metal letters are problematic in this climate because salt water loves to devour metal and studs. We’ve replaced too many letters, so we chose to fabricate sand-carved granite.
The Dirty Monkey
The Dirty Monkey is an as-yet unopened bar and restaurant in Lahaina, an historic district on Maui. Located on Front St., it faces the ocean and resides amidst several historic buildings. During the 1800s, Lahaina was a major whaling port. During Hawaii’s Kamehameha monarchy of the time, Lahaina was Hawaii’s original capital. Lahaina’s Historical District implements strict sign codes in an effort to replicate the atmosphere of an old whaling village. Its Planning Division must approve all proposed signs; any disputes are referred to the Cultural Resources Commission. Each business is allowed one, single-sided, 12-sq.-ft- and one, double-sided, 8-sq.-ft. sign.
Initially, officials refused my proposal, and the project came under fierce scrutiny. I wasn’t given a reason for the refusal – only a vague mention of them not being “historically correct”. After approximately four decades of making signs in Hawaii, this was the first rejection I’d received. The planning department included new members who’d created new codes, about which I was unaware. Thinking I was in compliance, I’d already fabricated a Dirty Monkey panel.
Because redwood has become harder to obtain in Hawaii, many recently made Hawaiian signs feature cheap plywood decorated with printed faces, which degrade quickly in our climate. I’m one of the last remaining signpainters on the island. I gave the commission a close look at the sign, and emphasized its high-quality craftsmanship.
Eventually, it became clear they simply didn’t like the name Dirty Monkey. Attempting to persuade them, I spun a yarn about a sailor on a ship called the Goliath, who had a monkey named Dingo who drank beer and made crude gestures – and charmed a group of hula girls who put a lei around his neck. They discovered the story was a ruse, but compromised and approved the sign on the condition that I change the sky to gray-blue and make the lei less colorful.
EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS
Coatings: Kilz® water-based primer, from Masterchem Industries (Santa Ana, CA), (866) 977-3711 or www.kilz.com; slow size and Italian, 23k goldleaf, from Art Essentials of New York (Airmont, NY), (845) 368-1100 or www.artessentialsofnewyork.com; 1Shot® lettering
enamel, from Matthews Paint (Delaware, OH), (800) 323-6593 or www.signpaint.com; quick-drying size and burnishing color, from Rolco (Carlstadt, NJ), (201) 939-7704 or www.rolcolabs.com; clearcoat varnish, from Akzo Nobel (Troy, MI), (800) 618-1010 or www.signfinishes.com
Fabrication: Vinyl Express cutting plotter, available from www.signwarehouse.com; Anchor Continental 117 sandblast mask, from Inteplast Polymer Group (Marysville, MI), (800) 474-8273; air compressor, from Ingersoll-Rand (Cincinnati), (513) 459-4580 or www.ingersollrandproducts.com; sandblasting equipment, from Clemco Industries (Washington, MO), (636) 239-0300 or www.clemcoindustries.com; silica-sand abrasive, from sandblasting and industrial-fabrication suppliers
Substrates: Black Pearl Essence stone, from stone foundries; redwood panels, from such suppliers as Allwood Sign Blanks (Errington, BC, Canada), (800) 528-6699 or www.allwoodsignblanks.com; epoxy resin, from West System Inc. (Bay City, MI), (989) 671-4060 or www.westsysteminc.com; orbital sander and sandpaper, from hardware and home-improvement stores