E'ho mai

E’ho mai, 12”x12” oil on canvas, Paradise Lost series, 2025.
 
"E'ho mai" is a Hawaiian chant that means"Come to me" or "Grant me". This chant symbolizes a connection to the spiritual realm, seeking guidance, protection, or blessings from the ancestors or gods. It’s often sung to invoke a sense of peace, harmony, and respect for the land and sea. 
 
This painting is part of Khawaja’s "Paradise Lost" series, which she began painting in 2023. Rooted in Hawaiian culture and wildlife, the series explores themes of loss and renewal, using bold hyperbolic figures, vivid colors, cultural symbols, and native species to narrate the story of the island's endangered heritage, language, and traditions. The series reflects on the delicate intersection of Hawaiian culture and its vulnerable environment, emphasizing the critical need for the revival and preservation of both cultural and ecological legacies.