The work of BYU–Hawaii Art Professor Viliami Tolutau will be enjoyed by hundreds of people for years to come at an O’ahu elementary school. On February 3, 2012, Brother Tolutau presented a sculpture of Ho‘okō‘ana o Māuiakalana, or the accomplishments of Māuiakalana, at a ceremony held at Nānāikapono Elementary School in Waianae. He was commissioned by the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts as part of their Art in Public Places program. The program works in conjunction with the Artists in Residence program that highlights and places artwork created by local artists to beautify public places and buildings, adding to the environment and the enjoyment of the locations.
The presentation of Brother Tolutau’s sculpture included a traditional Hawaiian Oli (chant) to begin and to end, and was attended by the entire student body of the Nanaikapono Elementary School. Debra Knight, the principal of the school, and Brother Tolutau both addressed the gathering.
Tolutau graduated from BYU–Hawaii in 1980 with a bachelor’s of fine arts, and later earned a master’s of fine arts (MFA) from BYU (Provo). He has taught art (type of classes) at BYU–Hawaii since 1991.
Tolutau also sculpted the Jonathan Napela and George Q. Cannon Sculpture that is on display outside the Cannon Activities Center.