Mele Kalikimade is the Hawaiian's way

Things are getting hot out in the Pacific, and it isn’t at the luau.  Kim Taylor Reece, known internationally for his hula photography, claims Leialoha Colucci’s stained glass art, offered for sale at a Kaliua gallery, infringes on his photo “Makanani.”   The Ilioulaoklalani Coalition is claiming that Kim Taylor Reece is just trying to copyright the hula move itself saying that “Makanani” is just a photo of a woman in a particular hula pose on the beach. 

This isn’t just an ordinary snapshot of a hula dancer.  The photo was actually taken with Kim Taylor Reece lying in water with the model kneeling in the sand putting emphasis on the upward reach of her right arm and hand.  Leialoha’s stained glass, interestingly enough, has the same kneeling position, at the same angle, and just to take it one step further – the same windblown hair. 

Not surprising – the court held Reece’s photo had copyrightable aspects including the particularities of her pose, the angle Reece captured her, and her expression.   Somewhat surprising – the term “racist” is being thrown around.  Mahalo.