A Brief overview of Frank Oda's Hale Pua "House of Flowers"
"Arts Hawaii", founded by Frank Oda, closed its doors permanately in July 2007. During the cleanup of the building a few original pieces of Frank Oda's work were found in the attic and aquired by us (hawaiianarts / www.Hawaiiana.us). These very rare, vintage originals haven't seen the light of day for more than 50 years.
On October 25, 1946 Frank Oda and a partner started Hawaii Glass and Arts. Mr. Oda, prior to WWII, worked as an artist and book illustrator for the Tongg Publishing Co. where he illustrated classic Hawaiiana books such as Birds of Hawaii by George C. Munro, Common Insects of Hawaii by Fullaway & Krauss, Hawaiian Flowers and Flowering Trees by Kuch & Tongg and Hawaiian Fishes by Tucker. He also designed textiles for several companies including Von Hamm Young. Oda also worked as a product photographer and for the police department.
The paintings and etched glass works sold at this time were under the name Hale Pua (House of Flowers) and Hawaii Glass and Arts. Frank Oda ended that partnership and went into business with his wife Ethel H. Oda and formed Arts Hawaii on December 11, 1951.
Arts Hawaii became a partnership in 1973 when Frank Oda’s youngest son, Gary Oda, joined the company after post-graduate studies in England at the Camden Art Centre in London from 1969-1970 and The London College of Printing from 1972-1973. Gary also served a tour of duty in the U.S. Army between these two schools. He received a BFA from the University of Hawaii in 1969. Arts Hawaii incorporated in 1979 when Gary Oda took over management and in 1990 Gary took over artistic production.
The largest producer of hand drawn and multiple deep etching in Hawaii, Arts Hawaii also produced air brushed paintings till 1975. Collectibles, such as our glass brick vases with koa and monkeypod bases and air brushed paintings have become prized possessions actively sought after worldwide. With the advent of on-line auctions, interest in creations from Arts Hawaii has increased among collectors of Hawaiiana even faster. Traded daily on international websites, artwork by Frank Oda, Hale Pua and Arts Hawaii has risen in value over the years.
The tradition of giving hand etched glassware for weddings and anniversaries as well as aloha, mahalo, or house warming gifts to friends and family is now being carried on by third and fourth generations of islanders and visitors. The uniqueness and beauty of these pieces, each hand drawn, cut and etched, has become one of Hawaii’s "special" gifts.
Unfortunately for the Art World and predominately due to cheap knock offs being
produced in China, Arts Hawaii closed its gallery and workshop on July 26, 2007.
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FRANK ODA WOODROSE ON VELVET 1930 |
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FRANK ODA YELLOW GINGER ORIGINAL |
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HALE PUA FRANK ODA SHELL GINGER PAINTING |
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VINTAGE FRANK ODA WOODROSE VELVET PAINTING 1940 |
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VINTAGE FRANK ODA WHITE GINGER VELVET PAINTING |
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FRANK ODA VELVET ANTHURIUM, SHELL GINGER, BIRD PARADISE |
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FRANK ODA HIBISCUS VELVET 1940 PAINTING |
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FRANK ODA BIRD OF PARADISE VELVET PAINTING |
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VINTAGE FRANK ODA CATTALEA ORCHID VELVET PAINTING |
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FRANK ODA VELVET ORCHID PAINTING |
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FRANK ODA HIBISCUS VELVET PAINTING |
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FRANK ODA HALE PUA ANTHURIUM ON VELVET 16X20 |
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FRANK ODA HALE PUA BLACK VELVET W CHALKWARE KANE & WAHINE |
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FRANK ODA ANTHURIIUM BLACK VELVET PAINTING |
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FRANK ODA ORIGINAL YELLOW GINGER |
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FRANK ODA HALE PUA YELLOW HIBISCUS ORIGINAL ON VELVET |
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VINTAGE 1930'S FRANK ODA ON VELVET ROYAL HAWAIIAN
HOTEL @ SUNSET
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Black
Velvet Red Hibiscus Frank Oda
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