Linda Kane - KHP Volunteer Docent
I have known Linda for approximately 48 years. I met Linda while still in the Navy just prior to getting out in 1970. My brother Hanz, already out of the Navy for 3 years, had befriended this hippy girl from California. At some point, I cannot recall when, they were living in an interesting, old, falling apart house on Elm Street behind the old HYCF, Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility. It seemed like a transit group of friends from different places to include some surfers from Kauai, Kaleo, Hud, Manny and Reuben. I struggle with most their names and their faces seem a little fuzzy with the passage of time. I can however clearly see them all sitting on the front porch stairs. In this vague picture in my mind is also my youngest brother, Langsdorff von Engleheart. Yes, that is his name. That is a picture of my brother Hanz, Linda and my brother Langsdorff that is imbedded in my memory forever.Linda was a student at the University of Hawaii Manoa and eventually graduated with a degree in Art and Education. Linda and Hanz eventually got married and had two beautiful daughters Malia and Kanoe. They are grandparents to Malia’s two daughters Makana and Malanai who actually grew up in Aotearoa and all speak fluent Maori and Hawaiian. Linda’s newest grand-daughter from their daughter Kanoe is Kawena.After their daughters Malia and Kanoe entered school Linda went back to the University of Hawaii Manoa and received her Masters of Fine Arts and went on to teach drawing and painting courses. She also taught at Chaminade, the Community Colleges and at the Honolulu Museum of Art over the years. While teaching and subsequent to her retirement she allowed her passion for art take her to higher levels. Linda today is a professional artist. Her professional art work focuses on the natural environment of Hawai’i and how it is framed within the sociological, political and cultural context unique to this place we all call home.Linda first visited the Kalaeloa Heritage Park back in the 1990’s when we were providing cultural consultation to the future reuse designation of cultural landscapes within the former Barbers Point Naval Air Station. She got to see the park prior to its cleanup while it was still forested. Witnessing a cultural landscape that withstood the test of time fosters a sense of generational history that makes one feel that he or she needs to be a part of. It becomes personal. Linda wanted to convey that same sense of personal relationship she had by way of creating an ongoing series of large charcoal drawings. Linda knew when she retired she wanted to devote more time to the preservation of this cultural landscape.
42” x 62” charcoal drawing by Linda Kane of the Kualaka’i Trail within the heritage park. It was purchased by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts and is on view at their museum.In addition Linda Kane is one of our Docents at the Kalaeloa Heritage Park. You will find Linda at the 2nd Annual Kalaeloa Heritage Park Luau Fundraiser. If you are lucky she will be your Docent.Article by S. Kane