I started this piece on 4/12/04 and it is a commisioned piece based on a reference photo and a sketch that I did in Maui during 2002. I used this as a backdrop for an illustration about Maui's daughter, who falls in love with the prince of the mer-people which makes Maui furious and he vows to kill this merman but his daughter pleads for his life. Instead , Maui choses to turn him into stone. This piece is their last visit at thier secret cove and the merman is, with the help of his magic trident, going to turn himself into a seaturtle, which his father did, and carve a statue of himself which will become Iao Needle and trick her father. To remeber their love Maui's daughter will toss a lei of flowers into the ocean and a seaturtle will appear. Some have said that sitting in the proper spot in Maui one can here them laughing and singing as the the sun goes down.

Robert Robie 4/19/04