by Gregory Field

The art of Patrick Ching is familiar to the students of Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School. Patrick designed the mural on the stage of the school's cafetorium as part of the Artist in the Schools program. The beach scene titled "a Good Day," shows a lot of the wildlife that is here--and that used to be here. More Waimanalo residents will get to know his work when his gallery "Naturally Hawaiian" opens this month next to Mel's Market.

Patrick is familiar with Hawaii's wildlife--as a child he explored the valleys in search of insects, reptiles and stream animals. He has been interested in depicting Hawaii's wildlife through art since he was 16 and spent a month camping and exploring in an Outward Bound wilderness program. He studied art at the Honolulu Academy of Art, Leeward Community College, UH Manoa, an Otis/Parsons Art Institute in Los Angeles.

And he is still poking around in places most of us get to see only in pictures--like the ones he paints. Since 1987, Patrick has worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and has worked and lived part time on remote northwestern Hawaiian islands. He has worked with the Hawaiian monk seal, the green sea turtle, and a wide variety of native birds including the nene. "It doubles for me to work in wildlife management and research, and to get to know my subjects--to be surrounded by what I like to paint," Patrick said.

For nine years, Patrick has contributed monthly articles with pencil sketches of Hawaiian wildlife for Ka Wai Ola o OHA. His books include The Hawaiian Monk Seal, a reference book published by the University of Hawaii Press, four coloring books of Hawaiian wildlife, and a cartoon surfing manual titled How Fo' Surf.

Patrick also designed Hawaii's first Wildlife stamp. The stamp depicts Hawaiian nene in a wetland setting. Revenue from the stamp helps support wildlife projects and is available from the state and at the gallery.

"I'm really happy to be working with the people here," Patrick said. At the gallery will be Phyllis Segawa, general manager and formerly of the Volcano and the Kokee Museums, Auntie Leona Woodside, and Donna Kekumu. Sharing the building will be Point Break Surf Shop run by Robin Blanchard. "We want to make this attractive for people who live here and for tourists," said Patrick, who hopes to have woodwork from local crafts people.

"Environmental education is my reason for being here," said Patrick. "As an artist I have the ability to depict rare and beautiful places. If I can get these images into people's homes, perhaps they will enter their minds as well."