As an alternative to the original water that was said to have even leaked in Capitol offices, the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) selected Solomon Enos to create a waterless pool design.

      Problems with water date back to the opening of the Capitol in 1969.  As cited in a Star-Advertiser article dated Oct. 10, 2024,

“Trouble included an inability, despite expensive regular maintenance to keep the water from stinking and leaking into the building’s basement, which includes House and Senate chambers, support staff offices and parking.”

                  Solomon welcomed the public to take participate in the art project.  “His vision for the work is based on his in-person impressions of nearshore waters and aquatic life around islands throughout the state plus others including the Marshall Islands, Samoa, French Polynesia, Midway, New Zealand, and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands” (Star-Advertiser).

                  Learning of Enos’ solicitation for help, KS World Poetry Seminar Kumu Ken Goto, jumped at the opportunity to have his haumana involved with Enos.

                  “It was awesome,” Goto said.   “They got to meet and talk with Solomon Enos, and participate in painting dots on the interactive art exhibit.”

                  Students wrote poems inspired by the experience.  If you are interested in enrolling in World Poetry Seminar in the future or would like more information about the class, please contact Kumu Ken Goto: [email protected].