Mahatma Gandhi Statue Restored in Waikiki

City officials announced today that the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, which fell from its pedestal last August, has been fully restored and is back in its place at the corner of Kalakaua and Kapahulu Avenues in Waikiki.

The bronze statue by artist Stephen Lowe, titled “A Fistful of Salt,” underwent nearly 11 months of meticulous restoration work that cost nearly $38,000, according to the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts.

Veteran Hawaiian sculptor Kim Duffett took the lead on the project, painstakingly repairing the fractures, along with the statue’s cane, glasses and right arm, that had become detached when the statue toppled.

Duffett, who has more than 20 years of experience restoring sculptures, also upgraded the statue’s anchoring system with marine-grade stainless steel, which must withstand wind gusts of up to 120 mph (193 km/h).

According to the city, he had the entire statue, including the accompanying plaques, sandblasted and a new patina applied to restore it to its original state.

On the morning of August 8, 2023, the Gandhi statue in Kapi’olani Park was toppled from its pedestal. Officials said the exact cause is unknown and it could have been due to high winds or overt vandalism.

Officials said the statue of Mahatma K. Gandhi, the Indian lawyer known for his nonviolent resistance, is an important landmark in Waikiki. It was a gift to the city and county of Honolulu from the Gandhi Memorial International Foundation and the Jhamandas Watumull Fund in 1990.

The foundation is committed to promoting Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolence, truth and compassion through educational programs. The statue serves as a lasting reminder of these ideals.

The blessing of the newly restored statue is scheduled for October 2, during Gandhi’s annual birthday celebrations, organised by the Gandhi International Institute for Peace.