The Hīhīmanu series is a collection of acrylic painting studies on canvas board, created as part of Herman Piʻikea Clark’s ongoing exploration of Indigenous abstraction. These works investigate the visual potential of hīhīmanu—the manta ray—as both a stylized form and a cultural metaphor. Clark approaches the manta ray not only as an elegant oceanic figure, but as a symbol deeply embedded in Kanaka Maoli epistemologies, where it represents spiritual presence, protection, and ancestral movement across the sea. His intention in this series was to experiment with the abstraction of the ray’s form while honoring its cultural significance. Through rhythmic contours, layered compositions, and modulated fields of color, the works balance the visual with the conceptual—inviting reflection on how abstract design can carry genealogical meaning and cultural intelligence. While the results offer strong visual impact, the heart of the series lies in its speculative approach to translating Indigenous values through form. The Hīhīmanu series reflects Clark’s broader commitment to visual storytelling grounded in place, lineage, and the sovereign possibilities of Indigenous design.