Photographer Tom Haar says the resignation of Eva Laird Smith as executive director of the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is “just the beginning of the controversy.”

Haar is the son of Francis Haar, whose photograph of Iolani Luahine dancing hula at Halemaumau crater was doctored and used for marketing purposes. Tom Haar said he was “surprised” by Smith’s resignation Wednesday but welcomed it nonetheless.

“We were all hoping for it,” he said this morning. “She is definitely the one most responsible for what happened. She blew it. She did not check with the collections manager about the content of that image.”

Smith gave Brandon Dela Cruz the images. He choose the Haar photo but cropped Luahine’s head and hands. The image was used to sell tote bags, coffee mugs and other items to promote Hawaii Fashion Month in October.

“Eva was the culprit in establishing this fiasco, but the top level organization has a disconnect with the staff,” said Haar. “That is the big problem. We will see how it develops.”

Photo: Ewa Laird Smith. (HSFCA)

—Chad Blair