Na’alehu Elementary School
Na’alehu, Hawai’i
Mural Name: Kaʻū Mākaha
Dates: January 2024
School Served: Na’alehu Elementary School
Lead Artist: Estria Miyashiro, Nainoa Rosehill
Cultural Practitioners, Kūpuna, Community Orgs:Ulu Makuakane, John Replog , Nohea Kaawa
Sponsors & Supporters: Iwalani Harris, Kuulei Pablo, Wilma Roddy
In 2024, students at Nāalehu Elementary School collaborated on a vibrant mural that honors the winds, guardians, and moʻolelo (stories) of Kaʻū. Central to the mural is the tale of Kumuhea, an aliʻi (chief) ancestor of the Kaʻū people, known for his ability to transform into various forms, including puhi (eel), loli (sea cucumber), and enuhe (caterpillar).
The story of Kumuhea unfolds as he marries the most beautiful woman of Kaʻū and brings her to his home in Puʻu Enuhe. As a caterpillar, Kumuhea primarily feasts on sweet potato leaves, but rumors arise that his wife is suffering from malnutrition. Concerned for her well-being, her brothers investigate and discover her dire condition. In a moment of anger, they decide to kill Kumuhea for his negligence, but soon feel remorse for harming their ancestor, highlighting the complex nature of familial duty and reverence.
In a twist of nature, the mural also reflects the phenomenon of caterpillars migrating in massive numbers from Puʻu Enuhe to the ocean, a mysterious event that captivates the community and often leads to people calling in sick to work to avoid crossing the highway littered with these creatures.
A poignant element of the mural honors a lost loved one from Nāalehu Elementary with the depiction of a giant moth, symbolizing a ho‘ailona (visiting ancestor). Within the giant moth, the mural conveys the narrative of restoring a fish and turtle pond at Honuʻapo Bay, connecting past and present and celebrating the ongoing relationship with the land and its resources.
This mural not only beautifies the school but also serves as a powerful testament to the history, culture, and natural phenomena of Kaʻū, inspiring students and the community to honor their ancestors and the environment that surrounds them.
