2024 Mele Murals Spring Program

School Served: Mountain View Elementary School & Kāne’ohe Elementary School

In spring 2024, Kaneohe Elementary School and Mountain View Elementary School hosted an enriching intersession program for students in grades 3 to 5, centered around the theme of kukui. The phrase “Pupuhi kukui – malino ke kai,” meaning “spewed kukui nuts – calm sea,” served as a guiding principle for the program. It emphasized the idea that light and knowledge possess the power to calm and clarify, helping participants achieve their desired outcomes.

Throughout the program, students engaged in a culture-focused arts curriculum that celebrated Hawaiian culture. They explored the importance of knowing one’s kulaiwi (homeland), lāhui (culture), and kūʻauhau (genealogy), while also developing various mākau (skills). This foundational knowledge helped clear a path toward discovering their identities and understanding their kuleana (responsibility/privilege).

Activities included learning mele (poetry) primarily in ‘ōlelo Hawai‘i (native tongue), rooted in wahi pana (legendary places). Participants enjoyed presentations from special guest speakers, crafted hands-on projects, and practiced mindfulness techniques. Overall, the program fostered a strengthened sense of belonging and connection to Hawai‘i, illuminating a path for the keiki, much like a lamakū (large kukui torch) guiding its people.