Aliamanu Middle School

Honolulu, O‘ahu

This Mele Mural project with Aliamanu Middle School connects us with the land and mo‘olelo (story) of Mo‘oanaloa on O‘ahu and is respectively titled with the same name of “Mo‘oanaloa.” The mo‘olelo behind this mural takes us back to the ancient Hawaiian days when there was no buildings, roads or overdevelopment. 

Kamanui Valley was once teaming with life and home to many unique plants and native creatures. Currently, the plants and living creatures of the valley are rapidly declining. As a reminder of what used to thrive in the valley, the haumāna (students) painted a Hawaiian bird, called the O‘o (honeycreeper), which has now been long extinct.

In the center of the mural, there are three mountain peaks that bear names of the ancestors of Kamawaelulani. He is the rift in the heavens and the split in the clouds, visible from under the valley. Kahikilaulaniʻs three children were Keana‘akamano (the cave painted by the shark on our wall),  Maunakapu (the sacred mountain), and Kaho‘omoe‘ihikapulani (meaning to be put to sleep with all heavenly possessions).

What once used to be in the valley, animals, vegetation, and water, is now being depleted. As the future generation, we need to preserve the valley so that all living things, mo‘olelo, and Hawaiian culture can live on and perpetuate.

Weʻre proud of the 30 alaka‘i haumāna (junior leader students) of Aliamanu Middle School who led over 750 of their school mates to paint this mural. It is one of the biggest Mele Mural projects to date. Mahalo to Gabe Man and the Roddy Akau family for allowing our staff and haumāna to learn on their huaka‘i (field trip) in Kamanui Valley. Mahalo to our lead artist Luke Pomai DeKneef, who lead the team of artists of Ran Noveck, Danielle Zirk, Justin Vasconcellos, and Olona Media for their documentation. Lastly mahalo to Tina Tagad, Rob Asato, and Pio Tagad for all their kokua.

Viewer can find this mural below…

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Mural Name

Mo‘oanalua

Date Completed

November 28th, 2018

School Served

Aliamanu Middle School

Lead Artists

Luke Pomai DeKneef, Estria Miyashiro, Ran Noveck, Danielle Zirk, and Justin Vasconcellos

Cultural Practitioners, Kūpuna, Community Orgs

Gabe Man & Akau ohana

Sponsors & Supporters

Aliamanu Middle School

Documented By

Olona Media, Justyn Ah Chong, and ‘Āina Paikai

We Need Your Help

Your tax deductible Annual Membership provides much needed support for arts education in Hawaiʻi.

Help purchasing much needed supplies for our wall murals.

Assist in funding cultural advisers for our youth workshops.

Help stage events surrounding our public mural unveilings.

We Need Your Help

Your tax deductible Annual Membership provides much needed support for arts education in Hawaiʻi.

Help purchasing much needed supplies for our wall murals.

Assist in funding cultural advisers for our youth workshops.

Help stage events surrounding our public mural unveilings.

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