This mural project connects us with the land and mo‘olelo (stories) of Waimanalo. Since all the concepts and mo‘olelo come from the haumāna (students) of Blanche Pope Elementaryʻs Mele Mural, we found it appropriate for the title to be “Hoʻomalu ʻia e nā Liko” (Protected by the Children).

The central visual that the viewer immediately sees is the Hawai‘ian pueo (owl) in the middle of the mural, which is the mascot of the school and to some of the children, it is their family aumakua (spirit animal). One of the mo‘olelo is about Kamohoali‘i , the shark akua (god) and shape shifter. Some of the keiki let us know that the ghosted large man is Kamohoali‘i, whereas some believe the ghosted giant/spirit is their ancestor. The man looks over Waimanalo with one of the keiki.

One of the streams that connects to the ocean at Waimanalo Beach forms a pool that used to be called “Muliwaiolena” (the golden pond) and the 5th and 6th grade class took a huaka‘i (fieldtrip) to this area to not only clean the area, but to also pay respects and offer a ho‘okupu (offering) to this area. Muliwaiolena is also the name of the woman, who is another central figure in the Mele Mural, and she washes her hair in the golden pond. It was believed that the abundance of olena (tumeric) that was in the land caused the magical and golden color of the pond.

The story of Kamahoali‘i carries through the right side of the Mele Mural where he turns into a giant manō (shark) with eight eyes (representing makawalu). At the shore is his sister, Hi‘iaka, who has returned to O‘ahu and protects the shores of Waimanalo.

‘ŌiwiTV video: https://vimeo.com/165659294