Originally this Mele Mural project started out as a part II to the mural we completed in 2016 with the Ho‘oulu ‘Ōpio Academy of Castle High School. It grew to involve Kaneohe Elementary school, Ke Kula Kaiapuni o Puaohala Hawaiian immersion school, Kualoa-Heeia KEY Project, and Hakipuu Learning Center Public Charter school.

Our blessing of the wall started the project with kahu Kamana‘o Agres and continued with taking the students from Castle High School on a huaka‘i (fieldtrip) up to the Luluku lo‘i patches in Kaneohe hosted by kūpuna Uncle Mark.

The over all concept of the mural “He Manu Momona i ka ‘Ike” is that the water and land must be cared for and that is the kuleana (responsibility) of our children and todayʻs youth. As the water flows the land thrives. In our huaka‘i to Luluku we all heard a lot ofmanu maoli (native Hawaiian birds), and Uncle Mark talked about how birds were returning to the area as a result of their restoration work.

On the mural layout from left to right, the native birds are the following. The ‘Alae (mudhen) and A‘eo (stork) are marshland birds. Both are known to visit kalo patches. Luluku stream is also shown flowing behind the first two birds.

Next is the ‘Auku‘u, a bird with a 4 foot wingspan that waits patiently by the waters for fish. Within the body of the ‘Auku‘u is a scene of rows of kalo and behind them are rows of people. We thought it interesting that the kalo was being used by people to protect the land from development, and yet the land was using the kalo to guide and teach the youth.

The ‘Amakihi is a small bird with a powerful voice. Behind the ‘Amakihi is a bluish scene with lightning. The storm brings the much needed rains that nourish everything, and flush out the hewa hewa (bad spirits).

‘Apapane was known for its feathers used in capes and other things. I‘iwi the red honeycreeper is also portrayed as it is found in the treetops of ‘ohia trees. The green and blue background represent the mountains and the waterfalls of the Kaheohe area. The edges of the mural are rendered like a biologists field log as a reminder to us. The sketch portion is there to underscore the idea that if we do not take on the responsibility of protecting of our place and our water, instead of vibrant and alive with color, they will just become faded memories or sketches somewhere in a bland history or biology book.

The ōlelo no‘eau of this mural is “A bird full or fattened with knowledge.” Any bird, with all their differences and ability to gather sustenance to live is a solid message for the haumāna (students). Take any ʻike (knowledge) you can get in this life and fill yourself with it. It takes knowledge and understanding of the issues we face in order to come up with solutions for solving them.

Mele: “Ka Manu”

Mea ʻole ia anu a i ka manaʻo

Ke koʻīʻī koi mau a ka puʻuwai