This Mele Murals Project with Hale‘iwa Elementary School was completed in a quick two weeks, but our time in Hale‘iwa was considered to be special.

After two days of meditation and reflection sessions, the haumāna (students) came up with the idea to paint the ‘iwa (frigate) birds that are known to fly over Hale‘iwa. While our staff was facilitating workshops on campus, they noticed that feeling of serenity whenever they were on the grounds. Uncle Estria relayed “Hale’iwa is very serene and there is a certain calmness while being there.” Our staff and the haumāna also realized that when ‘iwa birds fly, they are very serene. ‘Iwa birds use their large wings to glide over the gustful winds of Hale’iwa and fly with no effort, unlike other birds that flap their wings using more energy.

With this in mind, it was certain that the title of the mural should be “Ho‘omālie,” which means “to be serene”.

After the reflection sessions, our staff and the haumāna realized that the essence of Hale‘iwa is to stand up in justice and aloha (Kūpono). Therefore the line of “Ke aka o Hale‘iwa Kūpono Me Ke Aloha” was written on the mural.

During the concept drawing sessions, the haumāna sketched several geysers. What we received from this was that the geysers represent a time when one needs to release their passion, or a truth, that they have been holding on to. It represents a time of positive change.

Lastly, the constellation of Orionʻs Belt of Ka Hei-Hei O Nā Keiki and Makali‘i were painted since those were the constellations that passed over our staffʻs heads during the evenings while the mural was painted in late Apelila (April).