The rainbow goddess Keānuenue, sister to Kāne and Kanaloa is the central figure in our newest mural at Jarrett Middle School. Sometimes she can be seen forming in Pālolo valley’s famous Līlīlehua rain. In the night sky behind her to the right is the constellation Manaiakalani, Mauiʻs fishhook. Itʻs legendary resting place is Kaʻau Crater in Pālolo valley. To the left in the mural is an ʻiwa bird, acting as a messenger and guardian for the community.

The message students developed from the meditation was that they are being tasked with the kuleana (responsibility) of protecting and caring for their ʻāina and wai (land and water). Though this balance may not exist presently, Keānuenueʻs thoughtful gaze at our world of both lava and sprouting koa and kalo exemplifies for the students that everything runs in cycles. Even though destruction or mismanagement of our resources may have occurred in the past, positive change and new growth is always possible if we take our kuleana to heart.

A special mahalo goes out to Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the staff of William P. Jarrett Middle School on the support for this Mele Murals project.