The title of this mural is “Mōaka I Ke Ala O Nā Kūpuna” – The pathway of our kūpuna is clear for as long as we continue. Aloha ʻĀina is in our lives every day.

This mural is all about Aloha ʻĀina. The pueo (owl), kūpuna (elders), puaʻa (boar), King Kamehameha, and Queen Liliuokalani all symbolize our love of the land. This mural promotes “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘āina i ka Pono” meaning “The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.”

During our huaka‘i (fieldtrip) to Luluku Farm, our guide, Uncle Mark, taught us the importance of taking care of the land by farming  kalo in the loʻi. Caring for kalo and other food and medicinal plants takes care of our ʻohana, and future generations. For Uncle Mark, “Aloha ʻĀina means to love the land the way our ancestors did. To care for it the way it cares for us and to continue to love and care for one another.”

The students’ concepts for this mural came through meditation following the huaka‘i. On the left of the mural is the heavy development in the Kāne‘ohe area. An ancient kanaka lifts the veil of modernity to see what we have been up to. Behind him is the way the land used to be. The pua‘a with a hint of a rainbow on him is a nod to the demigod, Kamapua’a, a kia’i (protector) of the area. Around the pua‘a, we see the ‘ohana (all the baby kalo) growing. 

On the upper level of the building is the pueo, an ‘aumakua and messenger of heaven, made of the night sky. The stars represents our kūpuna. On the top right are ancestors in the clouds, with Queen Liliʻuokalani and King Kamehameha. The upper level is revealed when a viewer backs away from the wall. This is a subtle reminder that we are never alone.

We believe that our kūpuna and aliʻi would want us to keep the tradition of aloha ʻāina. The kupuna kāne (elder man) on the mural reveals a portal of the past. It reminds us that we are connected to our ancestors when we practice their traditions, take care of our land, and look to the stars for guidance.

Mahalo to Principal Derek Minikami, the Core Hui Alaka‘i of Kāne‘ohe Elementary School and the Hawai‘i State Department of Education. Mahalo to lead artists, Ran Noveck, Wayne Takazono and Estria Miyashiro. We give thanks to ‘Anakala Mark Paikuli Strideof Luluku Lo‘i Farms, Kahu Kekoa Kordell, Tara Seto, Māpuana Leong, Jaime Murakami, Wali Camvel, the community of Kāne‘ohe.