Kāne’ohe Elementary School

Summer Program

Kāne’ohe, O’ahu

This mural is a vibrant and dynamic representation of the natural forces that shape the land and life in **Kaneohe**, an area rich with cultural and environmental significance. At the center of the piece stands the powerful figure of a **Moʻo** (a sacred lizard spirit), whose body and eye anchor the entire composition. The Moʻo is a revered figure in Hawaiian mythology, symbolizing the connection between the natural and spiritual realms. Here, the Moʻo is introduced as a collective vision, arising from a meditation between **Enrichment Students** and **Kaneohe Summer Program** participants, making this mural a product of both individual and communal creativity.

The **Moʻo’s body** takes on a fluid, transformative shape, flowing seamlessly into the **mountains** of Kaneohe, where the lush landscape meets the sky. Water flows from the Moʻo’s head, cascading like a waterfall, symbolizing the continuous cycle of water that nourishes the land and its people. The image of the Moʻo as both creature and mountain reflects the interconnectedness of nature in Kaneohe—where the land, the water, and the spirits are all inextricably linked.

Beside the Moʻo is the graceful figure of a **woman**, her **hair flowing with water**, which ties her form to the **mountains of Kaneohe**. She represents the embodiment of both the land and the waters, further emphasizing the idea that in this place, the wind, water, and earth work in harmony. The woman’s flowing hair, like the currents of water, evokes the movement of both the natural environment and the energy that sustains life.

Moving to the right side of the mural, we encounter a lush **Kukui nut leaf**, vibrant with **Lehua trees**. The Kukui tree, a symbol of enlightenment and light, is closely tied to Hawaiian culture. Here, the large Kukui leaf is filled with Lehua blossoms, while smaller Kukui leaves flutter across the mural’s background, echoing the soft breezes of the wind that sweep through Kaneohe. The **Lehua trees**, often associated with love and protection, further root this work in the culture and history of the region.

Next to the Kukui leaf, the mural shifts perspective to an **aerial view of Kaneohe Bay**, showcasing the **Wailuku Fishpond**—a place of deep cultural significance. This area is where another mural was created during the **Kaneohe Summer Program**, tying the two murals together as part of a larger, ongoing story of place and identity. The fishpond is a symbol of the traditional practices of sustainable living that have long been part of Kaneohe’s history.

On the far right, the mural transitions into a more abstract form, where **clouds** and **Kukui leaves** swirl together in a dynamic pattern, embodying the **wind** in motion. These elements form an almost mystical representation of the natural forces that shape the landscape, flowing and shifting like the currents of the wind.

Overall, this mural is an evocative tribute to the **wind** and **water** of Kaneohe—the elemental forces that sustain the land, the community, and its stories. Through the figure of the Moʻo, the flowing water, the Lehua trees, and the winds, this mural tells a tale of interconnectedness, stewardship, and the cyclical rhythms of nature. It reminds us of the deep cultural relationship the people of Kaneohe have with their environment, and the ongoing responsibility to honor and protect it for future generations. The mural is not only a reflection of the natural world, but also a celebration of the collective spirit of the community that created it.

Viewer can find this mural below…

45-495 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744

Mural Name

“Ola I ka Wai A Ka ʻOpua

Date Completed

Summer 2022

School Served

Kāne’ohe Elementary School

Lead Artists

Estria Miyashiro, Sarah Farris, Claire Ogden

Cultural Practitioners, Kūpuna, Community Orgs

Sponsors & Supporters

Documented By

Hawai’i Department of Education

We Need Your Help

Your tax deductible Annual Membership provides much needed support for arts education in Hawaiʻi.

Help purchasing much needed supplies for our wall murals.

Assist in funding cultural advisers for our youth workshops.

Help stage events surrounding our public mural unveilings.

We Need Your Help

Your tax deductible Annual Membership provides much needed support for arts education in Hawaiʻi.

Help purchasing much needed supplies for our wall murals.

Assist in funding cultural advisers for our youth workshops.

Help stage events surrounding our public mural unveilings.

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