The mini-mural completed at Kanuikapono Public Charter School was part of a weekend project to uplift and mālama (take care) of the back makai side of their campus. Besides the Estria Foundation team joining the beautification project, the Nakoa Basketball league also provided their kokua.

After the grounding and reflection session with haumāna, parents and our Mele Murals staff, a great drawing session with the keiki was completed. Since the school is on the east side of Kauai, the central energy provides a sunrise of light being emitted from the central wahine who is Koananai, the wahine ali‘i of Kalalea (the ali‘i and name of the highest peak above the school). Koananai also represents the ‘āina (land) that is Anahola.

Some of the haumāna had visions of stars. Hence the star constellation of Ka Lupe o Kawelo (the kite of Kawelo) was painted in the mural since it is the starline that passes over Anahola. Below the stars is a faint rendering of a kohola (whale), where they can occasionally be seen off the coast of Anahola. Also in the sky the islands of Kane Huna Moku were painted with the ohana of children holding hands below it. Some haumāna envisioned a wa‘a (canoe), so we painted the Nāmāhoe, the double hulled wa‘a that was built on Kauai. A noio bird flies above the Nāmāhoe, while a honu (sea turtle) swims aside to remind us that we are in safe and clean waters.

Oli:
‘O ka‘u ia
e huli alo nei
i ka ulu e
Ua Ao Hawai‘i

• na Larry Kimura