Our teams spent two weeks getting to know the haumāna (students), staff and the significance of the land and ocean surrounding Anahola. Lead artists held basic drawing and painting sessions after a meditation grounding workshop with the students.

An oli (chant) that inspired the murals was “Pohā Mai Ka Lani.” Both “Pohā Mai Ka Lani” and the schoolʻs oli, “Kalalea I Ka Laʻi,” were both written by Kainani Kahaunaele.

The first mural titled “Aloha ‘Āina” (Take care of our land) was conceived by the high school students with our lead artists. The high school students achieved one of their goals by teaching the younger elementary students the painting skills. In the mural, each letter of the words “ALOHA ʻĀINA” captured the ideas, visions and mo‘olelo that show what is important to Anahola. The mural was also a reminder to the Anahola community to take care of the land they live on.

The second mural titled “O ka mihi ka lāʻau mua, a he piko hou” (New beginnings start with forgiveness.) was completed by the high school students and members of the community. The mele of “Kūlanihāko‘i” (the pond of inspiration) was used for the mural. Kūlanihāko‘i pours inspiration and guidance on all of us, and also signifies the inspiration that everyone poured into the mural. We visited a special koa & kukui tree on our huaka‘i (field trip) up to Anahola Valley. These were two trees that wrapped around each other to live as one. Koa and kukui not only represented strength and enlightenment, but they symbolized unity, and overcoming differences and forgiveness in order to live and thrive as one.

The two murals not only revive the face of Kanuikapono Public Charter School, but also united the community of Anahola to gather, experience their heritage, and reconnect.