This mural project brings together two powerful themes: spiritual healing and inspiration, rooted in both the land’s history and the strength of community. The first part of the mural, located in the weight lifting room, embodies the theme of inspiration and encouragement. The students were not given specific images to work with but were instead guided by words of wisdom and encouragement from their workout coach. This approach allowed the mural to evolve into a collective message of empowerment for future students at the school. As the mural progressed, it became a shared space of expression, with student security guards, teachers, and visitors all adding their own words of inspiration—sometimes in different languages. What began as a vision of personal strength turned into a wall that brought the collective voice of the entire school community together. The mural symbolizes the power of receiving knowledge and sharing wisdom, much like the hands depicted in the mural—reaching upwards to receive the gifts of light, strength, and encouragement from above.

In contrast, the larger four-panel mural located in the gymnasium, at the heart of the campus, takes on a deeper, more historical narrative—one that honors the Ola’a forest, its ancient guardians, and the transformation of the land. This space, once the site of a great battle, now represents the journey of cleansing and healing. The mural’s central theme focuses on the Ola’a forest, once the largest on the island, home to millions of birds and famed for its abundant feathers that were traded among Ali’i (chiefs) to make helmets, capes, and other royal adornments. Tragically, due to cattle ranching and industrialization, much of the forest has been lost, and with it, many bird species have gone extinct.

The mural acknowledges the importance of Laieikawai, a legendary figure who lived in a house covered entirely in rare bird feathers, and Kihanuilūlūmoku, the great Mo’o (lizard spirit), who shook the earth in their roles as guardians of the forest. Their presence, captured in the mural, was inspired by visions shared during the creative process. The portrait of Laieikawai, painted by Nainoa Rosehill, stands as a tribute to the resilience and beauty of the forest that once thrived in this place. The planting of ‘ohi’a trees—an ongoing effort to combat Rapid ‘Ohi’a Death and restore the forest—serves as a symbol of collective hope and action, reminding the community of their role in rejuvenating the land.

The mural’s vibrant colors and images reflect the historical richness of the area, where it was said that the sky itself was painted with the colors of the birds’ feathers. Birds, their plumes, and the aloha spirit that once filled the skies are all honored in the mural, which seeks to bring light and healing to the land that was once scarred by conflict.

The creation of this mural was described by the artists as the most spiritually demanding project to date. It required walking through moments of **darkness** and, through the process of painting, bringing the ao (light) and aloha (love) to the land. The mural was not just an artistic endeavor—it was a journey of personal growth, compassion, and lōkahi (unity). The artists believed they were helping to cleanse and heal the land, transforming it through the energy of love, forgiveness, and understanding. As the mural progressed, the community’s shared spirit of aloha was felt, like the ripples in the water or the wake behind the fish—spreading, illuminating, and touching everyone who encountered it. The act of painting became like sifting through shallow mud to find illuminating gems—small moments of connection that collectively created a greater whole.

A central theme of the mural is the symbol of the pewa, a traditional woodworker’s tool used to strengthen weak or cracked areas of wood. The more pewa a piece had, the more mana (spiritual power) it was believed to possess. This idea of strengthening through unity, of repairing and healing brokenness, is mirrored in the four panels of the mural. Together, the panels represent the strength and resilience of the community—restoring balance to both the land and spirit through shared effort and collective energy.

In summary, this mural represents the power of inspiration, strength, and encouragement—a message passed down from one generation to the next. The gymnasium mural, on the other hand, connects the present with the past, drawing on the rich history of the Ola’a forest, the legends of Laieikawai and Kihanuilūlūmoku, and the sacred duty of environmental stewardship. Both murals serve as a reminder of the importance of healing, unity, and the interconnectedness of people, land, and spirit. The power of the land’s restoration and the encouragement of the community will continue to inspire generations, bringing light, mana, and aloha to all who witness these works.