2023 Summer Program
Kāne’ohe, O’ahu , Honolulu, O’ahu, Mountain View, Hawaii
Luluku summer 2023
In meditation, the students envisioned images of a **moʻo** (water spirit) and ancestors guarding the terraced **loʻi kalo** (taro patches) and gardens of the area. On the back of the moʻo are depictions of our ancestors, serving as a powerful reminder of our connection to those who came before us and to the land itself.
On the other side of the mural, there is an image of voyagers. Initially envisioned as Hina and her family arriving in the area, the concept expanded to represent how voyagers maintain connections to other places and cultures. This duality highlights the rich history of navigation and the bonds that tie us to our ancestors and the broader world.
Maunawili summer 2023
The mural was created during a one-week intensive program on a farm nestled in the back of Kailua. This beautiful, pristine location features water springing from the mountainside and offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks. In this serene setting, the students envisioned ancestors looking down at them from the mountain ridge, symbolizing a deep connection to their heritage.
Water, the gift of life, flows from the heavens, nourishing the **kalo** (taro) that sustains us. Uncle Mark was deeply moved when he first saw the sketch; he shared that during his initial visit to the farm, he too felt the presence of the ancestors watching over him, as if questioning whether he would care for this sacred place. This mural not only captures their vision but also honors the relationship between the land, water, and the generations that came before.
Kūhiō Elementary –
This mural reflects their imaginative journey and deep connection to the world around them. Central to the mural is the depiction of **honu** (sea turtles) as space-time travelers, symbolically navigating through a portal that connects the paradise of their origins to their present surroundings. This imagery serves as a powerful representation of transformation and evolution, illustrating how we can move through different phases of life and emerge as newly evolved beings.
The portal painted on the campus signifies more than just a passage; it embodies the idea that doorways exist in our lives, offering opportunities for growth and new experiences. As the students envisioned themselves traveling through this portal, they embraced the concept of change and the potential for reinvention.
Additionally, the mural features the **koa’e ‘ula** (red-tailed tropicbird), known for its grace and agility along the seashore. This bird symbolizes freedom and the connection to the ocean, reinforcing the theme of exploration and the natural beauty of the coastal environment.
Together, these elements highlight the students’ reflections on their own journeys, the significance of their cultural heritage, and the interconnectedness of all living things. The mural stands as a celebration of their creativity and a reminder of the paths they can take as they navigate their futures.
Mountain View Elementary – Ko Pele Huakaʻi ʻAna
This mural is about Pele and her ohana making the journey from Kahiki to these islands, eventually making her home in Volcano. The wayfinding compass and the phases of the moon are tools used in the trans-pacific voyage. The Noio bird is a seabird that lives in Hawai’i year round. The family can be seen bringing crops on the wa’a.
SUMMER 2023- “Ko Pele Huakaʻi ʻAna”
This murals represents the story of Pelehonuamea who was chased out of her home by her sister Nāmakaokahaʻi for an accident Pele caused that resulted in the covering of lava on Nāmakas land that she beautified and cherished. Out of anger, Nāmaka would insure anywhere Pele would attempt to settle, she would chase her out. The mural is about Peleʻs journey to find her forever home. Her attempts to settle in different places, and being moved from one location to the next, Pele finally had enough and fought it out with her sister. Just when Nāmaka thought she won, Pele was brewing with more power and created her untouchable home at Halemaʻumaʻu on the Mountain of Kilauea on the Island of Hawaiʻi. She was able to live in peace with her family in the protection of her power. Till this day, Nāmaka hasnʻt seen able to put out her fires and that’s why Halemaʻumaʻu remains as the active volcano today.
Viewer can find this mural below…
Kūhiō Elementary, Mountain View Elementary, Kāne’ohe Elementary
Mural Name
Kāne’ohe Elementary – Luluku Farm & Maunawili
Date Completed
June/July 2023
School Served
Kāne’ohe Elementary – Luluku Farm & Maunawili
Lead Artists
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.