Na’alehu Elementary School

Na’alehu, Hawai’i

In 2024, students at Nāalehu Elementary School collaborated on a vibrant mural that honors the winds, guardians, and moʻolelo (stories) of Kaʻū. Central to the mural is the tale of Kumuhea, an aliʻi (chief) ancestor of the Kaʻū people, known for his ability to transform into various forms, including puhi (eel), loli (sea cucumber), and enuhe (caterpillar).

The story of Kumuhea unfolds as he marries the most beautiful woman of Kaʻū and brings her to his home in Puʻu Enuhe. As a caterpillar, Kumuhea primarily feasts on sweet potato leaves, but rumors arise that his wife is suffering from malnutrition. Concerned for her well-being, her brothers investigate and discover her dire condition. In a moment of anger, they decide to kill Kumuhea for his negligence, but soon feel remorse for harming their ancestor, highlighting the complex nature of familial duty and reverence.

In a twist of nature, the mural also reflects the phenomenon of caterpillars migrating in massive numbers from Puʻu Enuhe to the ocean, a mysterious event that captivates the community and often leads to people calling in sick to work to avoid crossing the highway littered with these creatures.

A poignant element of the mural honors a lost loved one from Nāalehu Elementary with the depiction of a giant moth, symbolizing a ho‘ailona (visiting ancestor). Within the giant moth, the mural conveys the narrative of restoring a fish and turtle pond at Honuʻapo Bay, connecting past and present and celebrating the ongoing relationship with the land and its resources.

This mural not only beautifies the school but also serves as a powerful testament to the history, culture, and natural phenomena of Kaʻū, inspiring students and the community to honor their ancestors and the environment that surrounds them.

Viewer can find this mural below…

95-5545 Mamalahoa Hwy, Naalehu, HI 96772

Mural Name

Kaʻū Mākaha

Date Completed

January 2024

School Served

Na’alehu Elementary School

Lead Artists

Estria Miyashiro, Nainoa Rosehill

Cultural Practitioners, Kūpuna, Community Orgs

Ulu Makuakane, John Replog , Nohea Kaawa

Sponsors & Supporters

Iwalani Harris, Kuulei Pablo, Wilma Roddy

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.

Pin It on Pinterest