Students walk past the mural every day, captured by the vibrant colors of this Hawaiian moʻolelo kaʻao. A once lifeless wall has been transformed by a powerful moʻolelo about love and leadership.
Right after Founder’s Day, the class hurries over to set up and start the mural. The foundation is laid with the help of Prime, a professional artist who graciously volunteered his time and expertise. It is fitting that we begin our project, a present that we will give to our princess and school, on Princess Pauahi’s birthday.
Student volunteers pose for a picture at the end of Day 1. Left to right: Hunter Breault, Pū‘ali Akiyama, Liberty Garcia, Monique Hasegawa-Ilae, Nana Kahawai, Pohaikealoha Chandler, Elizabeth Costa, Uncle Prime, Kealoha Kaneakua, Jayson Wong, Kahulu and Hulukoa Nunokawa (Mr. Oishi is taking the picture).
Student artist and alakaʻi, Nana Kahawai, stand next to renowned artist John “Prime” Hina of 808Urban.
Left to right: Kealoha Kaneakua, Monique Hasegawa-Ilae, Kanoe Kaneakua, and Nana Kahawai. Students work to complete background coloring and add details to Kāʻonohiokalā. Nana begins outlining her well-known tribal designs, which students paint in later.
Kealoha Kaneakua and Elizabeth Coleman begin the process of bringing the four Maile sisters to life. The sisters are major influences in Lāʻieikawai's story.
The Maile sisters: Maile is a leafy vine used for making lei and releases a sweet fragrance. Left to right: Mr. Oishi, Nana Kahawai, Kanoe Kaneakua, Kealoha Kaneakua.
This is the beginning of the mural located on the side of the tunnel closest to the Keōua Building. It represents the beginning of the story, when Mālaekahana (the mother of the twins, Lā‘ieikawai and Lā‘ielohelohe) must hide away her daughters in order to keep them alive and away from the wrath of her husband, Kahauokapaka.
Purple is the color for mystery and unknown answers. Itʻs as if the mother is wondering, “Will my daughters survive?” The waves build up and move on through the rest of the wall, symbolizing the motif of travel found throughout the story. A quote from the book is also present, blended in with the waves: “Pua ka wiliwili, nanahu ka manō,” meaning "When the wiliwili tree blooms, the sharks bite." It is a quote said of a beautiful woman who attracts many men.
Two suitors, and a seducer. Here are three men who try to capture Lāʻieikawai's affection by showing off their body surfing skills.(Left to right) Halaaniani: a young rascal of Puna who seduces Lā‘ieikawai with the help of his sister, Mali‘o. Mali‘o is known for her love magic in the story. ‘Aiwohikupua: the suitor of Lā’ieikawai. He is a chief of Kaua’i, and the son of Moanalihaikawaokele and Laukieleʻula. He is also a kupua. Haua‘iliki: He is a rival suitor for Lāʻieikawai, and is also a young chief from Kauaʻi. All of the men are reaching for Lā‘ieikawai, showing their desire and competitiveness for the beautiful wahine.
Here is the beautiful Lā‘ieikawai, whose mana is so great that she rests on the wings of birds. At the heart of the mural, she elegantly rests on a cloud, her symbolic rainbow above her.
The four Maile sisters: Maileha‘iwale is the brittle maile with rounded and small leaves. Mailekaluhea is the fragrant maile. Mailelauli‘i is the small-leafed maile with narrow pointed leaves. Mailepākaha is the common maile vine with blunt, ovate leaves. Details of each maile were incorporated into Nana's artistic representation.
Moanalihaikawaokele: He is the father of Kāʻonohiokalā, a powerful chief of Kahiki. Beneath him in the tribal designs hides Kihanuilūlūmoku, the guardian moʻo of Paliuli, who takes Kahalaomāpuana to her brother.
