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Launching in November 2025, Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center (QKC) will host the new Hui Mo‘olelo: Kahului Exhibition, bringing Kahului stories and memories to life. General Manager Kauwela Bisquera Shultz, who participated in a past Hui Mo‘olelo cohort and whose own talk-story with Aunty Kekoa Enomoto inspired the Ka Wahine o Kekoa mural in 2022, first saw the Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā Exhibition at the Lahaina Cannery in a recent news article. She was inspired by the depth and beauty of the work and eagerly agreed to host a similar exhibition in Kahului, reaffirming QKC as a meaningful partner and returning sponsor of this community-driven program.
Christina Wine Returns With New Portraits Christina Wine, the talented artist with whom we collaborated on the Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā Exhibition, was commissioned to expand her series of portraits - this time highlighting Kahului storytellers. Born and raised in Waiehu, and a graduate of Baldwin High School and UH Hilo, Wine’s career spans marine science, environmental education, sailing, and maritime systems. Her artistic path began with a quiet teacher who showed her the fundamentals of drawing in a single weekend, breaking through language barriers. This early lesson shaped her signature no-erase, Zen calligraphy style, in which each line is committed and every “mistake” is part of the whole. Christina reflects, “I’m grateful to everyone who has received my art, whether it’s a framed painting or just a lesson remembered in the heart.” Wine’s new portraits focus on Kahului, with each storyteller exploring deep connection to place, culture, and community in their own voice that viewers can access via QR codes. Her family recently visited the Lāhainā exhibition and spent time sitting in the chairs provided to scan the codes and listen to the stories. She shared, “It is so positive and meaningful. Isn’t it nicer to listen to a local fisherman than a full day of doom and gloom on the news? Thank you for providing this for our community.” Meet the Kahului Storytellers The portraits on display reflect a wide spectrum of community voices and intergenerational experiences, including:
Each panel includes portraits by Christina Wine and captures the unique stories, memories, and perspectives shared in the Hui Mo‘olelo recordings, connecting viewers to Kahului’s sense of place. Engaging With Story and Community Visitors can listen to the original talk-stories using QR codes, deepening their understanding of each subject’s connection to land, ocean, and community. The exhibition emphasizes intergenerational learning, cultural perpetuation, and moments of humor amongst Maui residents. Having just completed its 6th storytelling cohort, Maui Public Art Corps will release its next call for public art proposals in partnership with the County of Maui to interpret any talk-story recording from its Hui Mo‘olelo archive into collaborative works, including the stories on display at Hui Mo‘olelo: Kahului. Visit mauipublicart.org/apply for details. Celebrating Place and Memory This exhibition continues the Hui Mo‘olelo program's mission to connect, preserve and share local voices through art and storytelling. Christina Wine’s portraits, together with the recorded talk-stories, offer a lens into the lived experiences of Kahului residents, honoring their heritage, work, and care for place. Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center’s participation highlights the power of local partnerships in creating meaningful, reflective spaces for art, story, and community to intersect. For artists interested in joining the Local Artist Roster for future Maui Public Art Corps/ Maui County Public Art Program commissions, visit mauipublicart.org/roster.
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A new public art exhibition honoring voices of Lāhainā has been unveiled at Lahaina Cannery. Installed on September 30, 2025, Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā is a collaborative effort of the County of Maui’s Public Art Program, Maui Public Art Corps, and Lahaina Restoration Foundation.
Maui Public Art Corps commissioned artist Christina Wine through a Maui Strong grant, who also serves as Ocean Resource Specialist for the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC), to create 21 watercolor portraits of Lāhainā community members that participated in the Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā storytelling project. Wine proposed these portraits through the County of Maui and Maui Public Art Corps' most recent call for artist proposals, and her vision has transformed the Cannery into a place where portraits of kūpuna stand beside their voices and words of wisdom. “Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā is a gathering of voices — a weaving of stories born from the heart of a community forever changed,” shares Kelly White, Chair of Maui Public Art Corps and Manager of the County of Maui’s Public Art Program. “To see them come alive at Lahaina Cannery means these voices will continue to guide us in rebuilding a future rooted in aloha and belonging.” A Storytelling Tradition Launched in response to the August 2023 wildfires, Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā brings together the efforts of Maui Public Art Corps, Lahaina Restoration Foundation, and the County of Maui. In summer 2024, cultural historian Kalapana Kollars and Hawaiian life ways practitioner Anuhea Yagi guided a cohort of Lāhainā storytellers in recording intergenerational stories of life in the community — recollections that spanned hukilau at Launiupoko, fishing ʻōpelu at Mala, lantern ceremonies at the Jodo Mission, and the hum of Front Street. Recorded stories went on to inspire nine public artworks across Maui and Oʻahu to date: five animated film shorts, one utility box artwork, and three mural installations. Together, they serve as testaments to healing, connection and cultural continuity. This 2024 Hui Mo‘olelo program was made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, whose support helped bring these stories to life and share them with the community. Today, Hui Mo‘olelo continues to provide opportunities for community connection and place-based art grounded in local voice. We have just completed our most recent cohort and are preparing to release the next Request for Proposals (RFP) in fall 2025. An upcoming Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā cohort will be led by Kaliko Storer. The Artist Behind the Portraits Born and raised in Waiehu, Wine is a Baldwin High School and UH Hilo graduate whose career has spanned marine science, sailing, environmental education, and maritime systems before returning home to Maui. Reflecting on her artistic journey, Wine recalls an unlikely teacher: “As a teenager, I met a quiet, deaf artist who, in a single weekend, broke through language barriers to show me the fundamentals of how to draw. I never stopped after that. Over time I adopted a no-erase, Zen-calligraphy style — each line committed, each mistake part of the whole. I’m grateful to everyone who has received my art, whether it’s a framed painting or just a lesson remembered in the heart.” Wine now brings that spirit of openness and gratitude to her portraits of Lāhainā kūpuna, offering visual windows into stories of resilience, tradition and belonging. A Living Space for Healing The Lahaina Cannery has become a focal point for gathering, remembrance, and healing since the wildfires. By hosting this exhibition, the Cannery continues its role as a hub for cultural programming, local markets, and civic engagement. Visitors can experience the portraits alongside quotations that reflect Lāhainā’s strength and hopes for the future. QR codes connect viewers directly to recorded stories and public artworks inspired by these voices throughout Maui. The Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā exhibition is free and open to the public through the month of September. Learn more: mauipublicart.org/lahainamoolelo. Following our second Hui Mo‘olelo 2025 session, cohort members were invited to record a self-recorded mo‘olelo on a topic of their choosing. This practice helps model for upcoming intergenerational talk-story partners the same spirit of honesty and generosity we are asking of them.
What emerged from these recordings was a deep intertwining of love for nature and home with personal passion, spiritual grounding, and community connection. For many, Maui is not just a place but a source of identity and belonging, compelling them toward service, tradition, and shared purpose. Iokepa Cabanilla-Aricayos spoke of how his passion always returns to nature and home. Born and raised on Maui, even a brief time living on the mainland intensified his gratitude for being from Hawai‘i and confirmed his sense of identity. Tina Kailiponi described moving 25 times as a child before coming to Maui, where she finally felt settled and discovered her “tribe.” Liana Horovitz recalled her childhood in upper Kula, walking two miles uphill through black wattle forests to her family’s carnation farm, where the smell of her mother’s fresh bread marked the end of the journey home. Nature is more than a backdrop in these stories. It is a source of grounding and a spiritual connection. For Iokepa, this began early, nurtured by his hula-teacher mother and landscaper father. When he needs to feel grounded, he goes to places like ʻĪao Valley or simply puts his bare feet in the sand, the dirt, or the water. Even when living far from Maui, he sought out streams and trails, feeling a spiritual need to connect with the earth. He believes people must take care of nature because it nourishes us physically, spiritually and emotionally and is a priceless treasure to pass to future generations. This connection manifests through tradition. Iokepa creates lei and flower arrangements as a way to mark important moments, from graduations to funerals, filling himself with a sense of meaning. The fragrance and color of flowers, he says, seal memories and create core experiences that stay with us. His first inspired lei, made for his grandfather, bridged his Hawaiian and Filipino heritage and embodied the spirit of ʻohana. He now works to instill this connection in his children and grandchildren, believing that even the smallest act, like a child picking a flower for a friend, keeps this bond alive. That sense of belonging also drives a passion for community service. Tina spoke of feeling that being embraced by Maui gives her the responsibility to give back. She serves with the Maui Food Bank and sees the entire island as her ʻohana. This emphasis on shared value and connection aligns with the reflections of Francis Tauʻa, who links passion to choosing wisely where to place value and finding joy in connection. Francis reminds us that in a world designed to provoke reaction, focusing on what truly matters allows community support to emerge naturally. He shared the story of a group of first graders who stopped their conflicts to help a friend search for a lost Pokémon jibbitz, their joy erupting when it was found. This simple but powerful moment revealed how shared purpose can turn even divided groups into a vessel for collective joy. Naomi Tokishi offered another powerful expression of passion through collective effort. She described her experience in the Maui High School Color Guard, where she and her teammates trained for months, practicing twelve hours a week in preparation to compete in California against much larger bands. Despite the exhaustion and challenge, the moment they performed together —hitting every beat, matching the music, and seeing each other shine, was one of pride and exhilaration. When they won first place overall, Naomi and her teammates wept and embraced, overwhelmed by the power of shared success. This experience of perseverance, discipline, and community triumph mirrors the ʻohana spirit described by Iokepa and Tina, showing that passion and belonging grow strongest when pursued together. These mo‘olelo show that for many, love for Maui and nature is inseparable from the call to serve, protect, and connect. They remind us that each story is a thread in the larger fabric of community, helping us see the richness of where we come from and the responsibilities we carry forward. Learn more at mauipublicart.org/cohort25.  Maui Public Art Corps, in partnership with the County of Maui, is proud to welcome the sixth annual cohort of Hui Mo‘olelo:
The cohort will be guided by Sissy Lake-Farm, Maui Public Art Corps’ Cultural Director and kumu hula of Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Lauaʻe. For six years now, Hui Mo‘olelo has brought together people from across the county to record intergenerational talk-stories. These conversations, rooted in place, capture the spirit, memories, and identity of Maui County in ways that can be passed on to future generations. They also become the foundation for new works of public art. Later this year, artists will be invited to interpret selected stories into performances, murals and other creative expressions, creating a cycle of storytelling and art that begins with the community itself. As Sissy Lake-Farm put it, “The artists come. But we provide them with the tools. They have expertise and ideas. But it’s about us here and it’s about the stories that we provide… It’s rooted in us and that’s the difference.” The new cohort gathered for its first training session this week, and the energy in the space was joyful. Participants shared personal journeys that ranged from ocean science to health care, food security, teaching, and the performing arts. Maui Food Bank’s Tina Kailiponi, who also directs youth theater, admitted she had been waiting for this moment: “Maybe one day, one day they’re going to ask me. And then—Yay. Thank you for having me. I am super excited for this opportunity.” Performer and teaching artist Francis Taua shared a similar feeling: “I’m so happy to be part of things like this where we get to actually be part of or give back to our community.” Every talk-story recording made through Hui Mo‘olelo is archived through StoryCorps at the Library of Congress’ American Folklife Center, adding Maui County voices to a growing national collection of oral histories. The program’s impact has been recognized with national support from the National Endowment for the Arts, and Mayor Richard Bissen has noted how it reflects the generosity of our kūpuna, saying, “These grants are a testament to the dedication and creativity of our community, as well as the generosity shown by our kūpuna to share precious memories and knowledge about Maui County places, customs, natural resources, and events.” As this sixth cohort begins its journey, the purpose of Hui Mo‘olelo remains beautifully simple: to honor the voices of our community, preserve them with care, and carry them forward through the power of art. Learn more about Hui Mo‘olelo at mauipublicart.org/hui-moolelo. Meet this cohort at mauipublicart.org/cohort25. When people think of Maui Public Art Corps, many picture a mural. And yes, murals are part of our story. They’re beautiful, familiar and easy to spot. But murals are just one chapter in a much larger book we’re writing together. The real heart of what we do beats quietly, in small rooms, with small groups of people who show up not always knowing the full “why”. That’s where Hui Mo‘olelo begins. Hui Mo‘olelo isn’t a training or a class, not really. It’s more of a commitment, a gentle rite of passage that asks something vulnerable from you: your presence. Over three two-hour gatherings, small cohorts — usually no more than ten people, learn not just how to tell stories, but how to listen for them, how to hold space for them, and how to be changed by them. People arrive curious but unsure. Why meet three times? Why not just get instructions and carry on? But as the sessions unfold, something shifts. You find yourself telling stories aloud to near-strangers, and in doing so, you realize how much generosity storytelling actually takes. And when the time comes to sit down with a recording partner (a family member, a kupuna, someone whose story might otherwise fade), you’re ready, not because you memorized a checklist, but because you’ve learned to listen from a place of respect and courage. When these intergenerational stories are gathered, Maui Public Art Corps doesn’t file them away. Instead, we work with a team of editors who carefully choose short excerpts—just two or three minutes, from each recording. These become the seed for a different kind of creativity: public art. Artists from around the world listen to these community voices and vie for the chance to bring them to life through murals, performances, experiences, installations and more. It’s important to understand: these aren’t “artist projects.” They’re community projects. The artist is just one part of the puzzle. Hui Mo‘olelo is co-owned, every step of the way. The teaching artists who guide the cohort. The cohort members who show up and lean into discomfort. The intergenerational partners who trust us with their stories. The artists who listen deeply before they create. And, just as critically, the hundreds of community members who join the process along the way, from deciding where these artworks should happen – where they can transform spaces into places that feel like they belong to all of us, to hosting open workshops that develop each proposal into a work deeply rooted in sense of place. Right now, we’re looking for those spaces. We’re asking you to help. Do you know a park, a plaza, a walking path, or an overlooked corner in your neighborhood that feels like it could hold a mural, a pop-up performance, a community workshop? We’re seeking places across Maui County—public spaces, or privately-owned spaces open to the public (POPS), where new stories can be planted in 2026. You can nominate a site or suggest your own through a short survey we’re collecting now. Think of places that are accessible, open, welcoming, and not tied to the benefit of a single business or home. Places where people pass through without needing to spend a dollar. Places that could mean something more. This is why public art exists. Not to decorate, but to make our neighborhoods more livable. To create spaces that invite conversation, curiosity, connection. To make visible the stories that hold us together. If you feel curious about joining our next Hui Mo‘olelo cohort, know that what we’re asking isn’t small, but it is simple. We’re asking for your voice, your time, your presence. And in return, you’ll help carry forward the stories that shape Maui’s future. Because Hui Mo‘olelo is more than murals. It’s about people. And we hope you’ll join us. Preserving Our Stories at the Library of Congress: Through our collaboration with StoryCorps, all Hui Mo‘olelo recordings are published to the StoryCorps Archive and preserved at the American Folklife Center (AFC) of the Library of Congress, ensuring availability to future generations of researchers and historians. These recordings are processed and securely stored by StoryCorps before being transferred to the Library of Congress for long-term preservation. While the StoryCorps collection at the Library is currently a closed collection and not accessible to the public on-site, you can access these interviews through archive.storycorps.org/user/mauipublicart and archive.storycorps.org/user/stba. By participating, we are contributing to a growing national archive that reflects the diverse voices and experiences of people across the United States.
A blessing and unveiling of two newly installed public artworks by Maui artist Courtney Holland and Los Angeles-based artist James Dinh is scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 10 am at Keōpūolani Regional Park in Kahului. The gathering will take place at the Kanaloa Avenue entrance near the Skate Park and will honor not only the completed works, but also the many hands and voices that shaped their creation. The public is encouraged to participate.
Each mural serves as the artistic backdrop to a new outdoor Fitness Court—one by Holland at Keōpūolani Regional Park and one by Dinh at Kahului Community Center Park, marking a new partnership with the County of Maui, the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the National Fitness Campaign. The public artworks are affixed to the 224-square-foot sheer back walls of the Fitness Court structures, which are designed to promote health and movement in public spaces. Recognizing this as a powerful site for creative expression, the project team saw the mural surfaces as opportunities to expand on public input received through the 2023 Maui County Public Art Community Survey—calling for artworks that preserve local stories, honor the environment, and celebrate cultural history. Originally set for unveiling in fall 2023, this public art project was postponed in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires as all partners prioritized support for community recovery. By November 2023, artists Courtney Holland and James Dinh had completed their mural designs following a five-month collaborative development process grounded in place-based storytelling, cultural consultation, and historical research. The project was led by the County of Maui's SMALL TOWN * BIG ART initiative in collaboration with Maui Public Art Corps, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House / Maui Historical Society, HMSA, the National Fitness Campaign, and a core group of community consultants who generously offered insights into the history, culture, and sense of place of Kahului and Keōpūolani Regional Park. These individuals included Mary Kielty, Chief of Recreation for the County of Maui Department of Parks & Recreation; Art Vento of Maui Arts & Cultural Center; Kauwela Bisquera of the Kahului Rotary Club; Aunty Kekoa Enomoto, community advocate; Sissy Lake-Farm, kumu hula of Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Lauaʻe; Ann-Marie Power of AMPLove Project Management; and Kelly White of Maui Public Art Corps and the County’s public art program. Courtney Holland’s mural, rooted in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: “O ka pono ke hana ʻia a iho mai na lani” (“Continue to do good until the heavens come down to you”), is a personal reflection on her roots in Kahului and the enduring legacy of her kūpuna. “By seeing my work in this space, I hope the community feels a deeper connection to the stories, emotions, or themes I’ve explored,” said Holland. “My goal is to spark reflection, conversation, and perhaps even inspiration. My artistic process is rooted in exploration, intuition, and storytelling. It’s not always linear—often, it’s about embracing the unknown and allowing the work to evolve naturally.” James Dinh’s mural, rooted in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: “Hānau ka ‘āina, hānau ke ali‘i, hānau ke kanaka” (“Born was the land, born were the chiefs, born were the common people”), weaves together references to native plants and animals, hula gestures, community history, and oral traditions shared by Kahului residents. From stories of royal fishponds told by Aunty Kekoa Enomoto to cultural insights from Art Vento, Kauwela Bisquera, and Mary Kielty, Dinh created a sweeping composition that speaks to the interconnectedness of land, leadership, and community. “I hope the mural serves as a vibrant reflection of the community’s identity and cultural richness,” said Dinh. “My artistic process is grounded in listening, collaboration, and connection. I begin by learning the stories and histories of the community, which shape both the concept and the visual language of the work.” Kumu hula and cultural consultant Sissy Lake-Farm reflected on the role of culture bearers in the mural development process: “We helped shape this project by ensuring that the manaʻo shared came from a place of ʻike and kuleana. The result is not just two beautiful artworks—it is a living archive of community, layered with meaning and intention.” “These murals embody the very purpose of our public art program,” said Kelly White, Public Art Program Manager for the County of Maui and Chair of Maui Public Art Corps. “They tell stories that matter, created by artists who listened deeply to community members who love this place. When we center the voices of our residents in public space design, we all benefit.” The public is warmly invited to attend the July 7 blessing and unveiling, which will be led by Uncle Bill Garcia, a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, and Kākalaleo (Kumu in the art of chant) for Nā Hanona Kūlike O Piʻilani. This will be a chance to meet artist Courtney Holland, learn more about the community-based process that brought the murals to life, and celebrate the role of art in shaping shared spaces. For more information, visit www.mauipublicart.org/events This program is made possible through the County of Maui, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and the National Fitness Campaign.
Event Agenda
9:45 am
Guest arrival & opening music 📍 Pilina Building (see map) 10:00 am Opening Pule led by Uncle Bill Garcia Unveiling of Eric Finley (SEVEN) Mural with partner & storyteller remarks Inspired by moʻolelo of Louis Garcia III & Kaliko Storer 📍 Pilina Building 10:55 am Guest arrival at Kupa'a Building Unveiling of Jay Gilleard (Cbloxx) Mural with partner & storyteller remarks Inspired by moʻolelo of Anuhea Yagi, Hōaka Delos Reyes, Nicolita Garces & Ashley Ancheta Galacgac 📍 Kupa'a Building (see map) 11:25 am Guest arrival at Ka'a Ike Building Unveiling of Solomon Enos' Mural with partner & storyteller remarks Inspired by moʻolelo of Uncle “Gaby” Gouveia & Pualani Enos Closing Remarks 📍 Ka'a Ike Building (see map) 11:45 am Guest arrival at Pāʻina Building Music by Uncle Gaby & ohana during lunch gifted by UH 📍 Pāʻina Building (see map)
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