Celebrating Community Storytelling in Maui County: New Voices Join Hui Mo‘olelo in 2025

Maui Public Art Corps, in partnership with the County of Maui, is proud to welcome the sixth annual cohort of Hui Mo‘olelo:

• Andrea Kealoha, Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
  
• Kia’i Collier, Waihee Manager, Hawaii Land Trust
  
• Nalani Kalama-Kaikala, Registered Nurse, MMMC
• Tina Kailiponi, Maui Food Bank
• Kepa Cabanilla-Aricayos, King’s Maui Experience Director
• Naomi Tokishi, Maui High Student
• Francis Taua, Maui Performing Artist & Teaching Artist
• Liana Horovitz, Assistant Professor, History, University of Hawaiʻi Maui College.

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.