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.

On June 11, 2025, Maui Public Art Corps' Hōkū Pavao led a community engagement session in support of Solomon Enos’ mural project inspired by the moʻolelo of Uncle “Gaby” Gouveia and Pualani Enos. Rooted in kuleana—our shared responsibility to care for one another, our stories, and our ʻāina, an intimate gathering at Kahului's Maui Family YMCA brought together community members, hula dancers, and Uncle Gaby himself to reflect, move, and connect.

Uncle Gaby shared deeply personal reflections on life, legacy, and love through the story of the manjiro, a moʻolelo passed down from his father and Uncle Earl. His words opened hearts, prompting spontaneous sharing among participants—stories of healing, memory, and the quiet power of affection. Live mele and hula deepened the moment. The group danced to “Puamana” and “Koali,” performed by Uncle Gaby, and offered a surprise hula to “Mele ʻOhana” as a gift back to him—an emotional exchange that brought the room together as one ʻohana. Uncle Gaby’s grandson, Waepua, was also present, and the shared aloha lifted what had started as a difficult day into something joyful and unforgettable.

As participant Luana Paahana reflected, “That experience may change our papa and individual’s lives. The lessons on life and ʻohana and the hug touched me deeply and many others, for sure.”

This gathering served as a powerful reminder that kuleana is not just duty—it is listening, dancing, remembering, and loving. It is healing through story.

Learn more about this project: mauipublicart.org/gaby

Public art is often seen as the final product—a mural on a wall, a sculpture in a courtyard, a performance unfolding in a public square. But Maui Public Art Corps understands that the most meaningful public art begins long before the artwork takes form. It begins with community, with conversation, and with a deep and intentional connection to place.

That connection is at the heart of Hui Mo‘olelo, a storytelling-based public art initiative developed in collaboration with the County of Maui that centers the voices, experiences, and cultural knowledge of our local community. This June, we invite you to become a part of that process through two free, carefully designed community engagement events that continue to grow from the stories and relationships built in past Hui Mo‘olelo programs.

On Monday, June 16, we’ll gather at Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes & Wetlands Refuge from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. for Talk-Story on the Land, a guided walk led by Scott Fisher, Director of ʻĀina Stewardship at Hawaiʻi Land Trust. This refuge, located within the moku of Wailuku, is more than a beautiful landscape—it is layered with the histories of ancient Hawaiian villages, restored fishponds, sacred sites, and native species brought back through years of dedicated stewardship. Scott Fisher, a past Hui Mo‘olelo participant and long-time advocate for ʻāina-based learning, brings these stories to life in a way that honors the intricate relationships between people and land. By walking this path together—listening, observing, and asking questions—we cultivate a deeper understanding of what it means to belong to a place, and how that understanding can shape art that truly reflects the soul of our community.

This gathering also supports the development of Pua Liʻiliʻi (small flowers), a new site-responsive performance by acclaimed Native Hawaiian choreographer Christopher Kaui Morgan. Christopher’s work, part of our Hui Mo‘olelo: Lei Pua ʻAla program, is deeply tied to the land, culture, and identities that have shaped Hawaiʻi, including those of our queer communities. His work offers an interpretation of the stories of Hōkū Pavao, Francis Taua, Sean-Joseph Takeo Kahāokalani Choo and William Haʻo. This connection between place and performance reminds us that boundaries are not always as defined as we imagine; Waiheʻe is not separate from Wailuku, but a vital part of it.

Then, on Thursday, June 19 from 9 to 11 a.m., we invite you to Maui Nui Botanical Gardens for a Lāʻau Lapaʻau Garden Tour & Philippine Plant Medicine Workshop led by Hui Mo‘olelo storytellers Namea Hoshino and Nicolita “Nicki” Garces. Set among more than 60 thriving varieties of Hawaiian kalo, this hands-on, story-rich workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn about both Hawaiian and Philippine healing traditions through the lens of two cultural practitioners deeply rooted in their communities.

Namea, raised in Lahaina and trained in Hawaiian Studies, has led years of cultural workshops on kalo and its role in Hawaiian identity and resilience. Nicki, a queer Filipinx healer and activist from Kalihi, shares traditional Hilot practices and plant wisdom passed down through generations. Together, they embody a multi-layered sense of place—one that honors lineage, survival, and transformation. This gathering informs the creation of a new Hui Mo‘olelo mural at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College by international artist Jay Gilleard, also known as Cbloxx. The mural will reflect the story of master stone carver Uncle Hōaka Delos Reyes, as recorded by Anuhea Yagi, and contemporary queer histories shared by Nicolita and fellow storyteller Ashley Ancheta Galacgac. It’s a piece that holds both tradition and identity in balance—and it begins with community.

By joining us for either or both of these events, you’re not just learning about the stories behind a work of art—you’re participating in the process of honoring them. You’re helping us remember that art is not just for us, but of us. Not just on the land, but of the land. And that our public spaces can carry meaning when they are shaped by the people who know them best.

We hope you’ll RSVP, show up, and add your voice to this growing tapestry of place-based storytelling and shared creation. These moments of connection are what make public art truly public—and deeply personal.

View our entire June 2025 lineup at https://mailchi.mp/mauipublicart/june2025

Maui Public Art Corps, in partnership with Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/Maui Historical Society, the County of Maui, and the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi project of the Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities, is proud to announce the upcoming premiere of a powerful new pop-up performance by acclaimed Native Hawaiian choreographer Christopher Kaui Morgan.

Set to premiere in Wailuku on June 14 and 19, 2025, Christopher’s work is inspired by moʻolelo of Hōkū Pavao, Francis Taua, Sean-Joseph Takeo Kahāokalani Choo, and William Haʻo; each shared through the Hui Mo‘olelo: Lei Pua ʻAla initiative. Blending hula, contemporary dance, and original music by TJ Keanu Tario, the performance is an intimate, site-responsive reflection on resilience, presence, and the nuances of being seen. A custom garment by renowned fiber artist Marques Hanalei Marzan features as a living metaphor of concealment and revelation.

“This work is about making space—for ourselves, for our stories, and for each other. These performances are love letters to the moʻolelo and the people who trusted me with them,” shares Christopher Kaui Morgan. “It invites us to see each other more clearly—and to honor the courage it takes to be visible."

The Hui Mo‘olelo: Lei Pua ʻAla cohort included 11 storytellers who completed immersive training in storytelling under the guidance of Sissy Lake-Farm, Executive Director of Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society and Kumu Hula, Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Lauaʻe. Their recordings – each with a partner of their own choosing – are now publicly accessible at mauipublicart.org/hui-moolelo, archived at the Maui Historical Society, and housed at the Library of Congress American Folklife Center. These moʻolelo formed the foundation for a call for artist proposals, with Christopher selected by a community panel for his powerful concept and demonstrated commitment to community engagement.

“Many voices create a more honest and complex history,” shares Aiko Yamashiro, Executive Director of Hawaiʻi Council for the Humanities. “The Hui Moʻolelo Lei Pua ʻAla project helps us honor important community stories that have not been shared, and invites our community to actively create a safer and more vibrant future for all of us.”

Following his selection, Christopher met with storytellers, consulted with partners and cultural experts, and worked closely with Maui Public Art Corps to conduct extensive site research. This process led to two organically chosen performance sites:

• June 14, 2025 (7 pm) – Market Street, Wailuku Town: Presented in partnership with Aloha Maui Pride, this performance reflects ongoing community collaboration.
  
• June 19, 2025 (5 pm) – at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Wailuku: Set against the backdrop of Eric Okdeh’s vibrant mural Ma kāhi o ka hana he ola malaila (where work is, there is life), the pairing of Christopher’s garment-centered dance with the kimono motif of the mural creates a poignant dialogue across mediums.
  

“Not being able to see oneself reflected in one’s own family or community or one’s cultural history means you can never see yourself as a person of any value. Therefore, your chances at life become very problematic. That is what we have seen over the years; people of differing gender and sexuality live on the margins and don’t have a chance of success in an educational or work environment, and in forming healthy relationships, etc. So I think this project is aimed at looking historically at what some of those challenges have been, but more importantly at what resilience has looked like. How do we lift up and make ourselves and these experiences across the various cultures of Hawaii more visible?” – Joe Wilson, co-director of the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawai‘i Project

Join us in the process. Talk story. Walk the land. Witness the performance. Let’s celebrate the vibrant stories that make our community whole.

Free Community Events:

• Wailuku Mural Tour & Talk Story | June 13, 2025
  
• Talk Story on the Land with the HILT's Scott Fisher | June 16, 2025, Waiheʻe Coastal Lands and Wetlands Refuge
  
• Pop-Up Performances | June 14 & June 19, 2025, Wailuku
  
• All events are free and open to the public. The community is warmly invited to witness these moving celebrations of identity, story, and place.
  

Event details and RSVP information available at: www.mauipublicart.org/seen

About Hui Mo‘olelo
A partnership amongst Maui Public Art Corps, the County of Maui and the Maui Historical Society, the Hui Mo‘olelo program cultivates community stories that highlight Maui County history, culture, and sense of place. Stories are shared through public artworks, workshops, online archives, and institutions including the Maui Historical Society and the Library of Congress. Each story captures intergenerational connections and authentic moments of insight, helping ensure cultural heritage is preserved and passed down.

Maui Public Art Corps, in partnership with Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation and the Lāhainā Restoration Foundation, invites the community to a special blessing and unveiling of two new public artworks on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM at Keōpūolani Regional Park. Please meet at the first parking lot inside the Kanaloa Avenue entrance, next to the YMCA.

The blessing 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. Uncle Bill serves as the resident kahu for Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society.

"Uncle Bill helps to bless and do the opening pule for all our important events and annual meetings," shares Sissy Lake-Farm, Executive Director of Hale Hōʻikeʻike. "We are so honored and lucky to have him as a valued resource."

The two new artworks are the first in a pilot project to transform Maui County Parks utility boxes into vibrant, place-based works of art—each grounded in authentic local storytelling. Designed to uplift early-career Maui County creatives and enrich our shared environment, the project is presented in partnership with the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation. Artists applied for the project through a spring Request For Proposals (RFP) and were selected to participate based on community panel review. They each received a $1,000 artist honorarium through a grant awarded to Maui Public Art Corps by the Fred Baldwin Memorial Foundation. 

Both pieces are inspired by recordings from Hui Mo‘olelo, a program that cultivates community stories celebrating Maui’s history, culture, and sense of place.

Christopher Carraway of Kīhei created a work rooted in the story of Reverend Gensho Hara, the Lāhainā Jodo Mission, and his daughter Yayoi Hara. Grounded in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau #2066 — Mai ka piko o ke poʻo a ka poli o ka wāwae, a laʻa ma nā kihi ʻehā o ke kino (From the crown of the head to the soles of the feet, and the four corners of the body) — Carraway's artwork recognizes the many community members displaced from Lāhainā and honors their enduring connections to Maui.

"I have a lot of feelings and passion about this project and know that I am but a spoke in the wheel," says Christopher. "This truly is a project by and for the community. My hope is that with Maui’s blessing, I am able to bring such a beautiful story to light for everyone to enjoy and be proud of."

Sarah DeYoung of Haʻikū created a work rooted directly in the stories of Kahului. Inspired by the deep ties between Sissy Lake-Farm, Lopaka White, and Hawaiian Canoe Club, her design honors Kealoha—the canoe and its namesake, Kealoha Lake—whose legacy of community, culture, and aloha continues through generations. Her piece draws from ‘Ōlelo No‘eau #2268 — Nānā ka maka; hoʻolohe ka pepeiao; paʻa ka waha (Observe with the eyes; listen with the ears; shut the mouth. Thus one learns). 

"What an amazing weekend," shares Sarah. "It was SO much fun being part of the community and installing art. So many fun conversations and lots of cute dogs—you literally put me in my dream location! I'm exhausted, but in the best way possible. This feels like the start of something beautifully new, and I’m so grateful Maui Public Art Corps gave me this opportunity. No words to describe my gratitude."

Reflecting on the canoe Kealoha's significance, Sissy Lake-Farm adds: "When you acknowledge a canoe like Kealoha, you recognize that you are part of a larger body. It’s not just you; it’s the whole community moving forward together. That’s the way our stories move, too—together, generation after generation."

Lopaka White, Reserve Operations Manager of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission and President of the Board of Directors of Maui Historical Society, further shares: "Paddling and protecting our resources go hand in hand. Being part of Kealoha’s story means understanding that the strength of the canoe comes from everyone’s collective effort, whether it's in the ocean or on the land."

Kelly White, Chair of Maui Public Art Corps and Manager of the County of Maui's Public Art Program, emphasizes the importance of connecting people, place, and story: "These artworks demonstrate our mission to connect people, place and story through the development of exceptional public art projects. We're especially grateful to the County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation for allowing us to launch this pilot initiative at Keōpūolani Regional Park. Through authentic storytelling and creative expression, we’re enriching our shared spaces and supporting the next generation of Maui artists."

Attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs, sun protection, and water.

The event is free and open to the public. 

For more information, visit mauipublicart.org/box

Maui Public Art Corps is thrilled to introduce the Hui Mo‘olelo: Lei Pua ʻAla cohort and story partners — an inspiring group of storytellers whose voices bring to life the rich, interwoven narratives of Hawai‘i’s queer history and culture. This initiative, in partnership with the County of Maui, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/Maui Historical Society, and the Lei Pua ʻAla Queer Histories of Hawaiʻi project, is dedicated to preserving and amplifying local stories that celebrate identity, connection, and belonging.

This year’s Lei Pua ʻAla cohort—our fifth annual Hui Mo‘olelo program—features storytellers from both O‘ahu and Maui, each of whom has completed immersive, intergenerational storytelling training under the guidance of Sissy Lake-Farm, Executive Director of Hale Hōʻikeʻike and Kumu Hula of Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Laua‘e. Their work has resulted in 11 powerful audio recordings, now accessible to the public through mauipublicart.org, the Maui Historical Society archives, and the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress.

These deeply personal and historically significant stories now serve as the foundation for Maui Public Art Corps’ latest call for artist proposals. Artists from all disciplines—visual, performance, and experiential—are invited to choose a story and transform it into a public art piece in collaboration with the community. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2025.

Below, meet the Hui Mo‘olelo: Lei Pua ʻAla cohort members and their story recording partners. Click on each link to listen to their stories and explore the lived experiences that continue to shape and inspire Hawaiʻi’s cultural landscape:

Hōkū Pavao, Maui Arts Administrator, Artist &  Co-Founder of Archive for Health Arts and Spirit, is a Kanaka Maoli Maui-born and raised performing artist and arts administrator dedicated to using theatre as a powerful tool for community storytelling and social change. Her current work focuses on crafting narratives that celebrate Maui’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and amplify underrepresented voices, ensuring the arts remain accessible and reflective of her community.

Maui Performing Artist & Teaching Artist Francis Tauʻa was raised on Maui and has been part of the local theatre Ohana for over 40 years. He has been a teacher and director of primarily children’s theatre arts and has worked with ages from 4-17 as well as directing Adult productions for various theatre organizations on the island. He is the nephew of Kumu Keli’i Tau’a and is currently working on a degree in Hawaiian Studies through the University of Hawai’i Maui Campus.

Cynthia Cary, LCSW, recently retired from private practice, and is a former instructor at UH Maui College teaching sociology, counseling and social work courses. Lee Stein, MSW and CSAC, retired from UH Maui College in 2018, where she served as Human Services Program Coordinator and a professor in human services and social work classes. Cynthia and Lee have been together for 30 years and married for 15 years.

Val Tavai, Senior Community Services Manager at Honolulu Community Action Program, grew up in Makakilo in a Samoan-Filipino family, with ties to Maui and Lanaʻi. While attending college on the continent, they became involved in LGBTQ activism.  When they returned home, they were active in the early organizing for same-sex marriage in Hawaiʻi. They are the current senior community services manager at the Honolulu Community Action Program in Waiʻanae.

ʻO Stephanie Nohelani Teves, I am a Kanaka Maoli feminist from Puʻuloa, Oʻahu where I live with my ʻohana. I trace my genealogies to the Makakoa line of Lahaina, Maui and the Akawa line of Pukoʻo, Molokaʻi. I am an associate professor and chair of the department of women, gender, and sexuality studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. I am the author of Defiant Indigeneity: The Politics of Hawaiian Performance (2018) and co-editor of Native Studies Keywords (2015). I have co-edited special issues of American Quarterly (2024) and Amerasia Journal (2023), as well as published articles on Hawaiian hip-hop, film, and sexuality in the Pacific. My research specializes in theorizing and analyzing the range of Kānaka Maoli life and expression. My most recent publication The Mahele of Our Bodies: Nā Moʻolelo Māhū/LGBTQ (2025) is an edited collection of oral histories with ten Hawaiian elders. One of few studies of Native/Indigenous queer oral histories, it provides an exploration of community and nation building, culture and tradition, and how all are navigated in the struggle for Indigenous self-determination and rights.

Kenji Cataldo, Co-Host & Producer of Hawai’i Rising, a podcast produced by Hawai’i People’s Fund & Frank Lee

Pualani Enos, UH Mānoa Matsunaga Institute for Peace & Troy Siruno, Hawaii Leadership Forum

Angelica Daoang grew up in Central Maui and graduated as a valedictorian from Maui High School. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and has a background in environmental advocacy and research. She has contributed to sustainability and climate policy through her work with organizations such as Maui Tomorrow Foundation and the Thurston Climate Action Team. Angelica currently works at Mālama Law Group, where she supports Lahaina fire survivors. Her ultimate goal is to combine her experience in environmental science with law and policy to drive meaningful lasting change in society.

Lance D. Collins is a Maui-based transdisciplinary scholar, multimedia creative, and attorney. He edits the long-running West Maui book series and has contributed to several volumes, including Tourism Impacts West Maui (2016), Social Change in West Maui (2019) and Historical Investigations in West Maui (2024). His published research explores the comparative legal histories of Hawai‘i and the Philippines during their American colonial periods.  A Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning music producer, Lance has also produced award-winning films, including My Partner, Hawai‘i’s first Boys’ Love genre film (also credited as writer), and the short film My Parents (also credited as co-director). He recently produced Noa Helela’s Aloha Kaua at Palikū Theatre and ʻĪao Theater, a story of Kauikeaouli in the time of Kaomi. His latest project is producing a Ilokano language BL webseries with a Hawai‘i sakada subplot. He is proudly the recipient of the Onipa'a Lifetime Achievement award from the Sierra Club of Hawai‘i, the Maui Filipino Chamber of Commerce's Gintong Pamana Award and Hawai‘i Thousand Friends' Unsung Hero Award.

Preserving Our Stories at the Library of Congress: Through our collaboration with StoryCorps, all interviews are published to the StoryCorps Archive and preserved at the American Folklife Center (AFC) of the Library of Congress, ensuring its 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 as well as 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.

On Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, 2025, Maui Public Art Corps in collaboration with the County of Maui, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House / Maui Historical Society and Lahaina Restoration Foundation will host its fourth Hui Mo‘olelo Film Festival from 3 PM to 5 PM, FREE at ProArts Playhouse in Kīhei. The public is invited to this premiere of a new collection of animated film shorts that celebrate Lahaina history, culture and sense of place.

The result of the collective’s summer 2024 call to artists, the films stem from the developing Hui Mo'olelo program. Through previous cohort participants Kalapana Kollars of the Lahaina Restoration Foundation and Anuhea Yagi, Student of Hawaiian Life Ways, a cohort of storytellers were prepared, then paired with intergenerational partners to audio-record memories rooted in Lahaina. The recordings formed the basis of a call for artist proposals to translate a story as a work of public art. More than 100 public artworks have been created to date, including murals, mele, dance, sculpture, animation, lightwork, and more.

Upon selection by a community panel, artists Sasha Hercik​​ of Kihei, Richard O’Connor of Brooklyn, NY and a team of University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, School of Cinematic Arts students -- Jenna Lee, Syril Pecson, Zach Quemado, and Abby Worthley, entered a period of project development to meet the storytellers, learn more about the context of their stories, and infuse the evolving design with a sense of place distinct to each recording. Working closely with Hui Mo‘olelo partners since September 2024, the artists’ animated film shorts will be presented in alignment with recorded talk-story excerpts about Lahaina. Story participants include 1) Jennifer Freeland & her father Haines Burt Freeland, 2), Louis Garcia III & Kaliko Storer, 3) Teva Medeiros & his grandfather Timothy Medeiros Sr., 4) ​Coach Earle Kukahiko & Kaliko Storer, 5) Abraham "Snake" Ah Hee & Myrna Ah Hee, 6) Reverend Gensho Hara, Lāhainā Jodo Mission & his daughter, Yayoi Hara, 7) Sally Ann Delos Reyes & Lopaka White, and 8) Theo Morrison, Executive Director, Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

“The Hui Mo‘olelo program has been so nourishing," shares Anuhea Yagi, "I think one of the great gifts from was the opportunity to just have a space to connect with others and be free in sharing. Seeing each person's unique qualities and how they were able to express themself as themselves and then relate to others in a way that created new connections – it was really astounding to see and liberating."

"Thank you for selecting our interview," shares Yayoi Hara, whose talk-story with her father Reverend Gensho Hara of the Lāhainā Jodo Mission will be animated in 3 individual artist iterations, "It is so nice to be a part of a project like this, we are uplifted by your enthusiasm and your interest."

The 2025 Hui Mo'olelo Film Festival will be emceed by Sissy Lake-Farm of Hale Hōʻikeʻike, beginning promptly at 3 PM and ending at 5. Free to the public, audience members will experience the premiere of five animated films created from Lahaina talk-story excerpts, each between 3 to 15 minutes in length, as well as a surprise performance from a previous Hui Mo'olelo project and a Q&A with the storytellers. Arrive early to ensure a seat at the theater, which is limited to the first 120 attendees.

To view the artwork research, listen to the story recordings, and more, visit mauipublicart.org/filmfest which links to all individual project pages.

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Maui Public Art Corps will begin a 6-week process of installing a large-scale mural across the temporary campus of King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which is located at 100 Akahele Street in Lahaina. 

Selected by a community panel from a pool of 33 applicants, the design will be led by artists Roxy and Matt Ortiz, a husband-and-wife creative duo, who paint under the name Wooden Wave (@wooden_wave).

As an alumni of King Kamehameha III Elementary, Roxy shares, "I have a deep connection to the school and want to contribute as much as I can. I attended the school from Kindergarten all the way to 5th grade, so many of my core memories were made there."

Working in partnership with Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society, the County of Maui and Lahaina Restoration Foundation, the mural is being commissioned through the collaborative Hui Mo‘olelo: Lahaina program, which cultivates stories celebrating Lahaina history, culture and sense of place and engages community members to co-design art that is directly rooted in these stories. 

"We were first approached by the school and by FEMA in March of this year to determine whether or not our Hui Mo‘olelo program could engage a new Lahaina cohort that would inspire potential works of public art at the site," shares Kelly White, manager of the County of Maui's public art program and chair of Maui Public Art Corps, "by June, we had a new collaboration with Lahaina Restoration Foundation that brought Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā to life. In August, we released the call for artist proposals, and here we are in October, deep into project development with an entire new team of partners and stakeholders. It feels very clear that this was the right approach for this public art project." 

For their proposal, Roxy and Matt selected stories shared by Uncle Snake & Aunty Myrna Ah Hee, Theo Morrison and Mr. Tom Fujita, all of which can be listened to on their project page (mauipublicart.org/kamehameha). The artists are identifying symbols from each of these stories to create the foundation of their mural design. Students, families, and staff of King Kamehameha III Elementary are currently participating in a survey to share mana‘o about these symbols and to provide other ideas for the artists to consider as they create their mural blueprint. Lahaina community members and alumni of the school are also encouraged to contribute at https://forms.gle/ZzXZeccaH5fRYHct9.

"We are incredibly excited to bring this mural project to our temporary campus,” shares Kamehameha III Elementary School Principal Ian Haskins, “It’s a powerful way to infuse our school with the spirit and resilience of Lahaina, even as we look forward to the day when our permanent school is ready."

The Maui Historical Society also expressed strong support for this effort. “The Hui Mo'olelo: Lahaina project fosters a countywide understanding of what Lahaina has endured and celebrated,” shares Sissy Lake-Farm, Executive Director of Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society. “It is a meaningful step toward healing and appreciating the rich history that continues to shape our community.”

The mural will be on view for 3-5 years while the school's permanent site is being developed. Sponsors include the County of Maui, the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture & the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, HCF Maui Strong, Hawai'i Rotary District 5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief Fund, and private donors of Maui Public Art Corps. 

Stay tuned for additional details, invitations to connect with the project and more. 

###

About Maui Public Art Corps
Maui Public Art Corps connects people, place and story through the development of exceptional public art. It was founded in 2020 to expand the work of SMALL TOWN * BIG ART countywide in partnership with the Maui Historical Society and the County of Maui. @mauipublicart  | www.mauipublicart.org

Public art is often seen as a reflection of a community’s identity, values, and spirit. But what happens when the artwork’s intended time in a space comes to an end? Deaccessioning—removing art from a public collection—can provide a unique opportunity for a community to not only reflect on temporality but also to engage with sustainability and creativity in exciting new ways. 

This spring we embarked on a temporary sculpture project in the town of Makawao, inspired by the story of Kim Thayer of Mauna Kahālāwai Watershed Partnership and Scott Fisher, Director of ʻĀina Stewardship at Hawai'i Land Trust –  two figures whose intersectional journey connected us to the vibrant and attentive Makawao community for the first time. Community engagement was immediate and deeply felt, as we hosted a talk story with sculptor Matthias Neumann and his storytelling muses at Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center, developed “Little Free Art Galleries” with the students of Seabury Hall, collected artwork to exchange from students of UHMC’s visual arts department, and led a panel discussion at the Makawao Public Library. 

​One of the most rewarding aspects of this project was the collaboration that emerged with the Hawaii State Public Library System, which graciously allowed us to install the sculpture on their property from April to August 2024. The library became an anchor for creative activities, coordinating free art days and workshops, inviting the community to explore the sculpture and express their responses through drawing and writing. It was moving to witness how many people, of all ages, engaged with the artwork, sharing stories and feelings about what it meant to them.

In a creative and community-driven turn, Seabury Hall has played a huge role in amplifying the project. Students helped drum up interest by inviting local artists to showcase their work at Little Free Art Galleries, fostering a spirit of involvement. But perhaps the most exciting development is currently underway as Bill Levien’s engineering students are taking the lead in repurposing the sculpture materials. These materials, once an inspiring centerpiece in the heart of Makawao, are currently being transformed into sitting benches that will be installed at parks and community spaces throughout Maui. 

These benches won’t just be functional. They will carry with them the spirit of the original artwork. 

Repurposing deaccessioned public art is a powerful statement of resilience, creativity, and sustainability. It not only prevents waste but also extends the life of an artwork, giving it a new form and purpose. In Makawao, what began as a single sculpture has sparked a deeper connection between art, education, and community spaces. 

​So much of the beauty of public art lies in its ability to bring people together, start conversations, and inspire new ideas. And sometimes, that conversation continues long after the initial installation is gone—morphing into something just as meaningful and impactful as the original piece.