Rooted in Story: Honoring ʻOhana Through Dance and Dialogue

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