Ka Lei Ola o ka Moana
A Mural Project at Kaiser Permanente Lahaina
Inspired by ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: #774 "He luelue ka ‘upena e ku‘u ai" and #333 "E lei no au I ko aloha"
Inspired by ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: #774 "He luelue ka ‘upena e ku‘u ai" and #333 "E lei no au I ko aloha"
Project Summary
In early 2024, Maui Public Art Corps was asked to develop a public art project for the temporary site of Kaiser Permanente's Lahaina Clinic, which is currently a pop-up portable unit located at 2301 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761. Working in partnership with Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society, the County of Maui and Lahaina Restoration Foundation, we have commissioned a large-scale mural through our 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. Positioned on a grassy area behind the clinic, the artwork will help to reshape the physical and social character of the space; offering a spark of memory, color and peace. The mural will be on view for 3-5 years while the Clinic's permanent site is being developed.
The role of the arts, particularly storytelling, in disaster recovery and healing cannot be overstated. Hui Moolelo: Lahaina provides a platform for healing, allowing individuals to process loss through shared stories. It fosters resilience, reenforcing community bonds and creating a shared space for reflection and mutual support. Further, it promotes mental health and wellbeing, as engaging in artistic activities can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
The role of the arts, particularly storytelling, in disaster recovery and healing cannot be overstated. Hui Moolelo: Lahaina provides a platform for healing, allowing individuals to process loss through shared stories. It fosters resilience, reenforcing community bonds and creating a shared space for reflection and mutual support. Further, it promotes mental health and wellbeing, as engaging in artistic activities can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
|
In July 2024, Dean Tokishi of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission recorded a talk-story with Mr. Tom Fujita, Lahainaluna H.S. Class of 1962 as part of our Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā program. Through an RFP, professional artists submitted proposals to bring their story to life as a collaborative mural project at Kaiser Permanente's Lāhainā clinic. Upon selection by a community panel, artist Jana Ireijo entered a period of project development to infuse her proposal in Lāhainā history, culture and sense of place -- ultimately resulting in a freely accessible work created through community engagement. The mural was unveiled during a public blessing event on November 25, 2024. Listen to the originating conversation below: • Full Recording HERE • Excerpt HERE |
About the Artist
|
Jana Ireijo: This project is deeply personal to me, as I grew up on Maui and have always felt a strong connection to Lahaina’s cultural and historical identity. My art practice is rooted in connecting people to the ‘āina and kai, emphasizing the importance of preserving our natural and cultural heritage. In the wake of the recent wildfires, my work has taken on a new focus—a desire to aid in Lahaina’s recovery through art while honoring the memories of what made this town - the former capitol of the Hawaiian Kingdom - so special: its diverse community, rich history, and deep sense of family and place.
I envision this mural as a tool for community healing, incorporating symbols that reflect Lahaina’s resilience and the shared experiences of its people. Art is not merely about beautifying a space but creating a visual narrative that ties together the past, present, and future. In this case, I see the mural as a symbol of both healing and hope. My mission is to create art that unites people, reflects their shared values, and helps them envision a better future. I’m particularly excited about this project because it aligns with my belief that rebuilding Lahaina should honor its cultural foundations while addressing current issues like environmental sustainability. These artworks will become symbols of unity, reminding people of Lahaina’s unique character and inspiring future generations to care for both the place and each other. |
Selected in partnership with Sissy Lake-Farm, Kumu Hula, Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Lauaʻe and Executive Director, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House Museum/ Maui Historical Society, this public artwork is rooted in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: #774 "He luelue ka ‘upena e ku‘u ai" and #333 "E lei no au I ko aloha". Read Jana's manaʻo below:
- #774: He luelue ka ‘upena e ku‘u ai. The fine-meshed net is the one to let down into the sea. A fine-meshed net misses nothing, big or small. In seeking wealth, the small things are just as important as the big ones. I like this one as it evokes the feeling of "no person left behind" - that everyone in the community will be taken care of. Also, to remember the smaller, unseen ties that create a community - relationships, history, stories, acts of kindness - all built up over time. A healthy ocean has tiny, microscopic species as well as giant creatures. For the rebuild - the big goals are apparent, but the small things are equally important. The idea of wealth is not just about money, but health, family, friendship, stability and purpose.
- #333: E lei no au I ko aloha. I will wear your love as a wreath. I will cherish your love as a beautiful adornment. I find these two sentences so piercingly heartfelt and true. They are the reaction I had when I first heard the interview between Mr. Fujita and Dean - the love between them and the ocean. I feel a similar deep love for Lahaina from everyone on this project. It's also the very basic and raw emotion I feel when painting this mural, and hope that viewers of the work will receive in return.
Artist Statement
This mural is inspired by the stories and memories of Mr. Tom Fujita, shared in conversation with Dean Tokishi, evoking scenes of childhood fishing trips with his father and family gatherings on Lahaina’s shores. In these reflections, we can recall our own family memories centered around the water, and celebrate the community’s deep bond with the ocean—a source of life, connection, and sustenance. It weaves together marine species and symbols, each chosen from community meetings, and through consultation with cultural advisors and area marine biologists. They embody themes of healing, resilience, and conservation. The lei serves as a tribute to Lahaina's unique culture, honoring both its people and the natural beauty that defines it. Freshwater and saltwater species are woven together to highlight water rights and the health of streams and oceans alike. This lei represents the temporary Kaiser Clinic as a place where healing extends beyond physical care, embracing memory, cultural bonds, and of emotional and communal restoration.
"Ka Lei Ola o ka Moana" is rooted in remembrance, our stories, and respect. It envisions a future where families thrive, raising children with kupuna close by, sustained by clean streams and abundant oceans. This mural stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Lahaina and a call for unity and stewardship, honoring all that makes this place home.
Description of the lei elements:
"Ka Lei Ola o ka Moana" is rooted in remembrance, our stories, and respect. It envisions a future where families thrive, raising children with kupuna close by, sustained by clean streams and abundant oceans. This mural stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Lahaina and a call for unity and stewardship, honoring all that makes this place home.
Description of the lei elements:
- A rainbow is used to “tie” the haku lei. As noted by the Kaiser team, it represents hope, a bridge, and bringing people together.
- ‘Ōpae - A memory of Mr. Fujita’s family beach meals.
- Limu Ogo - the abundance of limu and ‘ōpae represent healthy streams flowing into the ocean.
- I loved hearing about Mr. Fujita’s memory of once seeing a whale shark and the magical vision it inspired
- Menpachi, coral, and limu
- Monk seal and fishing net
- Tiger shark - one of the many sharks Mr. Fujita saw, limu kohu, and coral porites
- Limu kala for healing
- Akule net fishing
- Opelu fish surrounded by healing limu kala. This is the center of the mural. I was very moved by the Kaiser’s team request that the Lahainaluna “L” be included, as it is the pulse of Lahaina. When I paint the fish, the brightest ones (that make up the highlights) will form the L shape.
- Starfish illustrate the constellation Mānaiakalani - the Fishhook of Maui. A triangle of stars in the northeast represents a coil of fishing line that belongs to the demigod, Maui. This is inspired by Mr. Fujita’s memories of nighttime trips to his dad’s net. First his dad retrieved the fish, and then as he got older, he was directed to go in. I imagine how dark the water must have been with just a flashlight and the stars illuminating the sky. This constellation also pays homage to the fisher people who were there before him, who possibly taught Mr. Fujita’s dad to make the nets, and those who come after us.
- Healthy corals supported by herbivores - illustrated here by the manini Mr. Fujita mentioned catching. To the right, aholehole fish.
- The aholehole fish are blowing musubi air bubbles - a nod to his mom’s beach picnics.
- The humpback whale - symbolic to so many of Lahaina. This particular whale is one I have painted repeatedly after the fires. The rainbow “ties” the lei around the clinic.
Community Consultations
Skippy Hau, Sissy Lake-Farm, Andrea Kealoha, Keola Hinau
|
Mr. Tom Fujita & Dean Tokishi
|
Kaiser Logistics Consult
|
‘Ōlelo No‘eau & Project Launch
|
In Hawaii, coral is the foundation of life. What happened to it after the Lahaina wildfire? (Hawaii Tribune Herald, March 2024)
Marble Dash: Shape the Big Picture
|
Join our interactive “Marble Dash” activity, located on the front lanai of the clinic (2301 Kaanapali Pkwy, Lahaina, HI 96761). Simply place a marble in the jar that best represents the healing source that resonates with you today. Results will directly influence the design of this vibrant community mural, reflecting the unique ways we heal together. Every marble makes a difference as we create a collective vision for this shared space.
The question "How do you heal?" invites reflective, strengths-based thinking, encouraging a community that is in the process of collectively healing a way to explore their personal pathways to recovery. The prompts, inspired by our community consultations, include "Food, Ocean, Family, Laughter, Music, and Nature" as starting points to help spark deeper reflection. By asking "How do you heal?", we invite participants to share their unique stories and contribute to a collective sense of resilience and support. The neutral color palette represents the balance of light and dark, allowing the community to "bring the color" through their stories. In honor of purifying and clearing energy, an interwoven lei lāʻi is part of the project, inspired by the lei currently hanging from the lanai, to create a sense of clarity and safety for all who engage with the work. |
Mahalo
Mahalo to our generous supporters! You have made it possible to create this vibrant storytelling mural, a celebration of Lahaina’s rich history, culture, and sense of place. Through months of community conversations, this project has taken shape, capturing the voices and spirit of the community. Thank you for helping bring this vision to life:
- Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā facilitators Anuhea Yagi and Kalapana Kollars
- Storytellers Mr. Tom Fujita & Dean Tokishi
- Partners County of Maui, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society and Lahaina Restoration Foundation
- Sponsors National Endowment for the Arts, Atherton Family Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, HCF Maui Strong and Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA)
- Supporters Lawrence Leahy, FEMA Philanthropic Advisor, Recovery Coordination Group Supervisor, Interagency Recovery Coordination, Lindsey Shiroma, Philanthropic Advisor, Kamaʻāina, Interagency Recovery Coordination, and all of our community panelists
- Community consultants Chris Martin, Kimmie Ouchi, Uncle Skippy Hau, Sissy Lake-Farm, Andrea Kealoha, Keola Hinau, and the entire Kaiser Permanente Lahaina Clinic team
Project Site
Project Timeline
|
|
Maui County Code 16.25.105.2 Item 14, exempt
|
Mural plans include a temporary 60-foot long by 6-foot tall barrier to mask the pictured area of wires and AC units.
------------- We were not authorized to alter the temporary clinic structure in any way, thus the solution of a temporary barrier placed between the building and the flora at the edge of the property. The hope by the stewards of the space is to provide a quiet, peaceful area pre or post healthcare appointment where patients and family members might take photos, sit and enjoy the work, and continue to heal. By exhibiting work inspired by Lahaina elders and developed in collaboration with Lahaina community members, the area will have a lasting impact on patients, staff, and those in view of the mural – which will face outward towards the golf course, road and walkways. |
Hui Mo‘olelo Excerpt: Tom Fujita & Dean Tokishi
DT: So who'd you go with? Just did your dad go dive? Taught you?
TF: You know, you know, funny, my dad, I don't think he ever knew how to swim.
DT: How did you learn how to swim then?
TF: Well, by accident. No, you don't see, like we used to go to the beach all the time. So I, what I remember is like, you know, like shallow water. We still, you know, just float around and swim and stuff like that. And the one time I really knew that I knew how to swim was at the Lāhainā boat harbor. At the Lāhainā boat harbor when we were young, we used to go with the bamboo pole and hook aholehole and mamao and stuff like that. And we used to go to the point. But to get to the point we have to walk all the way down and go on the breakwater and walk all the way to the breakwall. But then the mouth of the harbor is right across, right? So one day I chance it and wind up in the water. I could. I can swim, you know.
DT: So before that though, you werenʻt sure?
TF: Before that, like I said, we swim in the shallow water. But you know, like you swim a little, you could stand up, right? But yeah, that was the first time I said, ”Ah, yeah I know I can.”. So.
DT: Just like, did you just go by yourself or did you follow a bunch of other kids?
TF: Yeah, I think I had, I don't remember who, but maybe two of us or three of us.
DT: Swam across the mala.
TF: I think the other people knew how to swim, really, you know, but so I just followed them. But yeah.
DT: How old were you?
TF: Oh, this was like maybe about 4th grade or so.
DT: Yeah, yeah. Do you remember being any kind of nervous or apprehensive or scared.
TF: No not really
DT: Eh, just go!
TF: Yeah, just go. And yeah, no, I wasn't.
DT: Save a lot of time, yeah.
TF: Oh yeah.
DT: Oh, and so when you started diving it must have been around that age too then already?
TF: Yeah, well those days we, yeah, we still used to get um, we started with a small spear and we used to dive along the shoreline along the harbor. You know that we used to call that old wharf. You know where the old ______ used to be.
DT: Oh, yeah.
TF: There's a Wharf and we used to dive under the Wharf.
DT: The water was clean? Was the water clean?
TF: Oh yeah, it was clean and a lot of aholehole and stuff like that. But when we were young, you know, our spear was really short and just homemade and stuff.
DT: So yeah, what kind of spear? Like Hawaiian sling or three prong?
TF: OK, when we got serious, then I got my real spear and stuff like that. It was a single _______ with a _______ and we used to call it, what they call, a hinge gun. And then we used to dive with that. And then Hawaiian sling really didn't come around till later. People used to use a Hawaiian sling with the single _______, but the three prong didn't come in till kind of later.
DT: So even the hinge gun back then never had Maui Sporting Goods. So you had to make your own.
TF: Yeah, we made our own.
DT: So, everybody just made their own?
TF: Yeah. See, my father was a mechanic and he used to kind of make the hinge a trigger part. It's a regular hinge, but the only thing is you have to weld over one plate to make it a little thicke and drill a hole. But the wooden part, I used to make the wooden part and stuff like that. Yeah.
DT: So who'd you go with? Just did your dad go dive? Taught you?
TF: You know, you know, funny, my dad, I don't think he ever knew how to swim.
DT: How did you learn how to swim then?
TF: Well, by accident. No, you don't see, like we used to go to the beach all the time. So I, what I remember is like, you know, like shallow water. We still, you know, just float around and swim and stuff like that. And the one time I really knew that I knew how to swim was at the Lāhainā boat harbor. At the Lāhainā boat harbor when we were young, we used to go with the bamboo pole and hook aholehole and mamao and stuff like that. And we used to go to the point. But to get to the point we have to walk all the way down and go on the breakwater and walk all the way to the breakwall. But then the mouth of the harbor is right across, right? So one day I chance it and wind up in the water. I could. I can swim, you know.
DT: So before that though, you werenʻt sure?
TF: Before that, like I said, we swim in the shallow water. But you know, like you swim a little, you could stand up, right? But yeah, that was the first time I said, ”Ah, yeah I know I can.”. So.
DT: Just like, did you just go by yourself or did you follow a bunch of other kids?
TF: Yeah, I think I had, I don't remember who, but maybe two of us or three of us.
DT: Swam across the mala.
TF: I think the other people knew how to swim, really, you know, but so I just followed them. But yeah.
DT: How old were you?
TF: Oh, this was like maybe about 4th grade or so.
DT: Yeah, yeah. Do you remember being any kind of nervous or apprehensive or scared.
TF: No not really
DT: Eh, just go!
TF: Yeah, just go. And yeah, no, I wasn't.
DT: Save a lot of time, yeah.
TF: Oh yeah.
DT: Oh, and so when you started diving it must have been around that age too then already?
TF: Yeah, well those days we, yeah, we still used to get um, we started with a small spear and we used to dive along the shoreline along the harbor. You know that we used to call that old wharf. You know where the old ______ used to be.
DT: Oh, yeah.
TF: There's a Wharf and we used to dive under the Wharf.
DT: The water was clean? Was the water clean?
TF: Oh yeah, it was clean and a lot of aholehole and stuff like that. But when we were young, you know, our spear was really short and just homemade and stuff.
DT: So yeah, what kind of spear? Like Hawaiian sling or three prong?
TF: OK, when we got serious, then I got my real spear and stuff like that. It was a single _______ with a _______ and we used to call it, what they call, a hinge gun. And then we used to dive with that. And then Hawaiian sling really didn't come around till later. People used to use a Hawaiian sling with the single _______, but the three prong didn't come in till kind of later.
DT: So even the hinge gun back then never had Maui Sporting Goods. So you had to make your own.
TF: Yeah, we made our own.
DT: So, everybody just made their own?
TF: Yeah. See, my father was a mechanic and he used to kind of make the hinge a trigger part. It's a regular hinge, but the only thing is you have to weld over one plate to make it a little thicke and drill a hole. But the wooden part, I used to make the wooden part and stuff like that. Yeah.