King Kamehameha III Elementary School Temporary Campus Mural Project
"Lahaina Memories" | Inspired by ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Halau Lahaina, malu i ka ‘ulu. (Lahaina is like a large house shaded by breadfruit trees.)
Project Summary
In early 2024, Maui Public Art Corps was asked to develop a public art project for the temporary site of King Kamehameha III Elementary School, which is currently a series of 35 pop-up portable units located below the Kapalua airport at 100 Akahele Street. Working in partnership with Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society, the County of Maui and Lahaina Restoration Foundation, we commissioned a large-scale mural in multiple sections across the campus 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. The mural will be on view for 3-5 years while the school's permanent site is being developed.
In summer 2024, Hui Mo‘olelo cohort members interviewed Uncle Snake & Aunty Myrna Ah Hee, Theo Morrison and Mr. Tom Fujita, each highly revered elders of Lahaina. Professional artists then submitted proposals to bring these stories to life as a collaborative mural project at King Kamehameha III Elementary School's temporary campus. Upon selection by a community panel, artists Roxy & Matt Ortiz (known as Wooden Wave) entered a period of project development to infuse their proposal in Lāhainā history, culture and sense of place -- ultimately resulting in a freely accessible work created through community engagement. The mural was unveiled on December 17, 2024.
Enjoy the stories that form the basis of this mural project below.
Enjoy the stories that form the basis of this mural project below.
|
|
|
About the Artists | @wooden_wave
|
Artists Matthew Kawika Ortiz and Roxanne Ortiz are a husband-and-wife creative duo, who paint under the name Wooden Wave. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, they draw upon Hawaiian values and concepts to present them in a contemporary visual context. They create custom artwork using research specific to the site and its geographical location. Place-based stories and histories are incorporated with a conscious attention to detail. Their colorful imagery emphasizes the beautiful patterns and lifeforms of Hawaiʻi, while telling a story of the site. Their artistic goal is to bring a playful perspective to the world-at-large and to bring hope and joy to those who view their art.
|
Artist Statement
This mural series is a tribute to the rich cultural history and vibrant memories of Lahaina, as shared by beloved local voices: Theo Morrison, Snake and Myrna Ah Hee, and Tom Fujita. Inspired by their stories, we sought to weave together a visual narrative that celebrates Lahaina’s heritage through themes of kalo, ulu, surfing, canoes, and fishing.
The kalo-themed murals honor Apuakehau, the historic King’s Taro Patch once tended by King Kamehameha III. By depicting large, immersive kalo leaves, we invite viewers to feel as if they are standing deep within a thriving lo‘i kalo
Historically, Lahaina was home to a large number of ulu trees, and the original name of the area was Malu ‘Ulu o Lele, “the shaded breadfruit grove of Lele.” Snake Ah Hee shared childhood memories of pounding ulu poi and Theo Morrison described the Baldwin property’s ulu trees. Additionally, we drew inspiration from faculty, staff, and students who fondly remembered the beautiful ulu tree that grew on the original campus.
The wave paintings reflect Snake Ah Hee’s recollections of surfing and pay tribute to the school’s original location near the iconic surf spot “Breakwall.” They celebrate Lahaina’s enduring connection to the ocean as a source of play.
To commemorate the International Canoe Festival which was held annually in Lahaina, we painted a mural of the Hale Wa‘a that housed the double hull canoe Mo‘olele.
Finally, the last set of murals honor Lahaina’s rich fishing culture, a lifeblood of its community and history. Snake Ah Hee’s telling of catching ʻōpelu, and Tom Fujita’s description of fishing with bamboo poles along the Front Street sea wall inspired several of the paintings.
We hope that the murals bring joy to the students, staff and families of Kamehameha III Elementary. Art and color in community spaces can be a powerful tool for healing, and by depicting these landscapes and memories we want to do our part in helping to make Lāhainā beautiful and thriving once again.
The kalo-themed murals honor Apuakehau, the historic King’s Taro Patch once tended by King Kamehameha III. By depicting large, immersive kalo leaves, we invite viewers to feel as if they are standing deep within a thriving lo‘i kalo
Historically, Lahaina was home to a large number of ulu trees, and the original name of the area was Malu ‘Ulu o Lele, “the shaded breadfruit grove of Lele.” Snake Ah Hee shared childhood memories of pounding ulu poi and Theo Morrison described the Baldwin property’s ulu trees. Additionally, we drew inspiration from faculty, staff, and students who fondly remembered the beautiful ulu tree that grew on the original campus.
The wave paintings reflect Snake Ah Hee’s recollections of surfing and pay tribute to the school’s original location near the iconic surf spot “Breakwall.” They celebrate Lahaina’s enduring connection to the ocean as a source of play.
To commemorate the International Canoe Festival which was held annually in Lahaina, we painted a mural of the Hale Wa‘a that housed the double hull canoe Mo‘olele.
Finally, the last set of murals honor Lahaina’s rich fishing culture, a lifeblood of its community and history. Snake Ah Hee’s telling of catching ʻōpelu, and Tom Fujita’s description of fishing with bamboo poles along the Front Street sea wall inspired several of the paintings.
We hope that the murals bring joy to the students, staff and families of Kamehameha III Elementary. Art and color in community spaces can be a powerful tool for healing, and by depicting these landscapes and memories we want to do our part in helping to make Lāhainā beautiful and thriving once again.
Community Consultations
Faculty ‘Ōlelo No‘eau mtg
|
Mr. Fujita & Dean Tokishi
|
Ah Hee 'Ohana, Lopaka White, Steve Franz
|
Theo Morrison & Erin Wade
|
‘Ōlelo No‘eau & project launch
|
Coloring Book for Students!
|
|
|
|
Mural Artwork
|
An abundance of sharks in 1950's Lāhainā waters, from the stories of Uncle Snake and Mr. Fujita
|
|
Snake Ah Hee shared childhood memories of pounding ulu poi and Theo Morrison described the Baldwin property’s ulu trees. Additionally, we drew inspiration from faculty, staff, and students who fondly remembered the beautiful ulu tree that grew on the original campus.
|
|
The kalo-themed murals honor Apuakehau, the historic King’s Taro Patch once tended by King Kamehameha III. By depicting large, immersive kalo leaves, we invite viewers to feel as if they are standing deep within a thriving lo‘i kalo
|
|
The wave paintings reflect Snake Ah Hee’s recollections of surfing and pay tribute to the school’s original location near the iconic surf spot “Breakwall.” They celebrate Lahaina’s enduring connection to the ocean as a source of play.
|
|
This mural honors Lahaina’s rich fishing culture, a lifeblood of its community and history. Snake Ah Hee’s telling of catching ʻōpelu, and Tom Fujita’s description of fishing with bamboo poles along the Front Street sea wall inspired several of the paintings.
|
|
The wave paintings reflect Snake Ah Hee’s recollections of surfing and pay tribute to the school’s original location near the iconic surf spot “Breakwall.” They celebrate Lahaina’s enduring connection to the ocean as a source of play.
|
|
To commemorate the International Canoe Festival which was held annually in Lahaina, we painted a mural of the Hale Wa‘a that housed the double hull canoe Mo‘olele.
|
|
From Snake Ah Hee’s telling of catching ʻōpelu.
|
|
The kalo-themed murals honor Apuakehau, the historic King’s Taro Patch once tended by King Kamehameha III, as shared by the story with Theo Morrison.
|
|
The kalo-themed murals honor Apuakehau, the historic King’s Taro Patch once tended by King Kamehameha III, as shared by the story with Theo Morrison.
|
|
From Snake Ah Hee’s telling of catching ʻōpelu. (mama!)
|
|
Snake Ah Hee shared childhood memories of pounding ulu poi and Theo Morrison described the Baldwin property’s ulu trees. Additionally, we drew inspiration from faculty, staff, and students who fondly remembered the beautiful ulu tree that grew on the original campus.
|
|
Snake Ah Hee shared childhood memories of pounding ulu poi and Theo Morrison described the Baldwin property’s ulu trees. Additionally, we drew inspiration from faculty, staff, and students who fondly remembered the beautiful ulu tree that grew on the original campus.
|
|
From Theo and Snake's stories relating to traditional canoe paddling.
|
|
Halfway through the mural painting process, which lasted for 3 weeks in November and 3 weeks in December, 367 students actively participated in hands-on mural workshops with Matt & Roxy -- resulting in two mural panels at the Student Support Center.
See mural map HERE |
Mahalo
Mahalo to our generous supporters! Your contributions 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 Abraham "Snake" Ah Hee, Lopaka White, Myrna Ah Hee, Theo Morrison, Erin Wade, Mr. Tom Fujita and 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, HCF Maui Strong, Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Hawai'i Rotary District 5000 Foundation Maui Fires Relief Fund, and private donors of Maui Public Art Corps
- 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
- Artist kokua: Gregg Kaplan, Irene Chase, Johnson Ohana Foundation
- And the entire team of King Kamehameha III Elementary School & former Principal Steve Franz!
Project Timeline
|
|
