Pillar Murals at Kailua High School

This is a series of seven murals painted on the pillars of the front office of Kailua High School. The purpose of these murals are to welcome students, staff, and visitors to Kailua High School. Each mural tells a different moʻolelo (story) from Waimānalo, Kailua, and Kāneʻohe. My hope is that students from Waimānalo, Kailua, and Kāneʻohe will feel at home with the moʻolelo of where they are from and those who are not from these areas can learn more about the ʻāina that they are on.

ʻIhiʻihilauākea

ʻIhiʻihilauākea is a native endangered fern that grows in or near water. On Oʻahu this fern can be found at ʻIhiʻihilauākea crater which is near Hanauma. ʻIhiʻihilauākea is also the name of a beautiful chiefess that lived in Waimānalo.

Pāhonu

Pāhonu is an enclosure built many years ago in Waimānalo to maintain green sea turtles until they were ready to be eaten. The Aliʻi, or chiefs, of Waimānalo had commissioned this pā to be built to capture and raise turtles for their consumption. Turtles are revered in Hawaiʻi and were reserved for the Aliʻi.

Nā Kuahiwi o Waimānalo & Kailua

Nā Kuahiwi o Waimānalo & Kailua honors the mountains that stand within the ahupuaʻa of Waimānalo and Kailua. Puʻu Lanipō marks the end of the Waimānalo. Puʻu Lanipō is connected to Ahiki, Pakuʻi and Olomana through Aniani Nui. Ahiki is named after the konohiki of Waimānalo and Kailua during the time of Olopana. He was known for his generosity and kindness towards his people. Pakuʻi, the center peak, is named after the kahu lokoiʻa (fishpond caretaker) who was appointed by Ahiki. Olomana is the name of a renowned warrior who was well known for his great strength and enormous height.

Nūpepa Aloha ʻĀina

Nūpepa Aloha ʻĀina tells the story of community efforts in restoring heiau and sacred sites in Kailua and Waimānalo through old newspaper articles.

Hauwahine & Kahalakea

Hauwahine and Kahalakea are the kiaʻi (guardians) of Kailua. At Kawainui fishpond, known today as Kawainui marsh, large pōhaku (rocks) can be found that are in the shape of these moʻo akua (reptilian deities). In this artwork these moʻo are shown with their kinolau (forms) being Hau and Hala.

Mālama o ʻike i ke kaula ʻili hau o Kailua (ʻŌN #2118).

Mālama o ʻike i ke kaula ʻili hau o Kailua is a ʻōlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverb) meaning take care lest you feel the hau bark rope of Kailua. This is often used as a warning to be pono (right/good) or else you will face repercussions. The ʻōlelo noʻeau references the strength of the hau in Kailua.

Mokapu - Moku Kapu

This mural honors Mokapu which is also known as Moku Kapu because it was an area that was kapu during times of war. This area was a meeting place for aliʻi where they would discuss war strategies and no war was to occur there. Kōnane is illustrated to represent war strategies and plans that were made at Mokapu.

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