Artist: Kealakukui of 808 Urban
The Hōkūle‘a Mālama Hōnua ground mural is a work of art inspired by a collection of mo‘olelo from Hōkūle‘a crew members and the Mālama Honua worldwide journey.
A collaboration between the Polynesian Voyaging Society and 808 Urban, this piece is a reflection of the ‘ōlelo no‘eau (Hawaiian proverb), “He wa‘a he moku, he moku he wa‘a,” which means, “A canoe is an island; an island is a canoe.” This proverb highlights the importance of working together in the wa‘a (canoe) for a successful voyage and how that same principle applies to the way we live here in the Islands. The message further points out the importance of collectively caring for the Earth and the ocean, and how each person plays a vital role in this endeavor.
Starting with the deep ocean, the artists painted a variety of sea creatures, including honu (turtles), manō (sharks), and koholā (whales) gathering in their aquatic home. The scene beautifully transitions from the ocean to the land and the vivid sky filled with soaring ‘iwa (frigate birds). At the base of the majestic sails of the Hōkūle‘a is the island, represented as the wa‘a, with silhouettes of canoe plants that early voyagers brought with them across the vast ocean.
Members of the Polynesian Voyaging Society and the community further contributed to the mural by dipping their hands in paint and adding their handprints to the overall design.