Ka Pae ʻĀina O Hawaiʻi Nei

The “Ka Pae ʻĀina O Hawaiʻi Nei” Hawaiian Archipelago Mosaic Program blends Hawaiian culture, education and art. The vision for this community art project is to educate workshop participants, community members and visitors about the uniqueness and significance of the entire Hawaiian Archipelago that includes Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.

The mural depicts the topography of the entire Hawaiian Archipelago, helping us tell the geographic and cultural story of these islands and atolls, how the High Hawaiian Islands fit within this long history, and how these protected lands and waters serve as a refuge for a wide variety of native Hawaiian wildlife species.

The finished mural has now been installed on the retaining wall that begins outside the Visitor Center at Kīlauea Point NWR.

The place-based inspired mural was developed through a series of community workshops, in which volunteers helped to create the 80-foot-long by 4-foot-high mosaic mural. The workshops were led by Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua of Hālau Palaihiwa O Kaʻipuwai and artist Kathleen Ho. Kumu Kehau brought her wealth of skills, passion, and commitment to sharing ancestral wisdom and perpetuating the traditions of her culture. Kathleen has done other community cultural-inspired mosaics throughout Kauaʻi. Through this process, she share the inspiration and intention of this large-scale project and facilitated the hands-on process of mosaic making. Hundreds of volunteers provided their contribution of time, energy and generosity towards the completion of this masterpiece.

Partners include:
Artist Kathleen Ho
Carol Yotsuda of the Garden Island Arts Council
Kumu Hula Kehaulani Kekua of Hālau Palaihiwa O Kaʻipuwai
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges

Stay tuned for more updates, resource materials and mahalos.