“O ka Mihi ka La’au Mua, a he Piko Hou”
New Beginnings Start With Forgiveness
Cooke St. at Auahi St., Honolulu, HI
Artists: Prime, Trek6, Mike Bam, Estria
February 2012
This mural is about rebirth, regeneration and new beginnings. New beginnings must first begin with forgiveness. Before forgiveness, we must acknowledge our fears.
The mural brings the old stories back to life by connecting them with today's youth. It is a place for parents to share stories with their families. It has allowed for energy to flow again, despite all the concrete.
Lono, the god of fertility, is surrounded with kamapua'a (pigs), kalo (taro) roots, verdant greenery and an ohia flower to symbolize rebirth. The ohia grows on lava rock, where nothing should grow. Lono has his o'o (staff) he uses to touch the earth, allowing the waters of life to flow, and crops to grow. The food represents prosperity, the kind that existed before money. Hi'iaka's waters surround the eight major Hawaiian islands. Behind Lono is the Taino (native Puerto Rican) symbol for fertility.
A young Kanaloa, the ocean god, is paddling a wa'a (canoe) to the newly born islands.
Pele is based on a photo of Prime's daughter.
Where the lava meets the ocean, new land begins. Pele, goddess of the volcano, greets Kanaloa with a honi, a kanaka maoli greeting of touching noses and souls, and breathing together.
Kane, the god of life, artistic inspiration and spirituality relaxes with his head in the storm clouds. Half po (night) and half day, he is the bringer of the storm rains, from which all crops and life spring forth. As the first god of the Hawaiian Islands, he is wearing the lei palaoa, indicating his position as the head of the family of gods. The palaoa is carved like an open mouth, to represent 'ha' the breath of life.
Behind Kane stands his daughter Poli'ahu, the snow goddess.
In the 'awa bowl can be seen the word 'mihi,' which means forgiveness. Kawa brings people together and brings clarity and healing.
Kane and Poli'ahu are wading in the sacred waters of Waiau, the small lake on Mauna Kea, formed solely of melted snow water. Waiau is considered sacred and a few ali'i would go there to bathe and be purified. The cycle of water is shown as rainwater, stream flow, and evaporation rising up to the clouds. All life is dependent on the cycle of water.
Poli'ahu is wearing a Manuheali'i dress with laua'e leaves. Estria envisioned her as stylish and contemporary. The leaves represent fertility. Her name is two parts: poli, meaning breast/in the arms of, and 'ahu meaning coat/garment. Without the okina, ahu's meaning is temple. Her coat is the cold wind, represented by clouds swirling around her. She can only exist if Kane brings the rain.
Mo‘oinanea, the mo‘o guardian of lake Waiau.
Behind Poli'ahu is Mauna a Wakea with her coat of snow wrapped around its peak. From ocean floor to peak, Mauna a Wakea is the biggest mountain and is a sacred vortex, connecting Earth with the heavens. The development of telescopes on her peaks will block that energy flow. The telescopes must not be allowed there. Above Mauna Akea a portal opens, shining light on the dancing gods.
Ku, the god of war and husbandry, protects love, and provides for the family. These gods have a balance of hard and soft sides. All the Ku energy in the world needs to be counterbalanced by Hina energy, and that would usher in a new era of beauty and love.
Trek added the ancient Taino symbol for leader/be the leader.
Ku and Hina dancing are a perfect yin yang. Hina, the moon goddess, guides the wa'a navigators. She is the epitome of femininity. Ku is also a god of prosperity, here with fish swimming at his feet, and kalo surrounding them.
Mahalo nui loa to Jasper Wong, Pow Wow Hawai'i, Kamehameha Schools, Fletcher Jones Company, MTN Colors, Kamana'o, Jen, Auli'i, and our family and friends for supporting us!
