In Hawaiian culture, mo‘olelo are more than stories told for entertainment. They are vessels of knowledge, carrying lessons about values, traditions, and ways of living. Mo‘olelo are woven into the cultural fabric of the islands and passed down from generation to generation. Rooted in this tradition of intergenerational sharing, Hui Mo‘olelo plays a vital role in preserving and uplifting these narratives. By gathering mo‘olelo from kūpuna (elders) and translating their wisdom into public art, the organization not only beautifies community spaces but also infuses them with cultural knowledge, memory, and meaning.

Created in partnership with the County of Maui and Maui Public Art Corps, Hui Mo‘olelo is a community-driven storytelling initiative dedicated to gathering, preserving, and elevating the voices and lived experiences of Maui’s people. For Kelly White, Chair and Founder of Maui Public Art Corps, storytelling was a deliberate choice because of its profound and lasting impact. “We focus on authentic, intergenerational moments of connection,” she explains. “Through these shared stories, we create meaningful opportunities for community members and visitors to connect to a sense of place.”

The annual program begins with a series of free training workshops designed to help cohort members understand the deeper purpose of storytelling, the value of seeking knowledge, and the skills required to be an effective interviewer. Participants learn techniques such as embracing silence, asking thoughtful follow-up questions, and drawing out meaningful details about a place and its history. From there, participants are paired with intergenerational partners to gather and record their stories. These interviews then serve as inspiration for artists, who are invited to submit proposals to transform the audio recordings into public art projects. Final selections are made by a community panel, ensuring the work reflects collective input and shared values.

White emphasizes that “public art,” as they define it, extends far beyond art simply placed in public spaces. “Art in public spaces is generally created by a single artist who wants to relay something that they personally experienced, through a mural or sculpture,” she explains. “For us, public art must be a communal experience marked by a dialogue with the community. [For artists], there is more accountability [because] they are now accountable not just to the place, but to the storytellers. They have to listen deeply to the source material and then work to make it relatable to a larger community.” For White, the true measure of public art is whether those who encounter it feel a sense of ownership and shared creation.

In moments of profound change or loss, storytelling can become a powerful way for communities to reflect, heal, and reclaim their shared history.

In the aftermath of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires, numerous organizations and individuals turned to Hui Mo‘olelo to help form storytelling cohorts in Lahaina to process and share their experiences. In response, Hui Mo‘olelo: Lahaina was formed as a collaborative initiative led by Maui Public Art Corps in partnership with Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House/Maui Historical Society, the County of Maui, and the Lahaina Restoration Foundation.

White emphasizes the importance of gathering these stories firsthand. “I think throughout COVID, and following the wildfires, there were so many other outlets telling the story of Maui,” she says. “This was a way for our community to reclaim the pieces of their history, their value systems, and their memories that they feel are most important. It’s really about reclaiming the narrative of these special places of Maui.”

The first Lahaina cohort launched in 2024, uplifting powerful intergenerational stories. Among them was Timothy Medeiros, Sr., interviewed by his grandson, Teva Medeiros. Medeiros’s story was included in the short film Ola Nā Iwi: The Bones Live, which brings to life stories of daily life in Lahaina — stories of places, people, and the rhythm of life in the town. Another voice is that of Reverend Gensho Hara, minister of Lahaina Jodo Mission, which was lost in the wildfire, interviewed by his daughter, Yayoi.

White explains that these Lahaina cohorts also incorporated specialized Wellness with Aloha training. This trauma-informed approach was offered to help safeguard participants throughout the storytelling process. While carrying stories forward is deeply meaningful, she notes, receiving and retelling the painful or traumatic experiences requires care and intentional processing.

From the Lahaina cohorts, multiple pieces of art were created, including short films, murals, utility box art, and a film festival. Christine Wine was an artist who brought participants to life through her watercolor portraits. Born and raised in Waiehu, Maui, Wine was drawn to the project because of her love for what Hui Mo‘olelo was doing. “It’s so important to preserve and highlight kūpuna stories,” she shares, noting that she wanted to create realistic portraits to honor the participants.

Her process began by gathering photo references and taking elements from different videos and photos, piecing them together until she envisioned a complete picture. And, while she did not get to meet the participants, she did listen to their stories while painting and looking through the reference images. She notes that there were challenges along the way. “I know people can be sensitive about how they are perceived by others — whether it is listening to your own voice in a recording or seeing a photo or portrait you feel is unflattering,” she says. “I had to remember that even though your art will never be perfect, others may see it in a different light, and you can still get the message across.”

Wine created a series of watercolor portraits honoring Lahaina kūpuna (elders), which were exhibited at the Lahaina Cannery, a long-time community gathering place and hub for connection and recovery following the wildfires. Through the exhibit, the space was transformed into a powerful storytelling environment. The portraits stood alongside excerpts from each kūpuna’s interview, allowing visitors to engage with their stories visually and emotionally. Guests could also scan QR codes to access the audio recordings, creating an immersive experience as the kūpuna's voices resonated throughout the room.

White shares that the installation will travel to Lahainaluna High School in spring 2026, the oldest high school west of the Mississippi River and Hawai‘i’s only public boarding school. There, students and teachers will have the opportunity to experience the exhibit firsthand, seeing how personal narratives have been thoughtfully interpreted and transformed into public art.

Looking ahead, White envisions the installation evolving into a traveling exhibit, expanding its reach and carrying these stories to new audiences and communities. In doing so, the project not only preserves Lahaina’s history but also affirms that its voices, memories, and mo‘olelo will continue to live on.

Hui Mo‘olelo: mauipublicart.org/hui-moolelo

Ola Nā Iwi film: vimeo.com/1062059268

Watercolor portraits: drive.google.com/file/d/14ejgMhzGIrUT6QMppsm6AWkrH75sS3_J/view