A new mural was recently unveiled in Lāhainā dedicated to the memories and mo‘olelo of Mr. Tom Fujita, Lahainaluna H.S. Class of 1962, which center around a deep bond with the ocean—a source of life, connection, and sustenance. The mural is located at Kaiser Permanente's temporary Lahaina Clinic, which is currently a pop-up portable unit located at 2301 Kaanapali Parkway.

A product of Hui Mo‘olelo: Lāhainā, a program of Maui Public Art Corps, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society, the County of Maui and Lāhainā Restoration Foundation that cultivates stories celebrating Lāhainā history, culture and sense of place, the mural was painted by artist Jana Ireijo.

Selected by a community panel in this summer, Jana's proposal was actively revised through community consultations and hands-on activities with the storytellers, Kaiser patients and staff, and participants of a free painting workshop that explored an audio recorded conversation amongst Mr. Fujita and his friend Dean Tokishi through the storytelling program.

An avid fisherman and diver, Mr. Fujita's mo‘olelo centered around the ocean. At the November 25 blessing and public unveiling event, he shared, "I am honored that you have selected my story to create something this beautiful. Thank you, Jana, for painting this. And thank you Maui Public Art Corps and everyone involved in the Hui Mo‘olelo and Kaiser clinic for allowing this mural to be built here. Dean Tokishi, thank you for encouraging me to have the interview with you. I was super nervous like I am now." He continued, "Dean invited me and I was able to tell my story of my younger days living in Lahaina. I love the ocean. I love fishing. In fact just this Friday we were out there fishing for nabeta. And I caught a tako almost as big as that!  (motioning to the mural). Growing up in Lahaina in the 50s, the ocean was our playground. This mural really represents a part of my childhood days  living in Lahaina. And it really brought back some memories. To receive this mural, the school of kampachi and the numerous sharks I would see diving, catching akule at night and also seeing a lot of whales out there when we're fishing, and of course the rarest sighting was the whale shark we saw - I thank you for this."

Through a fundamental component of the Hui Mo‘olelo program, the public artwork has been rooted in two passages from Mary Kawena Pukui’s ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: Hawaiian Proverbs and Poetical Sayings, collaboratively selected by the artist and by Kumu Sissy Lake-Farm: He luelue ka ‘upena e ku‘u ai (The fine-meshed net is the one to let down into the sea); and E lei no au I ko aloha (I will wear your love as a wreath/ I will cherish your love as a beautiful adornment).

"This mural is inspired by the stories and memories of Mr. Tom Fujita, shared in conversation with Dean Tokishi, evoking scenes of childhood fishing trips with his father and family gatherings on Lahaina’s shores," shares the artist, "It weaves together marine species and symbols, each chosen from Maui Public Art Corps community meetings, and through consultation with cultural advisors and area marine biologists. They embody themes of healing, resilience, and conservation. A lei represents the temporary Kaiser Clinic as a place where healing extends beyond physical care, embracing memory, cultural bonds, and of emotional and communal restoration."

The unveiling ceremony included pule by Uncle Bill Garcia of Hālau Nā Hanona Kūlike O Piʻilani, remarks from Sissy Lake-Farm of Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Lauaʻe and Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society, responses from the storytellers and partners, and an opportunity to hear more about the creative process behind the mural. It will be on view for for 3-5 years while the Clinic's permanent site is being developed.

“This mural reflects Lāhainā stories and voices of those who have endured and come together to heal. We are proud to provide a space for this meaningful artwork and grateful to the community for making it a symbol of hope and unity,” said Dr. Kimmie Ouchi, Chief and Medical Director, Kaiser Permanente Lāhainā Clinic.

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