MANA WAHINE
A collection of 3 murals bordering Church Street and Vineyard Street: Haʻahaʻa by Amanda Joy Bowers; Wailuku i ka malu he kuawa by Bailey Onaga and Courtney Chargin; Mōhala I ka wai ka maka o ka pua by Alex Underwood
Click the GIF to view our 8-minute project film, created by Matt Pierce.
Listen to a TALK STORY with SMALL TOWN * BIG ART partner Sissy Lake-Farm of Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House Museum/ Maui Historical Society, Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata and artist Amanda Joy Bowers about the development of this space HERE.
Scroll down for additional information and details .
Listen to a TALK STORY with SMALL TOWN * BIG ART partner Sissy Lake-Farm of Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House Museum/ Maui Historical Society, Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata and artist Amanda Joy Bowers about the development of this space HERE.
Scroll down for additional information and details .
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Beginning on Monday, June 14, 2021, a hui of four Maui-grown artists: Alexandra Underwood, Amanda Joy Bowers, Bailey Onaga and Courtney Chargin, began painting a collection of three pieces that will serve as the temporary construction wall surrounding the Wailuku municipal parking lot. (Site plan below)
Each artist worked with the ST*BA team from February through June to identify a proverb that connects their composition to Wailuku’s sense of place and to participate in a series of online community consultations that helped to develop their overall designs. (Recordings below) Bowers painted her mural directly on-site along Vineyard Street between June 14 -30 while Underwood, Onaga and Chargin worked on 50 individual wall panels offsite at the Yokouchi Estate’s Imua Discovery Garden, among the grounds where Maui's last ruling chief Kahekili once lived. |
MAHALO to the following individuals for your contribution of time, mana‘o, expertise and kākoʻo to this community collaboration - it takes a village!
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ARTIST STATEMENTS:
Wailuku i ka malu he kuawa (Wailuku in the shelter of the valley)
Artists: Bailey Onaga and Courtney Chargin
Location: Vineyard Street between Market & Church, Wailuku
Artist Statement: This ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, written by Mary Kawena Pukui, serves as inspiration to our homage to Wailuku. As Wailuku based artists, Kumu Pukui’s observation of our town as home really spoke to our hearts. Driving along the humble overpass, the view of the mountains and Wailuku Town’s classic architecture is an immediate comfort. Depicting the urban and natural landscape at night was a deliberate choice to highlight Wailuku as a home base. Lights representing homes and energy radiate through the Nā Wai ʻEhā, encompassing Waikapu, Wailuku, Waiehu, and Waiheʻe. Cool clouds and breezes blanket the valley, protecting and sheltering its people in the sacred night. Clean, linear depictions of the mauna and bridge, glowing through the night, show Wailuku as a living, breathing entity. Iconic imagery such as the bridge and mountains are foundational constants that keep us grounded amidst changing times, reminding us of who we are because of where we came from. Photo of finished piece above by Matt Pierce
Artists: Bailey Onaga and Courtney Chargin
Location: Vineyard Street between Market & Church, Wailuku
Artist Statement: This ʻŌlelo Noʻeau, written by Mary Kawena Pukui, serves as inspiration to our homage to Wailuku. As Wailuku based artists, Kumu Pukui’s observation of our town as home really spoke to our hearts. Driving along the humble overpass, the view of the mountains and Wailuku Town’s classic architecture is an immediate comfort. Depicting the urban and natural landscape at night was a deliberate choice to highlight Wailuku as a home base. Lights representing homes and energy radiate through the Nā Wai ʻEhā, encompassing Waikapu, Wailuku, Waiehu, and Waiheʻe. Cool clouds and breezes blanket the valley, protecting and sheltering its people in the sacred night. Clean, linear depictions of the mauna and bridge, glowing through the night, show Wailuku as a living, breathing entity. Iconic imagery such as the bridge and mountains are foundational constants that keep us grounded amidst changing times, reminding us of who we are because of where we came from. Photo of finished piece above by Matt Pierce
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Bailey Onaga and Courtney Chargin are Maui native artists based in Wailuku, Hawaii at Sabado Studios. Their most recent collaborative work, under the tutelage of local painter Philip Sabado, includes a four-panel watercolor mural, and one large-scale oil painting mural. Featuring the Honouliuli ahupua’a system of O’ahu with native species and Hawaiian mythology, these murals will be installed early Spring in Kaiser Kapolei. Both artists have experience in digital and traditional art practices, and enjoy finding ways to merge both disciplines.
Initial sketch: 
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Haʻahaʻa
Artist: Amanda Joy Bowers
Inspired by ʻōlelo noʻeau: E Noho iho I ke ōpū weuweu, mai ho’oki’eki’e (Remain among the clumps of grasses and do not elevate yourself)
Location: Vineyard St. between Church & Market
Artist Statement: As we travel through this life, it is easy to allow our ego to take over. We become self-absorbed and as a result - disconnected. We elevate ourselves above others, looking down on our past as it becomes more & more distant from us. Eventually, we will feel the void in our soul; for it longs to be grounded. By surrendering to this feeling, we allow our feet to touch the earth once again. It is only here that we can experience true humility (ha’aha’a). It allows us to be modest, but also to acknowledge and be proud of our accomplishments. Through humility, we learn to gain self-assertiveness & self-assurance, not lowliness. As we strengthen relationships and build our communication with others, ho’oponopono naturally flows in. This creates a strong community and a life that is nourishing and grounding to ourselves and others.
In my piece, I included the youthful portrait of Mary Kawena Pukui to represent ha’aha’a. Her life itself was a dedication to the preservation of Hawaiian language and culture. I fell in love with her story and acts of humility. She knew that one day her people would need the resources to help keep themselves grounded. I am grateful for her long life on this earth and I hope that she is proud of this piece. Photo of finished piece above by Matt Pierce
Artist: Amanda Joy Bowers
Inspired by ʻōlelo noʻeau: E Noho iho I ke ōpū weuweu, mai ho’oki’eki’e (Remain among the clumps of grasses and do not elevate yourself)
Location: Vineyard St. between Church & Market
Artist Statement: As we travel through this life, it is easy to allow our ego to take over. We become self-absorbed and as a result - disconnected. We elevate ourselves above others, looking down on our past as it becomes more & more distant from us. Eventually, we will feel the void in our soul; for it longs to be grounded. By surrendering to this feeling, we allow our feet to touch the earth once again. It is only here that we can experience true humility (ha’aha’a). It allows us to be modest, but also to acknowledge and be proud of our accomplishments. Through humility, we learn to gain self-assertiveness & self-assurance, not lowliness. As we strengthen relationships and build our communication with others, ho’oponopono naturally flows in. This creates a strong community and a life that is nourishing and grounding to ourselves and others.
In my piece, I included the youthful portrait of Mary Kawena Pukui to represent ha’aha’a. Her life itself was a dedication to the preservation of Hawaiian language and culture. I fell in love with her story and acts of humility. She knew that one day her people would need the resources to help keep themselves grounded. I am grateful for her long life on this earth and I hope that she is proud of this piece. Photo of finished piece above by Matt Pierce
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Amanda Joy Bowers is a visual artist born and raised in Haiku, Maui. She attended Wake Forest University as a Presidential Scholar for Distinguished Achievement in Art, a University Ambassador for the Arts, and a Richter Scholar for International Independent Studies. While attending Wake Forest University she studied old master painting as a certified Louvre copyist in Paris, France. She then conducted independent research on the art of Balinese woodcarving and Javanese batik textiles in Indonesia. She graduated in 2012 with a major in Studio Art and a double minor in Art History and Entrepreneurship. She now is a freelance fine artist in a variety of mediums, an independent contractor, and the sole owner and designer behind Skelefin Studios, LLC.
Initial sketch: 
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Mōhala I ka wai ka maka o ka pua (Unfolded by the water are the faces of the flowers)
Artist: Alex Underwood
Location: On the corner of Church Street and Vineyard Street in Wailuku
With this piece, I chose to highlight Wailuku’s integral connection to water and the unique flora that results from it. Highlighted are a diverse range of plants found throughout Moko ‘O Wailuku - wauke, loulu, pohinahina, naupaka, ma’o, and the rare hesperomannia. This goes to represent not only the amazing biodiversity found in Wailuku, but also its beautifully diverse community. Woven in between these plants are bright blue kalo, as kalo is so intrinsically connected to water and therefore a huge part of Wailuku’s identity. Wailuku is an extremely resilient and special place - home to such rich history, immense natural beauty, extremely special people, and intense mana'o. As Mary Kawena Pukui said in this Olelo No’eau, “Mōhala I ka wai ka maka o ka pua - flowers thrive where there is water, as thriving people are found where living conditions are good”, which I think is the perfect description of Wailuku. Photo of finished piece above by Matt Pierce
Artist: Alex Underwood
Location: On the corner of Church Street and Vineyard Street in Wailuku
With this piece, I chose to highlight Wailuku’s integral connection to water and the unique flora that results from it. Highlighted are a diverse range of plants found throughout Moko ‘O Wailuku - wauke, loulu, pohinahina, naupaka, ma’o, and the rare hesperomannia. This goes to represent not only the amazing biodiversity found in Wailuku, but also its beautifully diverse community. Woven in between these plants are bright blue kalo, as kalo is so intrinsically connected to water and therefore a huge part of Wailuku’s identity. Wailuku is an extremely resilient and special place - home to such rich history, immense natural beauty, extremely special people, and intense mana'o. As Mary Kawena Pukui said in this Olelo No’eau, “Mōhala I ka wai ka maka o ka pua - flowers thrive where there is water, as thriving people are found where living conditions are good”, which I think is the perfect description of Wailuku. Photo of finished piece above by Matt Pierce
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Alexandra Underwood is an illustrator, designer, and muralist, born and raised in Maui, Hawai’i. She is influenced heavily by the saturation and beauty of the natural world around her. After receiving an amazing arts education from Baldwin High School, she went on to receive her BFA in Illustration with high distinction at California College of the Arts in 2017. After completing an internship at Penguin Random House Publishing in New York, she worked as an in-house graphic artist at PopSockets for two years, creating original illustrations for a wide range of PopSockets products, including several international best-sellers. Her illustrations have been featured in Target, Walmart, and Times Square. In 2020, Alexandra took the plunge into full-time freelance illustration and public art. Even through her professional corporate career, public art remained a constant passion for Alexandra. Since her first mural project at Baldwin High School in 2016, she has collaborated with artists, community members, building owners, and public art curators in Maui, Oahu and California to create colorful murals with powerful concepts.
Initial sketch: 
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COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS:
Sissy Lake-Farm, Cody Pueo Pata and Amanda Joy Bowers
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Dean Wong of IMUA Family Services & Discovery Garden
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Robert "Moki" Hino of Good Shepherd
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Artist Phil Sabado Talk Story
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Hawaii Land Trust's Scott Fisher, PhD
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Maui Nui Botanical Gardens' Tamara Sherrill and Robert Hobdy
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‘Ōlelo No‘eau meeting with Sissy Lake-Farm
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ST*BA Mana wahine intro meeting with Erin Wade, County of Maui
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Maui place names
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PROJECT TRACKING:
- 6/19/23: Wailuku i ka malu he kuawa (Wailuku in the shelter of the valley) by Artists Bailey Onaga and Courtney Chargin is partially installed on Church Street in Wailuku; the panels that were previously installed at 33 Market Street are moved to the Hālau of ʻŌiwi Art build site
- 1/11/23: New Mural Unveiling + Six Animated Kūpuna Stories + More! (eNews)
- 12/10/22: Join Us! Two Public Unveilings Coming in December (eNews)
- 8/5/22: Second mural in ‘Mana Wahine’ collection to be unveiled in Wailuku (The Maui News)
- 8/3/22: Mana Wahine mural unveiling, Aug. 11 (Maui Now)
- 8/2/22: Press release distributed re blessing and unveiling of Bailey & Courtney's Wailuku i ka malu he kuawa (Wailuku in the shelter of the valley), scheduled for Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 4:30 PM
- 2/4/22: Talk Story with SMALL TOWN * BIG ART partner Sissy Lake-Farm of Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House Museum/ Maui Historical Society, Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata and artist Amanda Joy Bowers about the ways that the work of Mary Kawena Pukui is influencing the revitalization of Wailuku (Vimeo + Podbean)
- 7/14/21: Distribute project film and announce next project (view here)
- 6/30/21: Project pau, collect artwork titles + artist statements for web and site signage
- 6/29/21: Blessing of 3rd piece at Wailuku Municipal Parking Lot
- 6/25/21: Unveiling of 2 pieces painted offsite at Imua Discovery Garden (announcement)
- 6/14/21: Scheduled 1st day of painting, photo, video, community engagement
- 6/11/21: ST*BA deadline to approve designs
- 6/1-10/21: Community consultations (Maui Nui Botanical Gardens Executive Director Tamara Sherrill and Board Member Robert Hobdy; Hawaiʻi Land Trust Chief Conservation Officer Scott Fisher, Ph.D.; Father Robert "Moki" Hino, Good Shepherd Episcopal Church; Artist Phil Sabado; Imua Discovery Garden's Dean Wong)
- 5/27/21: Team meeting
- 5/26/21: Public survey posted re the 3 selected proverbs, community member suggestions and artwork feedback (and sent via eNewsletter on 5/28/21)
- 5/25/21: ‘Ōlelo No‘eau meeting with Sissy Lake-Farm, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House Museum/ Maui Historical Society + ST*BA re proverbs, ho'omanawanui, grace
- 5/24/21: Public announcement of artist hui (HERE)
- 5/20/21: Introductory meeting with County of Maui + ST*BA re basic logistics and sense of place (Excerpts HERE)
- 4/20/21: Contracts complete, ST*BA meetings re next steps
- 3/16/21: ST*BA extends artist invitations to come together as a hui for mana wahine collab
- 2/10/21: Community panels pau, ST*BA team meetings continue
PROJECT NEWS:
- Talk Story with Sissy Lake-Farm, Kumu Hula Cody Pueo Pata and artist Amanda Joy Bowers (Vimeo + Podbean)
- Mana Wahine Documentary + Up Next (eNewsletter)
- The Public Art Podcast | Episode #1: Amanda Joy Bowers
- Wish Granted: Nine-Year-Old Battling Kidney Disease Leaves Mark on Maui (Maui Now)
- SMALL TOWN * BIG ART To Unveil Two 100-Foot Murals, June 25 (Maui Now)
- Press Release: SMALL TOWN * BIG ART Unveiling with Imua Discovery Garden and Maui OnStage
- Wahine energy in Wailuku: Maui murals draw from community input (Maui News)
- ST*BA Collaborates with Maui-Grown Artists for Next Public Art Project in Wailuku (MauiNow)
- Press Release: SMALL TOWN * BIG ART Welcomes Mana Wahine