{"id":238893,"date":"2026-08-11T13:18:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-11T23:18:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=238893"},"modified":"2026-08-11T13:18:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T23:18:44","slug":"uh-manoa-and-elementary-mural","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/08\/11\/uh-manoa-and-elementary-mural\/","title":{"rendered":"UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa helps Enchanted Lake students turn Kailua stories into art"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Enchanted
The mural includes native plants like the palapalai fern, and native fish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at M\u0101noa faculty and staff worked with students at Enchanted Lake Elementary School to turn a blank wall into a colorful mural that celebrates the natural beauty, history and sense of place of Kailua.<\/p>\n

The project was a collaboration among UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa College of Education\u2019s<\/a> Ulu Aʻe<\/span> Transitions<\/a> team members: Sheanae Tam and Niki Fisiiahi-Thomayer, students participating in the elementary school\u2019s 2026 Summer Enrichment Program, and Beau Uehara from ALU LIKE<\/p>\n

“This was such an awesome experience,” said Enchanted Lake Elementary Principal Noel Richardson. “For a while, it appeared that we would not be able to get the mural started, but the right people have a way of making things happen. We shifted the plan over to our summer enrichment program and it all came together! I truly appreciate the support provided to see this through.”<\/p>\n

‘What do you envision?’<\/h2>\n

The process began with a classroom visit to incoming fifth- and sixth-grade students. Through icebreakers, a guided meditation and moʻ\u014dlelo<\/span> (stories) of Kailua, students reflected on the places and elements that make their community special. They were then asked to sketch their ideas in response to the question: “When you think of Kailua or Enchanted Lake Elementary, what do you envision?”<\/p>\n

\"Children
Summer Enrichment students take lead in painting the first layer of the mural<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Students\u2019 drawings featured rainbows, native plants, birds, beaches and ocean life. Using these ideas as inspiration, Tam, the lead artist, created a mural design rooted in the natural and cultural features of Kailua.<\/p>\n

Over several weeks, students in grades one through six painted the mural in small groups, ensuring every child had the opportunity to contribute.<\/p>\n

During h\u014dʻike<\/span>, or celebration of the completed artwork, students shared that participating in the project made them feel proud, happy and connected to their school community.<\/p>\n

\"elementary
Ulu Aʻe<\/span> Transitions Educator\/Artist Sheanae Tam leads a pilina building circle activity with Enchanted Lake Elementary Summer Enrichment students<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa Ulu Aʻe<\/span> Transitions team and school opened the final day with a pilina circle, creating a space for connection and reflection before the h\u014dʻike<\/span> celebration.<\/p>\n

While completed over a short summer session, the mural leaves a lasting impact—reflecting the creativity of Enchanted Lake students and their deep connection to the place they call home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This summer, Â鶹´«Ã½<\/abbr>M\u0101noa faculty and staff helped elementary students bring Kailua\u2019s story to life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":238900,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[105,95,1465,1314,73,9],"class_list":["post-238893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-art","tag-college-of-education","tag-manoa-native-hawaiian-place-of-learning","tag-manoa-sustainability","tag-sustainability","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t