The Maui News A new mural that reflects the artistic interpretation of a recorded talk-story session between Kekoa Enomoto of ‘Ahahui Ka‘ahumanu and Queen Ka‘ahumanu Center’s General Manager Kauwela Bisquera was blessed and displayed Tuesday at the former Sears location at the mall in Kahului.
Painted by Fathima Mohiuddin, the mural is a project of the nonprofit Maui Public Art Corps.
“Maui’s tradition for generations, Queen Ka’ahumanu Center’s collaboration with Maui Art Corps culminates the Center’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2022,” Bisquera said in a news release Wednesday. “We are thrilled to pay homage to our Center’s namesake through public art and further a community mo’olelo informed process rooted in place.”
“Warrior women” was the theme Mohiuddin started with, having listened to the conversation between Enomoto and Bisquera.
“There was a warm softness in their voices accompanied by a striking sense of sturdiness,” Mohiuddin said. “Nohe (U’u-Hodgins) spoke of women as carriers of the emotional work of society when we chatted about her upbringing in Kahului, her children and her recent venture into politics.”
Over a six-week design period and consultations, Mohiuddin heard stories of “journey, of nurturing, of fortitude, of community” as well as “of people coming together to celebrate history, heritage and cultures that came from abroad.”
The artist was inspired by the speakers’ dialogue that included a deep love for their home in Hawaii, a love for aloha and kindness, as well as giving and sharing.
