Wahi Pana: Storied Places is a temporary public art project of the City and County of Honolulu Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) and is a winner of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge grant.
Beginning February 2025, the project will feature art installations across the island of O‘ahu that connect each site with their indigenous, Native Hawaiian mo‘olelo (stories).
Wahi Pana engages and educates Hawai‘i's residents and visitors through art that explores the layered and profound mo‘olelo (stories) of our ‘āina (land).
By presenting these cultural narratives, we aim to inspire respect and appreciation for our island's rich heritage, prompt meaningful conversations, and strengthen connections within our community. Through the creative expressions from talented local artists, Wahi Pana seeks to deepen the understanding and appreciation of our history and culture, fostering a shared sense of place among all who experience these powerful stories.
📖 Bringing Poetry to Place: Brandy Nālani McDougall’s Lē‘ahi 🌺
Mahalo to all who joined us for the latest Wahi Pana activation in collaboration with #HawaiiTriennial2025 (#HT25), featuring the poetry of Brandy Nālani McDougall, Hawai‘i’s Poet Laureate.
Her piece, Lē‘ahi, challenges us to consider how perceptions of this iconic landscape have evolved—through the eyes of Kānaka ‘Ōiwi, Western explorers, the U.S. military, and tourism. A section of her larger work, Aloha Ka‘apuni, this poetry reminds us that aloha ‘āina is not static; it moves, shifts, and endures.
Mahalo to Brandy for sharing her mo‘olelo through this profound work, and to everyone who gathered to witness the power of Native Hawaiian poetry in public spaces.
🎥 Swipe to watch the event recap!
🎶 Music: Kaimana Hila written by Charles E. King (1916). Performed by Fran Guidry and Ledward Ka‘apana.
📷 Photos: @mikeitophoto
📲 Read more on #BloombergConnects
📷 Tag us in your photos and share your reflections!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
🙏 A Legacy Honored: Na Lehua Helele‘i 🌺
This past week, in collaboration with #HawaiiTriennial2025 (#HT25), we gathered at Fort DeRussy Park to honor the late Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen and the restoration of his iconic ki‘i installation, Nā Lehua Helele‘i.
Originally installed 25 years ago, these five towering images of Kū stand as a memorial to fallen Kanaka Maoli warriors—but also as a statement of presence, resilience, and strength. Through the support of the Royal Order of Kamehameha and Wahi Pana, this powerful work has been restored, ensuring Rocky’s legacy endures.
Mahalo to everyone who joined us, including Mayor Rick Blangiardi and Rocky’s daughter, Natalie Jensen, who shared heartfelt reflections on his contributions to Hawaiian art and culture.
🎥 Swipe to watch the event recap!
🎶 Music: Kaulana Nā Pua written by Eleanor Kekoaohiwaikalani Wright Prendergast (1893). Performed by George Kahumoku Jr.
📷 Photos: @mikeitophoto
📲 Learn more on #BloombergConnects
📷 Did you attend? Share your photos with us!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
🌊 Mahalo for joining us at the first Wahi Pana activation! 🎨✨
Last week, in collaboration with #HawaiiTriennial2025 (#HT25), Wahi Pana unveiled Carl F.K. Pao’s stunning tile mural, Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe (The Law of the Splintered Paddle), and Imaikalani Kalahele’s powerful poetry installation at Fort Street Mall.
Carl’s mural transforms ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i into a visual language, reminding us of our kuleana to care for one another, just as Kamehameha I declared in 1797. Imaikalani’s poetry, displayed on banners throughout Fort Street, speaks to the layers of history and resilience woven into this space.
Mahalo to all who came out to celebrate this milestone in Wahi Pana: Storied Places! If you missed it, be sure to stop by Fort Street Mall to experience these works firsthand.
🎥 Swipe to watch the event recap!
🎶 Music: Nā Ali‘i written by Samuel Kuahiwi (1928). Performed by Mano.
📷 Photos: @mikeitophoto
📲 Explore more on #BloombergConnects
📷 Tag us in your photos!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
📖 Wahi Pana Activation: Brandy Nālani McDougall’s Lē‘ahi – Friday, Feb 21 📖
Join us Friday, February 21 at 9:30 AM at Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park for the next Wahi Pana x #HawaiiTriennial2025 (#HT25) activation, featuring the poetic work of Brandy Nālani McDougall, Hawai‘i’s Poet Laureate.
Her piece, Lē‘ahi, is a powerful exploration of how perceptions of this storied place have evolved—from its significance to Kānaka ‘Ōiwi to the shifts brought by Western explorers, the U.S. military, and tourism. Part of her larger work, Aloha Ka‘apuni, this poetry reminds us that aloha ‘āina circulates, adapts, and continues to shape our connection to land.
Come experience this thought-provoking installation and hear from the artist as we continue our journey through Wahi Pana: Storied Places.
📍 Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park (Fort Ruger/Triangle Park)
📅 Friday, Feb 21
⏰ 9:30 AM
Help us share this moment—spread the word and engage with Wahi Pana on social media!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
✨ Honoring Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen at Fort DeRussy – Thursday, Feb 20 ✨
Join us as we activate Nā Lehua Helele‘i, the iconic ki‘i sculptures by the late Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen, in a special event at Fort DeRussy Park on Thursday, February 20 at 11 AM.
Originally installed 25 years ago and recently restored through Wahi Pana and #HawaiiTriennial2025 (#HT25), these towering figures represent the benevolent aspects of Kū—steadfastness, forgiveness, and generosity—serving as a powerful memorial to Kanaka Maoli warriors and a testament to Rocky’s lifelong dedication to Native Hawaiian art and culture.
This activation will include reflections from Jensen’s family and the Royal Order of Kamehameha, whose volunteer efforts helped bring this restoration to life. Join us as we honor an artist, a visionary, and a protector of Hawaiian traditions.
📍 Fort DeRussy Park (fronting the Hawai‘i Army Museum)
📅 Thursday, Feb 20
⏰ 11:00 AM
Let’s come together to celebrate his legacy and the enduring presence of our people, both within and upon the land. Help us spread the word!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
📢 First Wahi Pana Site Activation: Carl F.K. Pao & Imaikalani Kalahele at Fort Street Mall! 🎨📝
Join us Wednesday, February 19 at 11 AM for the first site activation of Wahi Pana: Storied Places in collaboration with #HawaiiTriennial2025 (#HT25)! We are proud to unveil two incredible installations at Fort Street Mall, celebrating the voices and artistry of Carl F.K. Pao and Imaikalani Kalahele.
🌊 Carl Pao’s tile mural, Ke Kānāwai Māmalahoe (The Law of the Splintered Paddle), transforms ‘Ōlelo Hawai‘i into a visual language, sharing a powerful mo‘olelo of justice, protection, and kuleana. Rooted in the law established by King Kamehameha I in 1797, this mural invites us to reflect on our shared responsibility to land and community.
📝 Imaikalani Kalahele’s poetry will also be celebrated with six featured poems displayed on banners throughout Fort Street Mall. A Kanaka Maoli poet, artist, and musician, Kalahele’s work speaks to the deep ties between place, history, and identity—especially meaningful here, where he grew up in the 1950s.
Come celebrate this momentous occasion with us, hear from the artist, and experience the first of three site activations in Phase I of Wahi Pana.
📍 Fort Street Mall (at Pauahi Street)
📅 Wednesday, Feb 19
⏰ 11:00 AM
Spread the word and be part of our huaka‘i!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
🌟 Wahi Pana Phase 1 Activations Are Here! 🌟
Join us as we bring mo‘olelo to life through art across O‘ahu! In collaboration with #HawaiiTriennial2025 (#HT25), our first phase of art activations kicks off this February!
Upcoming Events:
Curator Panel Discussion: Wahi Pana x HT25
📍 Capitol Modern | ⏰ 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Art Activation: Carl F.K. Pao & Imaikalani Kalahele
📍 Fort Street at Pauahi | ⏰ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Art Activation: Rocky Ka‘iouliokahihikolo‘Ehu Jensen
📍 Fort DeRussy | ⏰ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM (NEW TIME)
Art Activation: Brandy Nālani McDougall
📍 Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park | ⏰ 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Come witness the transformation of our beloved wahi pana through the hands of Hawai‘i’s artists and storytellers. Mark your calendars and be part of the story!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
🚌 Wahi Pana Takes to the Streets! ✨
We are thrilled to announce the official launch of Wahi Pana’s first public art installation: a stunning graphic bus wrap designed by Native Hawaiian artist Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum! Titled “Ka Pā‘ū Ehuehu o Hi‘iaka” (The Animated Skirt of Hi‘iaka), this moving artwork brings Hi‘iaka’s legendary journey to life, weaving poetic pathways across O‘ahu just as TheBus connects our communities.
On Monday, February 10, we celebrated this milestone at Honolulu Hale, joined by Mayor Rick Blangiardi, MOCA Director Ka‘ili Trask-O’Connell, DTS Deputy Director Jon Nouchi, and artist collaborator Ka‘imina‘auao Kahikina. Mahalo to everyone who came out to support this initiative! 🙌🏽
📽️ Watch a special behind-the-scenes video where Cory shares the inspiration and process behind the design.
🚏 This is just the beginning—three more Phase I activations are coming up next week! Keep following for updates as we continue to uplift the storied places of O‘ahu through art.
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces
We’ve officially launched the Wahi Pana: Storied Places public art initiative with a press conference that brought together visionaries, leaders, and artists dedicated to celebrating and preserving Hawai‘i’s rich cultural heritage.
🎤 Hear from:
~️ Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi on the city’s commitment to art and community.
~ Stephanie Dockery from Bloomberg Philanthropies, a proud supporter of this project.
~ MOCA Director Ka‘ili Trask O‘Connell, sharing the vision behind Wahi Pana.
~ Artist Cory Taum on the power of storytelling through public art.
Together, we’re weaving stories of our past into the fabric of our future. Mahalo to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone. Follow us for more updates as the project unfolds!
#WahiPana #StoriedPlaces #PublicArt #PublicArtChallenge #HawaiianCulture #CommunityArt #VisitOahu
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