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.
Wahi Pana: Storied Places, a fundraiser by the Mayorʻs Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA).
In support of Kona Low relief efforts across Oʻahu, the Wahi Pana Project is releasing a limited-edition T-shirt series featuring all Phase 3 sites. Communities across Oʻahu have been deeply impacted— homes damaged, landscapes altered, and families are navigating a long road ahead. These stories and artworks connect each place to collective action, honoring the significance of Wahi Pana while supporting communities as they recover and rebuild.
*All proceeds from this fundraiser will support the work of Lāhui Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting our communities through cultural preservation, ʻāina stewardship, and direct support to families in need. Mahalo to our fiscal sponsor, Bishop Museum.
PRE-ORDERS OPEN NOW through May 20
Shirts will be available approximately 3 weeks after purchase. Pick-up details to be announced soon.
$40 each Sizes S–XXL
🔺Laniwahine — Artwork by Amber Khan & Jordan Souza
Moʻolelo by Paige Okamura
Haleʻiwa Beach Park
🔺Nā ʻIli o Kahe — Artwork by Meleanna Aluli Meyer & Solomon Enos
Moʻolelo by Ulukoa Duhaylonsod
Kahe Point
🔺I Ka Uhiwai o Ke Koʻolau — Artwork by Kaili Chun
Moʻolelo by Kaiminaʻauao Kahikina
Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden, Koʻolaupoko
Purchase, wear, and stand in support.
. @moca.oahu
Storied Places remember.
Across Oʻahu, unveiled stories live within the land, the wind, the ocean, and within us. Wahi Pana brings these moʻolelo forward through public art shaped by community and grounded in place.
Look closer. There’s more beneath the surface.
Oʻahu is speaking. Come answer the call.
@colour.amber @jordansouza808 @solomonenos @meleannaameyer @kamehana_o_kala @ua_lala @koloikeao @mahucha_art @olapakauwila.wilz @kailichunstudio @babysurf2 @kekahiwahi @carlfkpao
@bloombergdotorg @puuhonuasociety @oahuvb @bishopmuseum @hnl.dts @honolulu_parks @honolulu_gov @mayorrickhnl
In light of the recent storm and its impacts on the North Shore community, the Wahi Pana event at Haleʻiwa Beach Park on April 4th is postponed to allow time for recovery and healing following the devastating losses experienced. The event will be rescheduled for a later date this summer, and updated details will be shared once confirmed.
The Wahi Pana team deeply appreciates your understanding and continued support, and encourages those who are able to contribute to ongoing recovery efforts in the community. Please follow the One Oʻahu @oneoahu and Lāhui Foundation @lahuifoundation for updates, resources, and ways to support those affected.
Stay tuned for more from Wahi Pana Project!
Introducing the Wahi Pana Handi-Van—now in service!
Ka Pā‘ū Ehuehu o Hi‘iaka (The Animated Skirt of Hi‘iaka) by Cory Kamehanaokalā Taum
A companion to the popular Wahi Pana Bus, we are happy to announce the next iteration of the Wahi Pana Handi-Van, a public transit service for persons with disabilities who are unable to use the City’s bus service.
The vehicle features a graphic vinyl wrap by Taum, referencing the moʻolelo of Hiʻiaka as she traverses the islands, with flowing pa‘u patterns representing her journey through O‘ahu and mirroring TheBus + Handi-Van circuits. Hi‘iaka chants the many kau (poetic and sacred chants) honoring the persons and landscapes she encounters, teaching us how to respectfully engage with our surroundings and one another.
TheHandi-Van provides paratransit service, a curb-to-curb, shared-ride transportation option for qualified riders on the island of Oʻahu who are unable to use the City’s bus service, TheBus. TheHandi-Van service operates during the same days and hours as TheBus and is available in areas located within three-fourths (3/4) of a mile of TheBus routes.
Mahalo to all our partners, artists, storytellers, bus drivers, and contractors who made this project possible.
@bloombergdotorg @kamehana_o_kala @hnl_moca @mayorrickhnl @hnl.dts @ots_thebus_hv @puuhonuasociety @aupunispace @oahuvb @mahucha_art @olapakauwila.wilz #StudioOntheRock
Mahalo to all who joined us to celebrate Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi and welcome the Wahi Pana Handi-Van into service!
It was an incredible day of student performances featuring oli, mele, hula, and haʻiʻōlelo by Pūnana Leo o Mānoa, Hālau Kū Māna, and Ke Kula Kaiapuni ‘o Ānuenue.
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Ka Pāʻū Ehuehu o Hiʻiaka
(The Animated Skirt of Hiʻiaka), 2025
Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum
📍Handi-Van
Join us for the unveiling of the Wahi Pana Handi-Van and hear the moʻolelo behind this installation as it traverses across the mokupuni. As part of our program expanding ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi presence in public space, portions of the storytelling will be shared ma ka ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, honoring language as living practice and pathway.
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Honolulu Hale
12:00-1:30 PM
Enjoy the program as the Hale courtyard is filled through voices of our youth. Honor the strength and future of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi with over 50+ haumāna and kumu from:
• Pūnana Leo o Mānoa @ahapunanaleo
• Hālau Kū Māna @halaukumanapcs
• Ke Kula Kaiapuni ʻo Ānuenue @ke_kula_kaiapuni_o_anuenue
Immerse into their presentations of oli (chant), mele (song), hula (dance), and haʻiʻōlelo hoʻopaʻanaʻau (memorized speech oration)—powerful expressions of Hawaiian language confidently carried by the next generation.
This celebration is free and open to all. Please let us know you are coming by responding to the link in bio.
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Artist Cory Taum’s @kamehana_o_kala design transforms the Handi-Van into a moving cultural installation, carrying the moʻolelo of Hiʻiakaikapoliopele across Oʻahu in a new and deeply resonant way. As the Handi-Van travels daily routes connecting communities, the artwork reflects Hiʻiaka’s own expansive journey—linking districts, landscapes, and people through story.
Mahalo to our collaborators:
Department of Transportation Services
TheBus and Handi-Van Services
@hnl.dts + @ots_thebus_hv
Puʻuhonua Society / Aupuni Space
Curatorial Partner / Design Kōkua
@aupunispace + @puuhonuasociety
Moʻolelo Research
@mahucha_art + @olapakauwila.wilz
Studio on the Rock Fabrication + Production
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) (@hnl_moca) and a winner of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge grant (@bloombergdotorg).
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WEATHER UPDATE. Community activations for the Wahi Pana Phase 3 installations, originally scheduled for February 20-22, have been postponed due to inclement weather in the weekend forecast.
RESCHEDULED ACTIVATIONS TO COME. Stay connected here for new dates for community gatherings that will offer opportunities to meet the artists, learn about their creative process, and connect more deeply with the stories and meanings behind each installation.
Mahalo for your understanding and continued support of Wahi Pana: Storied Places.
Wahi Pana Handi-Van by @kamehana_o_kala — Coming Soon.
