808 Urban

No saan mo nga ammo a taliawen ti naggapuam saan ka a makadanon ti papanam.

“You’ll never get to where you’re going if you don’t know where you’re from,” is an Ilocano saying found on a mural series on the campus of Lānaʻi High & Elementary School depicting the struggles and victories of Lānaʻi pineapple plantation workers.

It is a reminder to students to honor their roots as they forge bright futures.

Readmore by clicking link: https://hawaiipublicschools.org/2026-mural-moʻolelo-lanaʻi-high-elementary/

🎨 The beginnings of the Waimea Mural Project are taking shape!

Yesterday, we were honored to welcome 808 Urban’s John Hina alongside our beloved kūpuna Aunty Gracie Acain (Makuaʻole), Aunty Roberta “Mamo” Kaohi (Kaukani), and Aunty Gracieʻs son, Dom Acain.

They shared moʻolelo of life growing up in Waimea — stories that will help inspire some of the vision and mana behind the mural. 🌺✨

This project is about more than paint on a wall… it’s about honoring our kūpuna, preserving moʻolelo, and uplifting the spirit of Waimea for generations to come. 💜

Kalae Tangonan led us through the mo'olelo and process as to how the remuraling project came to be. Many, many hands were involved in making this happen in so many ways, but the spirit and energy of Kala'e is what made it a reality! Mahalo nui!

Interwoven lei of Moloka’i mo’olelo(stories). Ho’omaika’i Kalae Tangonan and ‘Ohana. Mahalo for letting us (808 Urban) be apart on this amazing journey. After years of manifesting.. it is now complete!

This Mother’s Day, we honor the wāhine who fill our cups—again and again—with aloha, ‘ike, and unwavering strength.
To the mamas, aunties, tūtū, and caregivers who pour their mana‘o into the next generation, who teach us to nourish ourselves, our ‘ohana, and our ʻāina—we see you, we mahalo you.

artwork for , inspired by the idea of drinking deeply from the wisdom of our ancestors.
Here’s to all the women who are the well—mo‘okū‘auhau in motion.

Hauʻoli Lā Makuahine!

Hauʻoli Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi! This February, we celebrate Hawaiian Language Month, a time to honor and uplift ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, all thanks to the legacy of Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani. Today, February 9, is her birthday, a perfect time to reflect on her impact and dedication to our language and culture.

Born in 1826, Ruth Keʻelikōlani was a high-ranking aliʻi known for her unwavering commitment to Hawaiian traditions. She remained a fierce protector of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, even as Western influence led to its decline. With the growing presence of missionaries and foreign governance, English was increasingly prioritized in schools, government, and business. By 1896, a law was passed banning Hawaiian as the primary language of education, pushing it further toward suppression. Despite these pressures, Keʻelikōlani continued to speak only Hawaiian, demonstrating its value and resilience. As a strong political leader and landowner, she used her wealth to support her people and later ensured that her lands would help fund Hawaiian education through what became Kamehameha Schools.

But today, ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi thrives once again. Thanks to the dedication of language revitalization efforts, immersion schools, university programs, and community initiatives, the language is alive and growing. More people are learning, speaking, and embracing it in daily life. What once faced suppression is now a source of pride, connection, and identity.

Here’s a coloring page of Ruth Keʻelikōlani, colored with Waihoʻoluʻu, the first-ever ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi coloring pencil set. This set represents more than just colors; it’s a way to immerse keiki and kūpuna alike in our language through art, storytelling, and cultural pride. Sharing these tools and stories helps strengthen ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, ensuring that future generations continue to learn, speak, and live our language.

This is why we celebrate. This is why we share.

E ola ka ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi!