Ke Ea O Ka Moku, He Hoeuli: Navigating 30 Years of Ke Kula Kaiapuni O Ānuenue | Nā Leo Kākoʻo

Nā Leo Kākoʻo (NLK), a parent-led nonprofit founded in 1996, supports the vision of Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue (KKOA) and works to ensure that children are educated in the language of their kūpuna. Our community of kākoʻo includes so much more than those directly associated with the school; it also reflects that Ānuenue has been and remains a foundational reminder of the success we can achieve as a lāhui when our ʻōlelo makuahine is the focus.

Serving a diverse student body across Oʻahu, NLK raises critical funds and addresses ongoing inequities in materials, facilities, transportation, and systemic support. For the 2025–2026 school year, one of NLK’s priorities includes Hoʻopilina, to deepen connections among kumu, haumāna, ʻohana, and the broader community.

As Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue proudly celebrates thirty years of ʻike, ʻike kūpuna, and ʻike hou shared through Hawaiian language immersion education, the school reflects on three decades as a place where ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, culture, and community are nurtured and carried forward by students, families, and educators.

To honor this milestone, KKOA seeks to create a lasting and meaningful tribute that reflects the collective journey of its school and broader community.

To commemorate its 30-year anniversary, KKOA proposes a free, community-based mural painting event in collaboration with renowned local muralist Gavin Murai. The mural (approximately 40 feet by 8 feet) will serve as both a visual tribute and a living symbol of the school’s legacy, highlighting themes of waʻa, voyaging, shared knowledge, and intergenerational connection. The design will be collaboratively developed by Gavin Murai and current haumāna, ensuring that student voice, creativity, and cultural perspective remain central to the project.

The mural will be created through a guided, hands-on process inviting active participation from ʻohana, students, alumni, former faculty, and community members. Each participant will have the opportunity to literally and figuratively leave their mark on thirty years of history, embodying the Hawaiian value of laulima, many hands working together and reinforcing that the school’s success has always been rooted in community collaboration.

The celebration will also feature local retail and food vendors, creating a welcoming market atmosphere where families can gather, connect, and support local businesses. We anticipate about 500 people to attend the event with a plan to host 20 vendors. With sponsorship funds, we also plan to produce commemorative booklets and T-shirts to share with event attendees, featuring the mural artwork and honoring the 30-year celebration.

Through this mural and market event, Kula Kaiapuni o Ānuenue will create a permanent visual legacy that uplifts pride, belonging, and connection, ensuring that the spirit of the past thirty years continues to guide the journeys ahead.

Hosted by Nā Leo Kākoʻo