The ancient Hawaiian Ahupua’a System of land division from the mountain to the sea, while caring for the sustainability of the land and water, is the theme of Waihe’e School mural art project that 88 fourth grade students created with the help of educator Mary Anna Grimes and artist Joëlle C.
About this interview
This video tells the story of a collaboration between Viewpoints Gallery artist Joëlle C., veteran educator Mary Anna Grimes, and 88 fourth graders at Waiheʻe Elementary School — a 145-year-old school in a valley within walking distance of the Waiheʻe wetlands refuge. The project brought the ancient Hawaiian ahupuaʻa system of land division, from mountain to sea, into the classroom through place-based, ʻāina-based learning.
The students learned how everything done on land affects the ocean, made field trips, and drew their own interpretations; Joëlle taught them to mix any color from red, yellow, and blue, then assembled their drawings — keeping their bold, uninhibited color and spontaneity — into the finished mural. Joëlle had first come to Waiheʻe School as an artist-in-residence 38 years earlier. Teachers and students reflect on what they learned: take care of the land, and the land takes care of you.
