2025 Arts & ʻĀina Explorations, at the Hui Noʻeau
During our 4 days together on the beautiful grounds of the Hui Noʻeau, we spent our time exploring and developing a Sense of Place through Culture and the Arts, focusing on Mālama 'Aina - protecting the land, while getting to know each other, while entering a playful space of curiosity and fun!
We opened and closed each day with Hawaiian Oli, Hula and Song, guided by Kumu Hula, Jaydon Isobe. Our very first experience together was Forest Bathing under the "Grandmother Tree" with Nationally Certified Forest Bathing Guide, Melinda Caroll. The invitation was to slow down, breathe and deeply take in our outside surroundings and the internal landscape each person brought.
Now we were ready to follow the inspiration of master Teaching Artists, Shelley Toon Lindberg and Paul Wood.
The response from the Teachers and Teaching Artists confirmed our commitment once again to the need for our programs, for Mauiʻs Education Community. The quality time we spent together in person, promoted well-being, deepening the connections for teachers and teaching artists, and helped to combine our resources and support for one another, a rich and lasting sense of unity.
Here is some of the specific feedback we received in the areas we explored!
1. The morning and afternoon sessions with oli, hula and reflections connected me to the Big Idea of how Hawaiian culture enhances and promotes mālama ‘āina:
"Ho’omaika’i, Jaydon, for the way you crafted and scaffolded this experience. – This aspect was phenomenal! It helped me truly understand where I am and what’s important. Later, when I became disregulated at home, I was able to come back to these principles and find a sense of belonging with the ʻāina. (Stephi) -
"The hula & mele we learned from Jaydon was much appreciated as I will be blending my music program with the Hawaiian Studies program at Makawao School. I am always eager to learn more about Hawaiian language & culture so I can promote this in my work with children. Jaydon embodies pure Aloha, what a loving spirit and so uplifting to be around!"
2. Forest Bathing was inspiring and helped me dive deeper into respect and kuleana for the natural environment:
"I am a tree hugging diva/worshipper who is afraid of wasps. Forest Bathing helped me to see them as a creature, just like me, going about his life as I do. This allowed me to slow down, notice my surroundings, and get more intentional with my journey in these workshops."
"Yes, absolutely and so important to pass on to the keiki, the ability to just sit and be present with nature so you can develop respect for the stillness within and the beauty on the outside!"
3. The visual arts lessons and strategies provided the opportunity for me to create, respond, connect, and share.
"Shelley was an amazing teacher. She modeled and gave us artistic choices so well. I really enjoyed the “open studio” time to apply what we learned. I also like that I could use my learning in both Paul and Shelley’s classes."
"Love, love, love the freedom to create with no end product in mind. There was no pressure to become, only to be. We had ample opportunities to connect and share what we continued to create."
"This helped me heal an “art scar” I developed in middle school. The freedom to express and create expanded my mind and ideas for my work, and I now have a deeper understanding of the materials I have access to and their intended uses."
" It was so much fun to learn how to emboss with aluminum. It was also great to see everyone’s artwork and appreciate our unique interpretations of the assignments."
4. I was able to use both the writing and visual arts strategies to “creatively communicate the importance of protecting our environment.
"Poems on pokaku, feather, and a color really stretched me to think of nature from a different perspective. ...I am a lover of rocks and feathers, items that ground and lift. My Hawaiian name is Nahulu o puaolena, the feather of the turmeric flower. In order to live in our world healthfully, we must protect our environment. ...The intersection of both art forms inspired and evoked surprises and bursts of ideas."
"I loved Paul’s lesson of writing a rock letter, and listening to the response. This was a beautiful integration helping me better understand the ways these strategies can enhance my teachings."
"The message was definitely there throughout the PD. I imagine the arts tasks allowed for this important message to manifest because in focusing creative energy into painting and embossing nature’s treasures, the beauty of it all is directly experienced."
"Returning our ‘finds’ back to their spot also encouraged respect of the environment."
5. I was able to use both the writing and visual arts strategies to “creatively communicate the importance of protecting our environment.
"I used both writing and visual arts strategies in and from both sessions. The writing lessons challenged me and I felt connected more with students that don’t see writing as a strength."
"It felt so good to create, playing with words and given permission to just select words – no rules, no wrong answers. The writing helped me put my thoughts down, to take time to put them into words. Paul and Shelley did a great job focusing on our ‘āina and how we can connect and relate with it. I loved thinking about ways to restructure the writing process."
6. I will be able to use and adapt the lessons from this week with my students and/or colleagues.
As a team we will use what we learned to integrate and enrich our content, giving students a way to deepen a sense of self and place. - So excited to plan and implement/explore these strategies with the kiddos this school year. – I am already planning how I can bring this back as PD for my staff. – Writing and visual arts, especially these lessons, fit easily into lessons to build class culture and embed into Hawaiian studies and science standards. -
Yes, and I am so excited about it. I’ve already tried out a couple of activities with my ohana. Inspired great discussions as we relaxed and played with art and words together.
"My background is the performing arts so this gave me more confidence in the visual arts and helped me discover new ideas and ways of teaching."
"Paul gave some helpful guidance for writing poetry that can easily be translated to song-writing with the kids. The hula and song we learned from Jaydon was also much appreciated as I will be blending my music program with the Hawaiian Studies program at Makawao next school year."
"I came home, typed out the words, researched links, compiled it all and sent it to Jason Fukushima who I will be working with. The whole PD, including Melinda's tree bathing & tea ceremony was so lovely and supported me as an artist with activities that rejuvenated me and reminded me to come back to my center and be present. This activity in itself is important to apply to children in different ways."
7. I had enough time to reflect on my learning and collaborate with peers.
I truly enjoyed hearing ideas from peers and seeing their plans or things they do and taking them back to my school. Mahalo! I feel grounded, nourished, and immense gratitude for this experience.
Yes! Mahalo nui loa. That time is very productive and often underutilized. This part is my favorite, especially with a group like this. Thank you! This was incredible and revitalized many of my passions!
We want to make a shout-out to The Aloha Lifestyle Maui Chef, Lisa Villiarimo for the delicious nourishing local food all week!
When We Shine Foundation is especially grateful to the Hui Noʻeau for their partnership in this program in providing such an ideal location and space! And to the Mills Davis Foundation and Makana Aloha for their generous sponsorship - we simply cannot provide these services for our Educational Community without you!
For more information about our programs, contact us at glow@whenweshine.org.
