Hauula is unique in its geography. I recall listening to one of those "motivational" tapes and hearing the speaker say, "You can't have everything in life; you can't go hiking in the mountains and go play at the beach all in one day!"

Well, that guy hasn't been to Hauula! The beauty of this place resonated from the children's responses to my question, "What makes Hauula special?" The ocean, the mountains, fishing, hiking, surfing, etc. Hauula Elementary is 10 steps from the ocean's edge and a 5-minute walk to the mountain's edge.

In addition to its unique geography, Hauula has an important history in the Windward side of Oahu's evolution. In back of the school lies the remainder of the train tracks that guided the train that traveled around the windward side, bringing needed goods and transportation to the local people. This train is depicted in the mural, along with the historic sailing vessel the "Hokulea" as a symbol of the children's journey in life.

"What is a symbol, or what reminds you of learning?" This question I asked the children was answered with names of people in the community, including teachers, policemen, firemen, fishermen, and friends and family.

There are a high percentage of Hawaiian people in Hauula, and I had the chance to experience a class of children speaking in Hawaiian with their teacher. I also had the unique privilege of working with a retired teacher who taught at Hauula Elementary in 1956! Her name is Betty Haring, and she and her husband come back every year to stay in Hauula.

The result of this research on the history, beauty, and uniqueness of Hauula has yielded a mural that depicts the geographic beauty of Hauula from ocean to ocean and the mountains between; the history of Hauula form the train tracks to the old school house to the infamous Ching Tong Leong store; and last but certainly not least, the people of Hauula including actual teachers, students, and members of the community.