Ho‘ā ke ahi, kō‘ala ke ola.
O nā hale wale no ka i Honolulu;
o ka ‘ai a me ka i‘a i Nu‘uanu.

“Light from the fire for there is life-giving substance. Only the houses stand in Honolulu; the vegetable, food and meat are in Nuʻuanu.”

This ‘ōlelo no‘eau comes from Mary Kawena Pukuiʻs compilation of Hawaiian proverbs and poetical sayings. She writes:

“Itʻs an expression of affection for Nuʻuanu. In the olden days, much of the taro lands were found in Nu‘uanu, which supplied Honolulu with poi, taro greens, ‘o‘opu and freshwater shrimp. So it is said that only houses stand in Honolulu. Food comes from Nuʻuanu.”

Arts & Letters is a testament to this ‘ōlelo noʻeau.

Our food is creativity.

Come visit us.