Moloka'i: Haleola

"I believe in the island.  I believe in the land."

For my character, Haleola, I decided to draw a scene versus an object.  In this scene that I believe is a symbol for Haleola, on one side of the drawing, there is a storm with lightning, choppy water, and a shark.  Obviously, that side is the "bad" side.  On the "good" side however, there is an illuminating sun radiating heat, calm water with fish, and a safe shore.  The "bad" side represents people coming from a tough situation, such as Rachel.  Rachel was put to shame by people in her community due to her leprosy, soon having to go to the island of lepurs.  Rachel was nervous about coming to the island, being isolated from those who weren't sick with this shameful disease.  However, when she sees the island of lepurs, she feels more welcomed than anything, as many of those on the island were at the shore to welcome the ship with the new arrivals.  The first person to welcome her is Haleola, setting the tone for Rachel's treatment there and being Rachel's adopted aunt.  The "good" side of the picture represents the comfort and welcoming that Haleola provides others with, making her like the sun and the shore, providing safety and love to those who feel insecure and lonely, especially going to a place of isolation.  She has a love for the lepur colony and for Hawaii's past.  She is also a believer in the old Hawaiian religion.  The quote best represents Haleola, as she is proud to be Hawaiian and to be affiliated with what it is, but is also content with being at the island for the lepurs.  She has a positive attitude about her life and the circumstances in it, despite how difficult it can be at times.  She is like the radiating sun, giving people what they need, while also acting as the shore, being there for support and being that first welcoming person of many in the community.