Hawaii Department of Transportation

Honolulu, O‘ahu

This was the first project to get the feet wet for both Kaimukī High School and Pacific Buddhist Academy, prior to both schools to work on their bigger mural projects with the Mele Murals team. This was a temporary construction wall and is slated to come down in the 2018.

The mo‘olelo (stories) that were painted showed what the land looked like in Honolulu prior to all of the modern buildings being built. A part of this was to show how water was so important and how water aquafers were a fresh water resource for farming and people.

The haumāna (students) painted the story of the lava tubes existed underground and how lava tube runners were the messengers of communication between the ali‘i that lived up in the higher ground and their people that resided closer to the ocean. Images of he‘e hōlua (sled surfing) were also painted to reflect the traditional sport done near Punchbowl.

 The heads of several aumakua animals were also painted showing the pueo (owl), mo’o (lizard), ‘iwi (hawk), and honu (turtle) reflecting the study of aumakua by the haumāna at Kaimukī High School. Lastly, the portraits of King Kalākaua and his brother, James Kaliokalani, were rendered to show the leaders of the Hawaiian monarchy since the location of the Hawaii Department of Transportation where we were painting was near the residence of the king.

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Date Completed

August 2015

Schools Served

Kaimukī High School, Pacific Buddhist Academy

Lead Artists

Estria Miyashiro, Lindsay Lander, Mike Bam Tyau

Cultural Practitioners, Kūpuna, Community Orgs

Kaimukī High School

Sponsors & Supporters

Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Montana Cans

We Need Your Help

Your tax deductible Annual Membership provides much needed support for arts education in Hawaiʻi.

Help purchasing much needed supplies for our wall murals.

Assist in funding cultural advisers for our youth workshops.

Help stage events surrounding our public mural unveilings.

We Need Your Help

Your tax deductible Annual Membership provides much needed support for arts education in Hawaiʻi.

Help purchasing much needed supplies for our wall murals.

Assist in funding cultural advisers for our youth workshops.

Help stage events surrounding our public mural unveilings.

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