University of Hawaii at Hilo – HPM Building
Hilo, Hawaii
The Mele Murals, public art movement that perpetuates mo‘olelo and traditional mele, travels back to Hilo for another youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and community-building project in time for the 2016 Merrie Monarch Festival. Students from Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikōlani collaborate to create a large-scale, outdoor mural that focuses on the Hawaiian lyrics (mele), mo’olelo ʻāina (stories of place), cultural and historical heritage of Hilo.
The Estria Foundation was honored to collaborate with haumāna (students) from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Hawaiian Studies Program. The program is one of the most innovative programs of its kind, offering a Hawaiian-based cultural continuum that perpetuates the culture within a Hawaiian language context.
Mural Name
No Hilo Kuʻu Lei Pāpahi
Date Completed
Lead Artists
Estria Miyashiro, Mike Bam Tyau, Lindsay Lander, Kanoa Castro
Cultural Practitioners, Kūpuna, Community Orgs
Kamalani Johnson, Ka Haka ‘Ula o Ke‘elikōlani
Sponsors & Supporters
Documented By
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.