Todd “Estria” Johnson has been spray painting for over 30 years, and is recognized around the world as an urban art living legend. As a pioneer in an arts movement that is arguably more influential than the classical renaissance, he is acknowledged as a valued historian, and a community leader who has helped to awaken the social and political consciousness of graffiti writing art.

Originally from Honolulu, Estria was active in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980’s during the “Golden Age Of Graffiti.” His graffiti art background has led him to produce innovative projects as an educator, entrepreneur, and social activist. From the city streets, to executive suites, Estria has worked with numerous non-profit organizations (Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center in San Francisco & Eastside Arts Alliance in Oakland), as well as high profile corporations. In 2007, he co-founded the “Estria Battle,” a nationwide urban art competition that honors and advances creativity in the Hip Hop arts. In 2010, he co-founded the Estria Foundation.

Born and raised in Honolulu, Mike “Bam” Tyau currently resides in the San Francisco Bay Area, but returns often to Hawai‘i to teach mural and Hawaiian cultural classes for the Mele Murals program.

Mike project manages the marketing, web development, and new development projects for the Estria Foundation and is proud to be one of the art and cultural teachers that helped launch Hālau Pāheona at Kaimukī High School.

Cherisse has worked in education since 2002 in both public and private school settings. She has worked with the Estria Foundation to design and implement the curriculum for Hālau Pāheona and the Professional Development program for teachers. As a mother of three boys, Cherisse has a personal interest in working to strengthen the quality of education in Hawaiʻi.

Sarah is a recent graduate of the University of Hawaii Mānoa with a degree in marketing. However she has always had a passion for art since she was young. Sarah started by volunteering for the Mele Murals Summer Program, where she found a deep connection with the program. She now facilitates the Mele Murals program as an artist, assistant teacher, and project coordinator.

Sarah’s artwork can be found scattered around Oahu. During her free time, Sarah enjoys working on her small business up-cycling pieces, screen printing, and selling her beautiful floral artwork pieces. Check out more of her artwork at ArtBySarahFarris.com.

Born and raised in Kailua, Kaila has been working in education since 2016 and she enjoys helping children learn and grow. Kalia is a graduate of Pacific Northwest College of Art with a BFA in Fine Arts.

Kalia will be an assistant teacher for our Mele Murals Spring Break and Summer Intersessions and is passionate about arts education for empowering youth of Hawaii.