Second Mele Mural project underway at UH Hilo

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Paint Party is scheduled for Monday afternoon at 1:30. Members of the UH Hilo ʻohana are invited. Mural will be unveiled on Wednesday.

By Susan Enright.

Group of students in nature, waterfall in background.
The process began with field trips for design inspiration.
Students and Estria Miyashiro drawing at table.
Next, the group drew out designs. At right is Estria Miyashiro, founder of the statewide Mele Mural project.

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo ʻohana is designing and painting a second Mele Mural on campus this week.

Mele Murals is a five-year, statewide youth project that started in late 2013, where local artists, youth, and other members of communities spanning the eight major islands of Hawaiʻi are creating a series of large-scale outdoor murals focusing on Hawaiian lyrics and mele (song) that exploremoʻolelo ʻaina (stories of place) and cultural and historical heritage.

A goal of the project is to create an all-islands public art project that is artistically excellent and deeply connected to the history of Hawaiʻi, as well as a source of pride.

The first mural was completed at Hale Kauanoe in March of this year.

An image on the mural of a woman holding a flame.
An image appears on second day of work on mural. Click to enlarge.

The core hui (group) for the current project will be students participating in the UH Hilo-Kamehameha Schools Kupa ʻĀina Summer Bridge Program. Painting began July 11 with the unveiling of the mural scheduled for Wednesday, July 15.

Photos of the first two days of working on the mural, click to enlarge:

Let’s Paint Party!

Members of the UH Hilo ʻohana are invited to participate in a Mele Mural Paint Party on Monday, July 13, 2015 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Hale Ikena Main Office.

The founder and creative director of the statewide Mele Mural project, Estria Miyashiro, along with his team, will be leading the project.

The project is sponsored by the UH Hilo Office of the Chancellor, the Hoʻokahua Project, Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center, University Housing, and the Estria Foundation.

For more information, contact Holo Hoopai.

Update: July 14 photo essay of progress on the mural

About the writer of this story: Susan Enright is a public information specialist for the Office of the Chancellor and editor of UH Hilo Stories. She received her bachelor of arts in English and certificate in women’s studies from UH Hilo.

Photos courtesy of Student Affairs.

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