Photos: UH Hilo Mele Mural unveiled; first Mele Mural in state to have 11 separate walls

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The mural was completed in seven days by haumāna (students) of the Kupa ʻĀina Summer Bridge Program, Ka Huliau, and Nā Pua Noʻeau summer programs at UH Hilo.

Mural of woman holding a white flame at night, she is surrounded by clouds and stars.
The Hina Wall of the new Mele Mural at UH Hilo. (Photos and captions in this story provided by the Estria Foundation and the UH Hilo Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center)

By Susan Enright/UH Hilo Stories.

The Kumulipo Wall spells out the word Kumulipo in large narrow upright letters in pastels.
Docent Jake explains the Kumulipo Wall at the unveiling of the new Mele Mural at UH Hilo. “Kumulipo” is spelled out in large, narrow letters placed on eight pillars.

The second Mele Mural at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo was unveiled at the Hale Ikena residence hall on July 15. 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 explore moʻolelo ʻaina (stories of place) and cultural and historical heritage.

The first Mele Mural at UH Hilo was completed in March.

Group of students wearing blue t-shirts.
Students from the Kupa ʻĀina Summer Bridge Program, who did much of the artwork on the Mele Mural, gather for the unveiling.

The mural done this week is the first Mele Mural in the state to have 11 walls incorporated into a single mural project. It was completed in seven days by haumāna (students) of the Kupa ʻĀina Summer Bridge Program (assisting recent Hawaiʻi Island high school graduates entering UH Hilo this fall), Ka Huliau (assisting students transferring from community colleges into UH Hilo), and Nā Pua Noʻeau summer programs at UH Hilo.

The founder and creative director of the statewide Mele Mural project, Estria Miyashiro, along with his team, led both projects at UH Hilo.

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

Unveiling

Mele Mural unveilings are entirely student lead where the students transition from artists to public speakers, experiences that are a first for many.

Mural of hands holding cup of fire.
Ipu Kukui Wall (left).
Murals of large eyes, the solar system, and woman holding a flame.
View of three walls.
Mural of ALOHA spelled out in colorful wide letters.
Aloha Wall.
Detail of mural with planets and constellations.
Detail of a wall.
Mural of sea creatures, notably octopus tentacles.
The Kanaloa Wall fronts the Hale Ikena offices.
Mural on pillar of green scales.
Pillars detailed with scales separate each of the sections.

Story by Susan Enright, 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 and captions provided by the Estria Foundation and UH Hilo Kīpuka Native Hawaiian Student Center.

Update Sept. 11, 2015, Estria Foundation releases video on the mural:

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