A new Mele Mural was unveiled Friday in celebration of the Ironman World Championship.
The mural was painted by more than 50 students of Big Island high schools. The inspiration was the theme of this year’s race, “Hoomau,” which is the Hawaiian value of perseverance, persistence and determination.
Established by the Estria Foundation, Mele Murals is a youth engagement program rooted in creating opportunities for young people to build community, strengthen their understanding of Hawaiian practices, and to become community-connected stewards of Hawaiian visual culture. Over a five-year period, which started in 2013, artists, youth and other community members from the eight major Hawaii Islands are creating a series of large-scale outdoor murals focusing on mele, or Hawaiian lyrics, that explore stories of place, as well as cultural and historical heritage.
For more information, visit estria.org/melemurals.