Holualoa Elementary School students and ohana literally got paint on their hands to create a mural on the school campus.
Mahea Akau of Lydia8, a non-profit organization, and artists Kukui Mahoney of 808 Urban along with Brandy-Alia of Hilo started the mural project.
“Our deepest gratitude to Lilinoi Grace of Aloha MAP for funding this project! We are humbled and grateful for this gift to our school and community,” the school’s PTO said in a statement.
On Friday during school hours, students contributed their hand prints on selected areas of the planned murals.
On Saturday there was an ‘Ohana &Community Paint Day from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at Holualoa School. Students, parents, staff and community members got together to share their handprints to the mural.
“It was heaps of fun and such a heartwarming experience. I loved how it brought all kinds of people in our community together – young, old, keiki, parents, grandparents, neighbors, artists and non-artists,” said parent Carolyn Lucas-Zenk.
She said the mural truly embodies something much deeper than an initial glance might reveal.
“Everyone who participated left a little piece of themselves on the walls. It’s an inspiring piece of art, one that shows and reminds us that when we take what makes us unique, whether it’s backgrounds, beliefs, skills and imperfections, and work together, we can create something beautiful and in great harmony. Many thanks for seeing and bringing this opportunity to our school, which empowered our youth, harnessed everyone’s positive energy and added yet another colorful, meaningful mural on our campus,” she said. “I truly believe that when people of a community are actively engaged in creating artwork that beautifies their environment in which they live, work, learn or play, they can always see their own hopes and dreams.”
Jen Torcato, Holualoa School PTO President sent out a big mahalo to Kukui Mahoney, Mahea Akau, Lilinoi Grace of Aloha MAP and Shaula Tualelei for bringing the project to life.
“Today was a beautiful day for keiki and their ‘Ohana to contribute towards murals that our present and future generations will enjoy! I am so excited to see the progression of these murals during the upcoming week,” she said on Saturday.
Lead artist Kukui Mahoney explained in a video the first process in creating the mural symbolized the DNA of the people in the community, especially the kids that attend the school.
Paint from all the colors of the rainbow were put in pans for keiki and ohana to dip their hands into and leave their prints on the wall.
“We just let the kids choose any colors that speaks to their na‘au,” she said.
Mahoney said the mural process is a farmer when you have a bare garden, you would plant seeds and water it. After a while they start to sprout.
“Same thing with the mural. It’s a blank wall and the mana lima (hands) acts like a seed,” she explained.
Next, they gathered rainwater from the area and spread it over the painted walls.
Principal Glenn Gray said having the kids participate hands on and getting the staff involved in Saturday’s event meant the world to the school.
“Our hearts were so grateful for this opportunity,” said Gray. “We are truly blessed.”