The Estria Foundation in collaboration with Hawaii Preparatory Academy and the Bill Healy Foundation partnered with local artists, cultural advisers and students to create a large-scale, outdoor mural that focuses on the Hawaiian lyrics (mele), moolelo aina (stories of place), cultural and historical heritage of Waimea as part of the Mele Murals program.
The Estria Foundation in collaboration with Hawaii Preparatory Academy and the Bill Healy Foundation partnered with local artists, cultural advisers and students to create a large-scale, outdoor mural that focuses on the Hawaiian lyrics (mele), mo‘olelo ‘aina (stories of place), cultural and historical heritage of Waimea as part of the Mele Murals program.
Participating schools included HPA, Kanu o ka ‘Aina, Parker School, ‘Alo Kehau, Punana Leo o Waimea, Waimea Elementary, Waimea Country School and Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino.
The students involved in HPA’s Mele Mural began an eight-day workshop Sept. 18. Estria Miyashiro, founder of The Estria Foundation, mentored students through the process. Students collaborated with local artists, community leaders and cultural practitioners to create a visual concept on how mele relates to place.
The mural painting will conclude with a community unveiling and blessing from 3-4 p.m. today, Sept. 28, followed by music, food, fellowship and celebration at the Waimea Community Center. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye, County Councilman Tim Richards and state Rep. David Tarnas have confirmed they will attend.
Through Mele Murals, The Estria Foundation hopes to develop arts-interested youth into visual storytellers to preserve Hawaiian values, increase cross-generation and cross-island engagement for all to learn and share the mele and stories that highlight important artistic, cultural and historical themes with a global audience.
Mele Murals build upon the tradition of many public art, youth development, art education and community development programs that have been successful around the globe. With murals accomplished throughout the Hawaiian Islands, the number of partners involved and the incorporation of ancient Hawaiian protocols, the Mele Murals model is an unprecedented one.
For more information, visit www.estria.org.