To celebrate Edith Kanaka‘ole’s U.S. Mint quarter, local artists Kamea Hadar and Kuha‘o Zane, Kanakaole’s grandson, are creating a mural of the late Hawaiian icon at the University of Hawaii at Hilo campus.
With the support of the UH-Hilo Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Services, the mural will be officially unveiled at UH-Hilo on Saturday during the celebration of the release of the commemorative quarter. The free event will honor Kanaka‘ole, who was a kumu hula and patron of Hawaiian arts and culture.
As part of the celebration, Zane decided to ask his friend if he would like to paint a mural of his grandmother on the Edith Kanaka‘ole Building, and Hadar jumped at the chance.
“I said yes immediately. It was an honor, obviously, because she is a special woman, and to be tasked with honoring her and painting her is very special,” Hadar said. “I’m working to capture her essence, which is hard when you’ve never met someone, but I’ve spent time looking at photos, I visited her halau and talked to people who knew her.”
Kanaka‘ole — who was born in Honomu in 1913 and died in 1979 — created seminars and courses at UH-Hilo including ‘Olelo Hawaii, ethnobotany, Polynesian history, genealogy and Hawaiian mythology.
Her early contributions to the university’s Hawaiian language program and numerous community initiatives have set a foundation that continues to be built on today.
“Some people working here for decades can’t say enough how happy they are, and it’s nice to have such positive feedback to keep me going,” Hadar said. “The city of Hilo is a beautiful place, and the people here are beautiful. I’m excited to show the finished mural on Saturday.”
Hadar is a talented, experienced muralist honored by this opportunity. He has taken art courses at the Honolulu Art Academy and University of Hawaii and spent periods living, studying and creating around the world.
Hadar lives in Honolulu, and his large-scale murals for businesses, organizations, and schools can be seen on buildings throughout Hawaii.
While Hadar has handled the portrait portion of the mural, Zane is designing a part of the mural by using his father, Sig Zane’s, famous designs with cultural narratives. An oli by Kanaka‘ole also will be featured on the mural.
“As a person from Hawaii, it’s inspirational that our little state has made waves on this scale, where a strong, female community leader is featured on the quarter,” Hadar said.
“I feel like, if there was ever a time for my daughters to be inspired it is now. They can have big murals done of them, they can be on quarters, and they can do whatever they want.”
The quarter will be presented to the community after the 45-minute ceremony featuring the Kanaka‘ole family, UH President David Lassner, a representative for Gov. Josh Green, and Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth.
The Mint involved the Kanaka‘ole family throughout the design process, and almost 200 million Kanaka‘ole quarters have been shipped nationwide.
The mural will be unveiled after the main ceremony, which begins at 10:30 a.m. at the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
