Murals spotlighting Maui’s natural beauty dedicated in Kahului

The Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation, Maui Economic Opportunity’s Youth Services program along with county and state leaders gathered on Wednesday, Aug. 27, for the dedication of two murals along Kūihelani Highway (Route 380) in Kahului.

The murals are part of HDOT’s public outreach to collaborate with the community to beautify HDOT’s travel corridors and public spaces. HDOT provides the artists’ “canvases,” paint supplies and support. Community partners bring their vision, creativity and spirit.

The first mural, “Moʻolelo o Maui,” was completed in January by Maui artists Matt Agcolicol and Bailey Onaga. The mural features Haleakalā and depicts Maui the demigod harnessing the sun.

On July 31, Agcolicol and Onaga teamed up with students from MEO’s Youth Services program to paint “Oneloa & Keoneʻōʻio.”

The piece is centered around a powerful wave motif, symbolizing the island’s connective energy. It also features Oneloa’s Puʻu Olaʻi cinder cone along with maiapilo blossoms.

Prior to the painting day, students learned about public art and thought about their favorite memories of their island home. They then drew and or painted their own pieces to inspire the artists who came up with the design for the mural. The artworks are adjacent to the Kahului Park & Ride at the corner of Puʻunēnē Avenue (Route 3500) and Kūihelani Highway (Route 380).

“This mural is a beautiful tribute to what makes Maui unique: our connection to the ocean, our grounding in the land, and the kuleana we share in caring for both. It shows what we can accomplish when government, nonprofits, artists, and our youth come together, creating something greater than any one of us could have done alone,” said Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr.

HDOT is looking to partner with other community members and organizations to create more murals around the Valley Isle, including in Lahaina. Those interested may contact HDOT Highways Acting Maui District Engineer Ty Fukuroku at ty.h.fukuroku@hawaii.gov

“HDOT is proud to showcase our gifted local artists and especially our youth with these two murals featuring Maui’s natural beauty,” said HDOT Director Ed Sniffen. “We want our travel corridors, such as this one along Kūihelani Highway to be more than just asphalt and signs, but a visual reminder of how lucky we are to live in Hawai‘i. The partnerships developed through the murals connect government with community and give residents a feeling of ownership in the infrastructure they use for their daily commute.”