About 100 students from Waipahu, Pearl City and Mililani high schools came together on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26, to create a mural that is more than three quarters of a mile long on Kamehameha Highway in Waipio.
“Everyone that drives past this corridor now that connects the different communities can all take pride in the work that students have done,” said Keith Hayashi, the superintendent of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, in a written statement.
Keith Hayashi (second from left), the superintendent for the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, joined students in working on the mural. (Hawai‘i State Department of Education) 
Students from three high schools each painted a section of a large mural along Kamehameha Highway in Waipio on Saturday, Oct. 25, and Sunday, Oct. 26. (Hawai‘i State Department of Education) 
Students joined Senator Michelle Kidani (fourth from the left) and Keith Hayashi (third from left), the superintendent of the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education, to work on the mural. (Hawai‘i State Department of Education) 
Students from each high school painted a section of the mural. (Hawai‘i State Department of Education)
The mural is located along part of Kamehameha Highway between Waipahu St. and Ka Uka Blvd. Each high school painted a portion of the wall. Mililani High School students painted the mauka-most section of the mural. Waipahu High School students took the middle of the design. Pearl City High School students painted the makai-most section of the mural. The mural was designed by designed by community artists Blythe Yoshikane Simpliciano, Jesse Velasquez and Solomon Enos.
“It's amazing that people are willing to show up to beautify a space like this and do this all together,” said Simpliciano in a written statement. “I think a joint collaboration between DOT and DOE is impressive. Not only that, but a joint collaboration between three high schools in this area. That's super cool.”
Enos is a Honolulu-based artist, illustrator, sculptor and muralist, who has created work for Google; Pixar Animation Studios; Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa; Howard Hughes; and Vans, among others. Enos also recently designed more than 3,000 square feet of murals for the inside of Amazon’s first delivery station in Hawai’i.
“I think it's a really nice opportunity to connect and just build upon bringing back to the community and making improvements to our ʻāina,” said Lyric Esperanza, a ninth-grade student at Pearl City High School, in a written statement.
The project was led by Senate Vice President Michelle Kidani, Chair of Education, who coordinated the state departments of education and transportation to provide workforce training, painting supplies and volunteer support for the event.
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Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
