Maui's Kūʻihēlani Highway has become a canvas celebrating the island's natural beauty, thanks to a collaboration between the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) and Maui Economic Opportunity’s (MEO) Youth Services program. Officials gathered on Aug. 27, to dedicate two vibrant murals aimed at beautifying the travel corridors and public spaces. According to HDOT's website, the initiative not only promotes local art but also fosters a sense of community ownership over the infrastructure.
The first mural, titled Moʻolelo o Maui, completed earlier in January by local artists Matt Agcolicol and Bailey Onaga, depicts the legendary demigod Maui harnessing the sun against a backdrop of the iconic Haleakalā. The second, painted on July 31 in collaboration with MEO’s youth, centers around a wave motif and features the Pu’u Ola’i cinder cone with maiapilo blossoms. The creative process included students drawing and painting pieces that inspired the final mural design.
According to HDOT's website, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. praised the project for encapsulating the island's essence, stating, "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," as noted in photographs of the dedication event. The murals can be found at the corner of Puʻunēnē Avenue and Kūʻihēlani Highway, adjacent to the Kahului Park & Ride.
HDOT Director Ed Sniffen expressed pride in highlighting the talents of Maui's youth and artists through this project. "We want our travel corridors, such as this one along Kūʻihēlani Highway to be more than just asphalt and signs, but a visual reminder of how lucky we are to live in Hawai‘i," he explained, as seen on HDOT's website.
