KAHULUI, Hawai‘i – The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), Maui Economic Opportunity’s (MEO) Youth Services program along with county and state leaders gathered on Wednesday, Aug. 27, for the dedication of two murals along Kūʻihēlani 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 & Keone’ō’io.”
The piece is centered around a powerful wave motif, symbolizing the island’s connective energy. It also feature’s Oneloa’s Pu’u Ola’i 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 Kūʻihēlani 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 [email protected]
“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 Kūʻihēlani 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.”
Photos of the event:
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Mural-group-blessing-.jpg
Caption: The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT) and Maui Economic Opportunity’s (MEO) Youth Services Program held a blessing on Aug. 27, 2025, of a new mural on the Kūʻihēlani Highway sound wall which was painted by MEO’s students and Maui artists Bailey Onaga and Matt Agcolicol. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. and HDOT Deputy Director of Highways Robin Shishido spoke at the event. The event was also attended by State Sen. Troy Hashimoto and MEO leaders
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Mural-crowd-shot-.jpg
Caption: Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), Maui Economic Opportunity’s (MEO) Youth Services Program and partners held a blessing of a mural painted by local artists and students at the Kūʻihēlani Highway sound wall on Aug. 27, 2025.
https://hidot.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/New-MEO-group–scaled.jpg
Caption: Students from Maui Economic Opportunity’s Youth Services program worked with local artists to paint the mural “Oneloa & Keone’ō’io” on July 31, 2025. The project was sponsored by Hawai‘i Department of Transportation.
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