Hui Partners with Kalama Intermediate in Preparation of 25th Anniversary

Tuesday, March 9th will mark a very special day for 50 7th grade Kalama students, volunteers and members of the Hui No‘eau youth outreach team as the last coat of paint is applied to a set of murals that have been 2 months in the making.

In recognition of Kalama Intermediate’s 25th anniversary, Principal John Costales and Classroom Teacher Marilyn Morikawa approached the Hui to brainstorm on ways to celebrate the cultural diversity and history of the school. A project entitled “We All Belong,” was developed over the course of several months of planning between Kalama and Hui No‘eau Children’s Program Coordinator Kelly McHugh. Over the course of 15 in-school visits, 2 classes of students became responsible for the planning, development and implementation of 2 large-scale murals on the grounds of the school, led by Morikawa and Hui teaching artist Nathalie Nunez.

“Marilyn has been such a supportive partner,” says Nunez, “we were both able to lend our individual strengths to the project and, together, found ways to incorporate a piece of every students’ individuality and creativity in the final pieces.” When asked about working on the grounds she says, “We have crowds of students who are in recess watching everything we are up to, many want to help that are not presently part of the program. There are lots of kids who want to sign up for art classes after seeing what they are capable of doing.”

The project was made possible by individual donations through the Hui’s “Raise the Paddle” auction at both the 2009 and 2010 Art Affair benefits, as well as the gracious support of Jim Sanders of Jim Sanders Reality, Inc. “We feel very fortunate to be able to work at this scale in our community,” says Hui Executive Director Caroline Killhour, “By continuing to raise these vital outreach funds, we are able to offer scholarships, supplies and the guidance of high-caliber artists that help enable access to the visual arts to every interested child across Maui.”

"What an incredible collaboration to help celebrate our 25th anniversary!” remarks Morikawa, “ the Hui team's expertise and enthusiasm has driven this project from idea to synthesis to production- my students and I have learned so much. Thank you, Nathalie and Hui No‘eau, for your contribution to Kalama Intermediate School."

The murals will be unveiled during the school’s "25 Years – We All Belong" Celebration, scheduled for the morning May 8th, ad will also include a blessing, entertainment and presentation of the Kalama Anniversary Quilt.