You're Invited to the Blessing and Unveiling of Two New Kahului Public Artworks

A blessing and unveiling of two newly installed public artworks by Maui artist Courtney Holland and Los Angeles-based artist James Dinh is scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025, beginning at 10 am at Keōpūolani Regional Park in Kahului. The gathering will take place at the Kanaloa Avenue entrance near the Skate Park and will honor not only the completed works, but also the many hands and voices that shaped their creation. The public is encouraged to participate.

Each mural serves as the artistic backdrop to a new outdoor Fitness Court—one by Holland at Keōpūolani Regional Park and one by Dinh at Kahului Community Center Park, marking a new partnership with the County of Maui, the Hawai‘i Medical Service Association (HMSA), and the National Fitness Campaign. The public artworks are affixed to the 224-square-foot sheer back walls of the Fitness Court structures, which are designed to promote health and movement in public spaces. Recognizing this as a powerful site for creative expression, the project team saw the mural surfaces as opportunities to expand on public input received through the 2023 Maui County Public Art Community Survey—calling for artworks that preserve local stories, honor the environment, and celebrate cultural history.

Originally set for unveiling in fall 2023, this public art project was postponed in the aftermath of the Maui wildfires as all partners prioritized support for community recovery. By November 2023, artists Courtney Holland and James Dinh had completed their mural designs following a five-month collaborative development process grounded in place-based storytelling, cultural consultation, and historical research. The project was led by the County of Maui's SMALL TOWN * BIG ART initiative in collaboration with Maui Public Art Corps, Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House / Maui Historical Society, HMSA, the National Fitness Campaign, and a core group of community consultants who generously offered insights into the history, culture, and sense of place of Kahului and Keōpūolani Regional Park. These individuals included Mary Kielty, Chief of Recreation for the County of Maui Department of Parks & Recreation; Art Vento of Maui Arts & Cultural Center; Kauwela Bisquera of the Kahului Rotary Club; Aunty Kekoa Enomoto, community advocate; Sissy Lake-Farm, kumu hula of Hālau Makana Aloha O Ka Lauaʻe; Ann-Marie Power of AMPLove Project Management; and Kelly White of Maui Public Art Corps and the County’s public art program.

Courtney Holland’s mural, rooted in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: “O ka pono ke hana ʻia a iho mai na lani” (“Continue to do good until the heavens come down to you”), is a personal reflection on her roots in Kahului and the enduring legacy of her kūpuna. “By seeing my work in this space, I hope the community feels a deeper connection to the stories, emotions, or themes I’ve explored,” said Holland. “My goal is to spark reflection, conversation, and perhaps even inspiration. My artistic process is rooted in exploration, intuition, and storytelling. It’s not always linear—often, it’s about embracing the unknown and allowing the work to evolve naturally.”

James Dinh’s mural, rooted in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: “Hānau ka ‘āina, hānau ke ali‘i, hānau ke kanaka” (“Born was the land, born were the chiefs, born were the common people”), weaves together references to native plants and animals, hula gestures, community history, and oral traditions shared by Kahului residents. From stories of royal fishponds told by Aunty Kekoa Enomoto to cultural insights from Art Vento, Kauwela Bisquera, and Mary Kielty, Dinh created a sweeping composition that speaks to the interconnectedness of land, leadership, and community. “I hope the mural serves as a vibrant reflection of the community’s identity and cultural richness,” said Dinh. “My artistic process is grounded in listening, collaboration, and connection. I begin by learning the stories and histories of the community, which shape both the concept and the visual language of the work.”

Kumu hula and cultural consultant Sissy Lake-Farm reflected on the role of culture bearers in the mural development process: “We helped shape this project by ensuring that the manaʻo shared came from a place of ʻike and kuleana. The result is not just two beautiful artworks—it is a living archive of community, layered with meaning and intention.”

“These murals embody the very purpose of our public art program,” said Kelly White, Public Art Program Manager for the County of Maui and Chair of Maui Public Art Corps. “They tell stories that matter, created by artists who listened deeply to community members who love this place. When we center the voices of our residents in public space design, we all benefit.”

The public is warmly invited to attend the July 7 blessing and unveiling, which will be led by Uncle Bill Garcia, a member of the Royal Order of Kamehameha, and Kākalaleo (Kumu in the art of chant) for Nā Hanona Kūlike O Piʻilani. This will be a chance to meet artist Courtney Holland, learn more about the community-based process that brought the murals to life, and celebrate the role of art in shaping shared spaces.

For more information, visit www.mauipublicart.org/events

This program is made possible through the County of Maui, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and the National Fitness Campaign.