Foreign leaders, journalists and other visitors to the Hawai‘i Convention Center this week are sure to notice a new mural near the escalators.

The 64-foot-long artwork, which measures 10 feet high, was a collaboration of five Native Hawaiian artists and students from seven schools in anticipation of this week’s Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation gathering at the center.

The artists — Meleanna Meyer, Solomon Enos, Kahi Ching, Harinani Orme and Al Lagunero — worked around the clock to complete the mural in less than a week last month while mentoring the student participants.

"It was amazing," Meyer said. "We try to model for the children that collective work is possible, and in six days this magic happened. It’s an epic, symphonic piece of work."

The mural is meant to be a visual expression of an aloha-based economy rooted in indigenous values, and the artists hope it will be a catalyst for a larger discussion, she said.

The mural is rich with abstract symbols representing the four elements of earth, water, wind and fire, as well as the connection between humans and nature.

"The unifying theme really has to do with a consciousness of native wisdom distilled through a conversation about humanity and a valuing of traditions that honor relationships and, most importantly, a currency of care and commodity of sharing," Meyer said.

To take it all in, she recommends starting in the middle with an orb of light, which she described as a "portal," and moving out toward the edges. On the left side of the mural there is an expanse of cannons representing Earth’s timeless pinnacles, and on the right, rivulets of water representing the seas.

Stretching from one end to the other across the top is an auamo, or carrying stick typically placed over the shoulders for balance. It represents the human responsibility of caring for papa honua (Mother Earth) and all her resources, including the seas and the skies, Meyer said.

The mural is acrylic paint on plywood in a palette of earth colors, mostly oranges, browns, yellows and reds, with touches of blue and green.

There are human figures in the mural, representing indigenous peoples. Multilayered shapes and swirls are reminiscent of the curvatures of the earth, sun and moon.

Look closer and you might make out details such as a fishing net, a kalo (taro) leaf and the repeated patterns of a petroglyph stenciled along the left corner border.

Before starting to paint, the artists spent six months researching indigenous cultures and sketching. Students from Kamakau Public Charter School and Roosevelt, Moanalua, Kapolei and Pearl City high schools participated in the entire process, along with students from Anuenue and Kamehameha schools.

The mural, referred to as the "Hawaii Kakou Mural" until it gets an official Hawaiian title, was funded by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs as a permanent installation at the convention center.

Though it’s not directly tied to the APEC conference, the artists hope it will have an impact on the dignitaries coming here from around the world, as well as the local community.

Students involved in the project are reaching out to the community through social media, with YouTube videos documenting the progress on the mural and its dedication. Hawaii Kakou is also on Facebook and Twitter.

ON THE NET
» Look for YouTube videos posted by hawaiikakoumural. Hawaii Kakou is also on Facebook and Twitter as @hawaiikakou.