Ka Pae 'Aina o Hawaii Nei mural project nears completion for World Oceans Day

The 80-foot ceramic mosaic mural depicting the Hawaiian archipelago will be installed at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge next month.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 10:05am

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A highly stylized, silkscreen-inspired illustration of a single ceramic tile from the Ka Pae 'Aina o Hawaii Nei mural, featuring bold, neon-bright colors and heavy black outlines that transform the everyday material into a modern pop art piece.The vibrant, community-created Ka Pae 'Aina o Hawaii Nei mural will soon grace the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, inspiring visitors with its celebration of Hawaii's natural interconnectedness.Lawai Today

Artist Kat Ho and a team of volunteers are in the final stages of completing a large-scale ceramic mural project called Ka Pae 'Aina o Hawaii Nei, which will be installed at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge in time for World Oceans Day on June 8. The 80-foot mural depicts the Hawaiian archipelago from Kure Atoll to the Big Island, showcasing the islands' shared volcanic origins.

Why it matters

The community-created mural project aims to foster a stronger understanding and connection between visitors and Hawaii's natural environment. As one of the most-visited wildlife refuges in the country, the completed mural will serve as an educational resource and source of inspiration for all who visit Kilauea Point.

The details

After overcoming challenges in creating the 16 individual 4-foot by 5-foot panels that make up the 80-foot mural, artist Kat Ho and the Garden Island Arts Council are in the final stages of applying grout to the last panel. Once installed on an existing 100-foot cement retaining wall, the completed mural will create a continuous design featuring the foundational connection across the island chain from a single volcanic 'hot spot' source.

  • The team is applying grout to the last panel this month.
  • The panels will be installed at Kilauea Point in May.
  • There will be a private blessing by Kumu Kehaulani Kekua before the public unveiling.
  • The mural is scheduled to be ready for public viewing by World Oceans Day on June 8, 2026.

The players

Kat Ho

The artist leading the Ka Pae 'Aina o Hawaii Nei ceramic mural project.

Garden Island Arts Council

The organization overseeing the community-created mural project under their umbrella.

Kumu Kehaulani Kekua

The cultural practitioner who will perform a private blessing of the mural before its public unveiling.

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

The location where the 80-foot mural will be installed, one of the most-visited refuges in the country.

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What they’re saying

“We're applying grout to the last panel. This means that we'll start installing the panels in Kilauea in May. There'll be a private blessing by Kumu Kehaulani Kekua, and the mural should be ready for public viewing by World Oceans Day on June 8.”

— Kat Ho, Artist

What’s next

The completed mural will be installed at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge in May 2026, followed by a private blessing ceremony before the public unveiling on World Oceans Day, June 8, 2026.

The takeaway

This community-created mural project aims to foster a stronger connection between visitors and Hawaii's natural environment, serving as an educational resource and source of inspiration at one of the country's most-visited wildlife refuges.