Hawaii artist on global mission completes 47th wave mural in Japan

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii artist is nearly halfway through his mission to paint 101 murals of waves across the globe.

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Hilton Alves, who is from Brazil, recently completed his 47th wave mural at Ohara Beach in Chiba, Japan.

The 8-by-20-foot mural depicts a vibrant sunrise in Waikiki with a view of Diamond Head from the perspective of a surfer inside a barrel.

The mural was a donation to the Surf Jam Festival, an annual event held July 18–21 in Chiba to promote surf culture, art, and music.

Invited by event partner Waveline Collective, a nonprofit based on Oahu’s North Shore, Alves and his mural became the first live painting event in the festival’s history.

“I see all these kids watching and I usually say hi, and then they just get so happy, and I feel like that inspires me to do such a good job,” he said.

Alves says wave theme aside, he doesn’t have a game plan. Instead, he lets each community shape the final piece, ensuring no two waves are the same.

“It’s more fun when I go without a sketch. I feel the vibe, I see the community needs for artwork, and I kind of decide at the moment,” said Alves. “Whatever the community likes more, I try to incorporate onto the wall. It’s a surprise for me as much as a surprise for them.”

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Alves hasn’t determined where his 48th mural will be.

“I have friends asking to do in Australia, Portugal. I might go to China in September,” he said. “I want to go to places I can actually enjoy the ocean too.”

While the next mural could take him anywhere, Alves says there is a special mural he would like to revisit soon.

The very first of Alves’ 101 waves stands five stories high and is located in Kalihi. Painted in 2013, Alves thinks it’s time to give the old mural a makeover.

“I feel like it’s almost like it became part of Waiakamilo Road,” said Alves. “I wanna give back and donate my time and my labor and my gift again and touch it up and see if it lasts another 10 to 15 years.”

No matter where his next project takes him, Alves hopes to bring the love of art and the ocean along with him.

“I want people to see the waves and the ocean in many cities — as many cities I can reach — and I want them to feel connected to the ocean as I am,” said Alves.

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Learn more about Alves’ 101 Perfect Waves project here.