Maui mural highlights underage drinking, drug use prevention

KAHULUI (HawaiiNewsNow) – A new mural at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui highlights ongoing efforts to stop underage drinking.

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The more than 1,000 square foot project was unveiled in Kahului Wednesday afternoon.

A total of 75 six to 17-year-olds worked on it.

It’s part of a statewide effort called the “Drive With Aloha Campaign” led by the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Keep It Flowing Media.

“This is our first elementary grade level, and they’re amazing, very talented and very smart with so many impressive answers about impaired driving prevention,” said Keep It Flowing Media Program Director Ken Nishimura.

Organizers say it is much more than an art project, it is to take a stand against underage drinking and prevent impaired-driving crashes and fatalities on Maui.

“The more that we can get it in the kids’ heads now and prepare them for the future and keep them safe is our end goal. We’re here to create a safe place for the youth to come. So, if we can teach them anything we can about drunk driving, not drinking and driving, and how we can prevent anything in the future is a big step for us,” said Kacy Schwed, Boys & Girls Clubs of Maui Director of Operations.

This is the 22nd mural organizers completed in Hawaii.

They said they put in the most time into this one, at least 120 hours. They used approximately 30 gallons of paint.

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“They want to prevent already their friends and family from not drinking and driving and make a difference already in the community,” Schwed said.

Nishimura said the message is timely.

“Congratulations to the class of 2026. We wish you well,” he said. “We’re here doing our job to make sure that the roads are safe for you all. And for the community, please be aware, this is graduation season. We want every youth to have a long and happy life.”

Parents who lost their children to underage impaired drivers came to speak to the youth while they were completing the project.

Organizers said it was emotional and impactful.

“We’ve been able to talk to the youth about this matter, and they’ve shared that some of them even had experienced crashes and deaths. So, to be able to talk a little further with them and to get insight, it was very, very heartfelt,” Nishimura said.

The next mural on Maui is slated for Samuel E. Kalama Intermediate School in Makawao in November.

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