Volunteers paint Kailua street mural honoring beloved teacher, promoting safety

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Volunteers painted a street mural in Kailua, aiming to make the area around Kaʻelepulu Elementary School brighter and safer.

Read more ‘Bows survive hard-fought 5-set battle against Iowa State

Drivers tend to speed down Keolu Drive, which has been the scene of several motor vehicle crashes, including a fatal crash that killed a former teacher known as “Mama Jen.”

Third and fourth-graders at Kaelepulu completed a project this summer honoring Mama Jen and encouraged drivers to slow down on Keolu Drive and Akiohala Street.

A rainbow was added in her honor.

Kaʻelepulu teacher Sara Wong said the mural is bright, simple and represents safety while also sharing the moʻolelo of Kailua.

Read more DLNR begins reopening select Kauai lands after Hurricane Lowell

“Bright and simple is the way to go for these street murals, so we picked bright colors that will hopefully have people slow down to appreciate the artwork but not so distracting that it then takes away from safety as well, representing that moʻolelo of Kailua within the bright art to just bring that sense of community but also that safety,” she said.

The designs focus on the Koʻolau Mountains and the moʻo, honu, and aeʻo.

On Sunday, the group plans to continue working on the mural at the intersection of Keolu Drive and Akiohala Street.

Read more Registration opens for Hawaii LifeSmarts student competition