Three years ago, when Principal Suzanne Ochi embarked on creating murals at Waiākeawaena Elementary School to represent annual school themes, she knew who to call on, artist Kellie Miyazu. Miyazu is not only a product of Waiākeawaena Elementary, but it’s also the place where her love for art sparked. She has since pursued a career path in art outreach to inspire others in her community.
When Miyazu was a fifth grader at Waiākea Elementary, Principal Ochi was her teacher and immediately recognized Miyazu’s artistic talent. Ochi submitted one of Miyazu’s artworks for the Young at Art Art exhibition where Miyazu’s piece won an award of recognition. From there, Miyazu’s talent flourished. She has earned various art awards since, leading her to graduate with an art degree from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.
Kūlia i ka nuʻu, “Strive for the highest,” was the first themed mural that brought Miyazu back to her alma mater. Mauna Kea is the highest peak on Hawaiʻi Island, located in the Waiākea ahupuaʻa and was a fitting piece of the mural. In a unique concept, Miyazu brought an uninspired shipping container to life with a 360-degree design that takes the viewer on a hike from mauka to makai as they walk around the mural. Reflective of Waiākeawaena’s ʻahupuaʻa, the school’s menehune mascots, swim and dive in the ocean and swing on lush rainforest vines as the summit of Mauna Kea peeks through.
Last year the mural centered around the school’s May Day theme: Kau ka peʻa — “Set your sail, raise your sail, and navigate the journey.” The large building mural depicts a menehune on a waʻa representing the school voyaging in unison for a shared purpose guided by the constellations. In this visual metaphor, students are schools of fish swimming and learning together in the vast ocean of knowledge.
Miyazu describes her design style as “organic” which is mirrored in the flowing shapes in the ocean and rounded foliage and seaweed. In both murals, she also incorporated the element of the koru (Māori for loop or coil), the spiral design that is the school’s logo and represents continuous growth, renewal, and lifelong learning. The koru are found in the curling fronds of the hāpuʻu fern, which populates the Hilo landscape, and in the celestial night sky above the waʻa. For the cheerful color scheme, Miyazu utilized the school colors of yellow and green and added harmonious hues to create an upbeat, cohesive look. Miyazu ensured the school community — composed of students and staff — added their collective manaʻo to the murals with painting sessions for all.
Miyazu’s journey came full circle in 2024 when she was honored with the Hawaiʻi Island Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Community Service Award, which also included her dedicated service on the murals. She was recognized for a commitment to art education that “is transforming Hawaiʻi’s cultural landscape, empowering keiki with creative opportunities, enriching local schools’ curricula, and inspiring the next generation of local artists.” She is an exemplar of the vision of a public school graduate: Globally Competitive, Locally Committed.
