KONA AIRPORT MURAL SPECIAL |
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JUST RELEASED! - You will be the first to see this video!
We are thrilled to announce the release of the BIG ISLAND TELEVISION KONA MURAL SPECIAL created by owner LYMAN MEDEIROS. After four extensive interviews, Lyman tells the mural story from his heart, promising it to be the best story he’s ever produced in his nearly thirty-year career in local television. We are so grateful to Lyman for his beautiful expression of the mural. When he sent the video today, he said:
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Aloha Calley –
Your story is pau. It has touched me unlike any other I’ve ever worked on. It has made me appreciate, at a much deeper level, the culture I grew up with.
The message is simple yet clear, and I hope this story, your story, will inspire many others to "do something now."
See you next year to produce our annual update.
Mahalo nui,
Lyman Medeiros
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Aloha! Mahalo nui for coming behind the scenes with us to take a peek at our work before you relax and see Lyman’s television special about the mural! We’re so excited, He did an amazing job!
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ONE STEP FORWARD,
TWELVE STEPS BACK!
CALLEY IS STARTING OVER AGAIN
TO RE-PAINT ALL THE FACES OF THE KUPUNA
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Once we installed the two stained glass portraits on Aloha Wall 1
(see last newsletter), it became apparent that the faces and perhaps the Kupuna's skin might be too dark, and Uncle Earl's face was fire polished and, therefore, too glossy.
The truth is that travelers must see the Kupuna's expressions for the mural to succeed in its intended impact. They are the focal points of the mural and hold the key to commanding attention and conveying their message to the world.
What are they saying? Their message is simple, timeless, and timely.
The mural is a wake-up call for all of us to do whatever we can, wherever we are, with whatever we have, with as much heart and love as we can, to support life on Earth and restore Nature where we live.
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We had chosen a bronze-tinted glass which appeared perfect in every light and position during construction in Waimea, but on the wall, they were a no-go! Oh no!
Initially stressed because there was no paler shade available (in the world), it took a lot for Calley to stop resisting the setback and accept that she had to buckle down and stay the course.
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That meant starting over again in the most difficult, most labor-intensive aspect of the mural, and returning to her tried and true method; multi-layered glaze painting and firing on heavy clear glass.
With the exception of Keala, that meant Calley had to scrap the remaining 12 completed Kupuna facial portraits. Glaze painting on glass is the most challenging kind of painting there is, bar none. The good news was that we had only thinset and grouted two additional Kupuna. Calley decided to remove those faces from their WEDI backer board segments. It was a hair-raising experience for all concerned.
Below you will see Calley's long-time stained glass partner, Lamar Yoakum, patiently preparing to re-cut the Kupuna's heads, getting the most from every sheet of clear glass. Mahalo nui Lamar!
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The wizard, Julia, found me these micro blades and they have been a lifesaver! They are the teeniest blades I’ve ever seen. |
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AN INVITATION
TO MAJOR DONORS
TO COMPLETE THE WALL 1
LIVING MANDALA
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You are invited to stand with the Hawai'i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (HSFCA) to support the mural. Honor your family and your place by sponsoring any one of the Special Elements shown in white on the Wall photos at the bottom of this newsletter.
As can be seen in two of her previous HSFCA murals, Calley is known for her mandalas, which always carry hidden symbolism, important meaning, and knowledge. Similar perhaps to the above Kukui mandala at the Kipapa Elementary School and the forest mandala at the Pukalani Elementary School, our Aloha Wall 1 is awaiting a donor to fund a beautiful Ulu (breadfruit tree) mandala to complete the first wall.
We are highly motivated to complete Wall 1 as soon as can be.
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CALLEY’S PROPOSED
KOA COURTYARD DESIGN
As KOA Assistant Superintendent Cy Duvauchelle recommended, a no-maintenance substitute for the in-ground planters is essential. Calley has submitted her vision to beautify and bring living Aloha into the KOA Courtyard for travelers to enjoy. The plan will feature a highly polished stone tiled ‘dry reflecting tool’ for the floor treatment to mirror and protect the mural. To make up for the living plants and soil 'lost,' large potted native trees and palms planted with flowing native understories will provide some shade, air purification, and easier maintenance.
In Calley's perfect world, benches, pet stations, yoga areas, two local organic food trucks, and other amenities are envisioned to be included for travelers’ pleasure and well-being.
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DESIGN OF COURTYARD AND 'DRY REFLECTING POOL' |
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MEANWHILE,
BACK AT THE GLASS SHOP
Meanwhile, back at the studio, work continued to complete the initial Kupuna on the Voyagers Wall 5. Here, our sole Canadian volunteer, Sandi Playsted, cut over 500 mylar pattern pieces and assembled them and the glass pieces for Master Navigator Milton Shorty Bertelsmann’s portrait. All the segments are giant glass puzzles that require skill, patience, and perseverance. Sandi worked diligently and brought Shorty to near completion before returning home to Victoria until her return next season. Calley did the final grinding and fitting.
Out of love and respect, it is essential for writer/educator, Pomai Bertelmann, Master Navigator/educator Chadd 'Õnohi Paishon, and Shorty to be joined on the wall by their revered master teacher and guides. Thus, when funding arises, we will create mosaic portraits of Makali'i builder, educator, and founder of Na Kalai Wa'a, the Big Island voyaging society, Clay Bertelmann (1937 ~ 2004), and the renowned celestial wayfinder/master navigator Papa Mau Pialug (1932 ~ 2010) from Satawal, Micronesia,
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There are at least 5 complex projects happening now within the mural:
1. Redoing the faces and hands
2. Wall 2 base, research, full-scale design, drawing, and glass purchase
3. Nene drawing, a separate and unique part of the Wall 2 base
3. Pueo construction
4. Ahu writing edits, marble slab design, refine measurements, materials handling, contractor to cut and engrave the marble
5. Photo Journey newsletter
Here we are starting work on this highly detailed stained glass native Hawaiian owl mosaic, hoping Lamar’s big hands can handle this and his patience is limitless!
We gratefully acknowledge patron Nancy Mueller for funding the Pueo.
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Pueo, the native Hawaiian short-eared owl (Asio flammeus sandwicensis) is a spectacular endemic subspecies of the nearly pandemic short-eared owl. They are, for many Hawaiians, Aumakua, protective ancestral guardian spirits of the family.
Kupuna in Waimea told me that their numbers were so great in times gone by, that they darkened the sky when they flew overhead. Their conservation status is considered imperiled at the subspecies level. They are listed as endangered on Oahu due to light pollution to which they are highly sensitive, habitat loss and degradation, introduced mammal predation, and pesticide use. It seems that little is known of their current status, and sightings of Pueo are much more rare than in days gone by.
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Next, Calley and Julia made a significant purchase of glass for the Pueo, Nēnē, and Wall 2 base glass. Soon we will be able to finalize the glass selections and the color call-out sheet. |
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This is just the outermost border of the Pueo wing. Lamar will need lots of patience on this project! |
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GO TWO STEPS FORWARD.
NOW TAKE A GIANT STEP BACK
As we installed Wall 1, our tile master, Chris Springer, pointed out that the Kupuna on Water Wall 2 were 'floating' and would never work without a stable base supporting them. Creating stand-alone mosaic elements is a classic Calley experimental technique without precedence, so it is now back to the drawing board. You can see the progress in our next newsletter in December 2023. Calley will also be designing bases for all the other 'floating' Kupuna.
Having to add more glass mosaic to ground each portrait is yet another opportunity to learn what works and what needs adjustment as we grow with this organic creation.
In step one, shown below, Calley carefully mapped out the area to be added for their base. From there, guided by the Kupuna Hannah Kihalani Springer and her son, Kekaulike Tomich, she is currently designing and drawing a base ‘cartoon' of native dryland low-lying plants to support the Kupuna on the ground, as they stand in support of fresh water.
Speaking of support, thanks so much to Caroline Landry and her family for stepping up to fund the Water Wall 2 Base. We are forever grateful to our growing community of collaborators and supporters.
First, find peace
Hannah Kihalani Springer
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Hawai’i’s state bird, Nēnē (nay-nay) or Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis) is the rarest goose in the world. I love them! Brought back from the edge of extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and predation by mongoose, cats, and pigs, there were only 30 Nēnē left by 1952. Captive breeding and re-introduction have proven successful. t’s status currently is Endangered Endemic (exists nowhere else in the world) and Nēnē are still among the rarest waterfowl in the world. They are noted in the Kumulipo (Hawaiian creation chant) as guardian spirits of the land.
May they flourish and bless the land.
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PRE-GROUTING THE LAVA BASEBOARD AND CULTURAL STORYBOARD FRAMES
Calley’s right-hand man, son Noa Eads, mixes the raven-colored grout. He then taught our neighborhood volunteer team how to grout the lava stones he had routed for the ahu frames to encase and protect the marble storyboards.
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IMPORTANT STORIES
LITERALLY ETCHED IN STONE
Calley’s original design featured her hand lettering the stories for the AHU IKE HONUA (Wisdom of the Earth). Aside from sitting on concrete in the heat for countless hours (which she was willing to do), it became clear that personally maintaining hand-crafted lettering and the background was a poor solution. Now, take one step forward and one giant step back.
Since we were already using local lava to frame the stories, sourcing the right material to permanently engrave involved a lot of exploration. We were delighted when scout Julia found just the right number of large slabs of Italian Ivory Travertine marble locally at Bella Pietra in Kona. If the stone couldn't be local, at least it reflected Calley’s Italian roots!
As recommended by Teva at Bella Pietra, the slabs will be precision cut and fit by Jose Cedillos of Cedillos Tile Marble and Granite in Kawaihae.
Grazie Teva! Gracias Jose!
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Sourcing the perfect material to engrave the storyboards, we had a sample of the engraving done on our first choice, a gray-white marble, which didn’t work. Calley wanted more warmth in the marble and a paler more milk chocolate for the lettering, so we were delighted to find this Italian Ivory Travertine. |
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BE A PART OF THE FLOW!
THIN BLUE LINE ~
WATER IS LIFE.
SUPPORT THE KONA AIRPORT
MĀLAMA ‘ĀINA MURAL PROJECT
WITH WRITING ON THE WALL.
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A 321' long 'river of life' runs through the mural, made from recycled, fired blue sake bottle plaques from Waimea's Moa Kitchen. If you haven't dined there yet, you're missing out. Arigato Aki!
We will engrave the words you request. Your favorite quote, prayers for life, or your river, lake, forest, sacred place, or people can be honored, adding to the mana of the mural.
From Hawai’i Astronaut Ellison Onizuka’s perspective, the living thin film of life called the Biosphere in which we live appears as a very Thin Blue Line around our planet.
Your tax-deductible donation for individual plaques begins at $100/each. Higher contributions are welcome!
TO THE THIN BLUE LINE
PLEASE CONTACT CALLEY (808) 987-7003
or JULIA (808) 557-0363
or click on the links above
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Above is a sample of the letter that you can present with your gift certificates for plaques on The Thin Blue Line. Once your people
receive their gift, they can send us their unique inscription to be engraved on their plaque.
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These are sake bottles donated by Waimea restaurant, Moa Kitchen, as they are placed in the kiln to melt. When you patronize Moa Kitchen, (highly recommended) please keep in mind that we need the large sake bottles, as the small ones shown above proved unworkable. Cheers! |
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The Kupuna directed that the walls be connected across the columns by the element of water. |
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AND FINALLY,
THE WALLS AS THEY APPEAR TODAY
AND THE LONG-PROMISED VIDEO
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Thank you to photographer, Thomas Holguin. |
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KONA AIRPORT MURAL SPECIAL |
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BE A PART OF THE FLOW!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST! By following our photo journeys once or twice a year, you are a part of the flow.
- If you have wisdom or skills to share, please let us know.
- If you know someone who would enjoy following us, let them know.
- If you know a journalist who’d like to follow this story, call them.
- If you know a company or foundation that might like to sponsor an element or wall through our non-profit, please contact us.
Calley - (808) 987-7003
Julia - (808) 557-0363
Who do you know who would love to hear about this project?
Please forward this to them!
If a picture is worth a thousand,
you just read 55,000 words!
Designed and produced with love and aloha by
Calley O'Neill and Julia Fairchild
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Calley teaches this work as well as expresses it in art. When in Hawai'i, don't miss her Full Body Elixir as she takes you on a journey through the stories to peace and happiness. Check out the possibilities for practicing with Calley here.
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KOA AIRPORT MURAL OHANA
So many hands have worked on this mural, thus far, and here they are! MAHALO A NUI LOA!
OUR CORE TEAM:
CALLEY O’NEILL
JULIA FAIRCHILD
NOA EADS
LAMAR YOAKUM
JEREMIAH HOLQUIN
CHRIS SPRINGER
We gratefully acknowledge and thank:
The HAWAI’I STATE FOUNDATION ON CULTURE AND THE ARTS. Calley’s extraordinary Art Advisory Committee, and Project Manager, Aaron Ackerman.
ELLISON ONIZUKA KONA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT KEAHOLE’s LEADERS OPERATIONS and SECURITY TEAM: Superintendent, Chauncey Wong Yuen, Assistant Superintendent, Cy Duvauchelle and their remarkable staff. Mahalo David Bell, Dexter Espinueva, Lahela Lau, Paul Knoll, and team for your support.
Mahalo nui to OUR BELOVED MURAL KUPUNA, those on and behind the wall guiding the mural to inspire us to live in harmony with nature and each other.
And thank you to our COMMUNITY COLLABORATORS thus far:
ALEX ECKHART
ALEXA RUSSELL
AMY O’MEARA
ATTICUS HIGGINS
BUCKMAN COE
BULLSEYE GLASS, KYLEA BROWN
ELI O’MEARA
ANNABELLE URIBE
(the late) BEVERLY ARNTZEN
BRYAN GAZAUI
DINA ALOHA
DEB THOMSPON
DOMINIC HILMAN
ELIZABETH ROSE
‘IWALANI MC CALLA
JAMIE GOMER
JAZMIN HICKS
JEFF and JAKE CLOSS
JEREMIAH HOLQUIN
JOE AND ERIN CAVALETTO
KASEY GRANT
KATHLEEN THOENE
KEN CANNATA
LEE GLENNAN MOTTER
LEIANNA and BRYAN GAZAUI
MARC BOTTICELLI
MICHAEL HESS
MIKE BURNETT, TNC
MOA KITCHEN
THE amazing NAN TEAM
NORTHWEST ART GLASS,
Seattle: Owner, Richard Mesner,
Matt and Missy Laitala, Joe and crew
OLIVER ZEICHNER
PEACH GODDARD
RACHEL WALKER
REDWING KEYSAR
SANDI PLAYSTED
SHELLEY REAGAN
THOMAS HOLQUIN
VEENA HOPSON
VERONIKA BAJWA
VIRGIL MACY, WEST HAWAI’I CONCRETE
YASI ZEICHNER
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