Honolulu wraps buses with local art

Designed by local artist Cory Kamehanaokāla Holt Taum, a new wrap for several public buses on Oʻahu is the inaugural project for the public art initiative Wahi Pana: Storied Places, a series of public art installations that connect places across Oʻahu with indigenous, Native Hawaiian stories. The bus wrap is inspired by the epic of Hiʻiakakapoliopele, according to Mayor Rick Blangiard’s office.

“The unveiling of this bus is a powerful moment for our community,” said Blangiardi in a written statement. “This is the first time TheBus has been transformed into a moving piece of history, bringing storytelling to the streets and making art more accessible to all.” 

Three buses have been wrapped with Taum’s design. Each bus is 40 feet long and will remain in service for the duration of the project, which is three years, according to representatives of the mayor’s office. 

The project is being led by the mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts and funded by a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Public Art Challenge. The art challenge “encourages mayors to partner with artists, elevating the value of including the creative sector when developing solutions to significant urban issues,” according to the philanthropy group’s website. 

Bloomberg Philanthropies was founded by Michael R. Bloomberg, a former three-term mayor of the City of New York.

More than 154 cities across 40 states submitted applications for Bloomberg Philanthropies’ third public art challenge. Eight cities won grants: Atlanta, Georgia; Baltimore, Maryland; Honolulu, Hawaiʻi; Houston, Texas; Orlando, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Phoenix, Arizona; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

On Oʻahu, the funding will support art and storytelling installations with collaborators including the Aupuni Space, Puʻuhonua Society, Hawaiʻi Contemporary, Oʻahu Visitors Bureau, Bishop Museum, and Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, according to a statement from Blangiardi’s office. The line-up of featured artists includes filmmakers, poets, muralists, graphic designers and photographers, among other artists.

Phase 1 of the project includes projects at Fort Street Mall, Fort Derussy and Operation Red Wings Medal of Honor Park, which debut Feb. 19, Feb. 20 and Feb. 21, respectively, according to Blangiardi’s office.

The featured artists include Amber Khan, Brandy Nālani McDougall, Carl F.K. Pao, Imaikalani Kalahele, Jordan Souza, Kaili Chun, Sancia Miala Shiba Nash and Drew K. Broderick, Koloikeao Anthony, Meleanna Aluli Meyer, Rocky Ka ʻiouliokahihikolo ʻEhu Jensen, Solomon Enos and Ualani Davis. Read about the initiative here: wahipana.com.

Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.