We’ve grown accustomed to seeing murals dominate cityscapes, as building owners around the world partner with artists to beautify and personalize blank spaces, big and small.

While all art pieces add something special to a city or community, some stand out for their sheer size or embedded meaning.

In the case of a new record-breaking mural that was just painted on the island of Oʻahu in Hawaiʻi, both are true.

Kamea Hadar recently completed what has become Hawaiʻi’s tallest mural, measuring about 220 feet tall and spanning 25 stories of a large Honolulu skyscraper. The mural took months of planning, according to Hadar, but only four days to paint.

The size of the mural in itself is a great feat, but the story behind the artwork, its connection to the purpose of the building, and the message the artwork sends to residents of the building make it extra special.

A Message of Hope and Stability to Come

The mural is painted on Nāulu Tower in Honolulu, a new affordable housing project that’s set to help local families struggling to afford the high cost of living in Hawaiʻi.

“It’s going to be Hawaiʻi’s new record-breaking tallest mural,” Hadar told local news station KHON2. “Affordable housing for over 300 families in Hawaiʻi, that just kind of makes it doubly special for me.”

The subject of the artwork is an Iwa bird—a Hawaiian seabird—that has historically been used by the Hawaiian people as a sign of life, safety, and navigation when out on the water.

“I thought that the Iwa bird would be a perfect fit for that because it was used by sailors to navigate,” Hadar told KHON2. “When they’re out at sea, you know that the water and weather is calm, and that’s why they’re flying out there. So, they’re kind of like one of the oceans telltale signs of land, weather, rain… et cetera.”

The idea of painting a bird with such traditional meaning on a building set to house families who may be going through turbulent times is a nice message, signaling that calm waters are just ahead.

Where to Find Hawaiʻi’s Tallest Mural

When visiting Oʻahu, you can find the new mural on the outskirts of Honolulu, in an area called Hālawa.

Here’s the exact address for the building. It’s adjacent to the Pearl Harbor Memorial, so very convenient to check out on your way to or from the National Historic Site.

When visiting, be aware and courteous to traffic—never block a roadway or stop in a dangerous place—and be respectful of local residents.