Page 6 - MidWeek East - Oct 13, 2021

6
OCTOBER 13, 2021
For years, Pu‘u O Kaimukī Mini Park on Koko Head Av- enue has been known as Christmas Tree Park. But, thanks to the mural designs of local artist Solomon Enos, the park has a whole new identity with large, bold paintings that depict its im- portance in Hawaiian cul- ture.
BY MARYANNE LONG
Enos’ Murals Shine At Pu‘u O Kaimukī Mini Park
“A project that involves the community directly is 1,000 times more priceless. Having the community input early on and in the final stag- es of painting gives a sense of ownership and pride of
“Centuries past, it was a heiau but destroyed about 100 years ago. During World War II, there were signaling towers on this hillside. It lat- er became a water reservoir and was known for a while as Telegraph Hill. Defunct for years, it became a City &
(Above, left) Artist Solomon Enos and 808 Cleanups co-founder and executive director Michael Loftin pose in front of the mural painted at Pu‘u O Kaimukī Mini Park. The community gathered to help paint the mural (above, center) that featured different kapa designs on each side of the structure (facing page). PHOTOS COURTESY MARYANNE LONG AND SOLOMON ENOS
place,” says Enos.
Michael Loftin, co-found-
munity came out and cleared the area. Our volunteers re- placed collapsed stones us- ing the Hawaiian dry stack- ing method, and we continue to replace plants with what was here botanically, such as ‘ilima native to mountainous dry areas.”
er and executive director of 808 Cleanups, gave me a brief history of the park.
“Pu‘u O Kaimukī has a storied past, beginning as a volcanic remnant from an eruption nearly a half-mil- lion years ago,” he says.
To beautify a structure at the park leased to AT&T for its communications anten- nae, Loftin invited Enos to submit designs for the walls. After ample community in- put, four designs were se- lected and plans were made to have a community paint- ing project to complete the
County of Honolulu park in the early 1990s.”
Cleanups took on the com- munity’s challenge to make the park useable.
invasion everywhere on the site, covering stonewalls, full-grown cactus bushes
Loftin went on to describe what he saw when 808
“There was a haole koa and pathways, etc. The com-
Hawaii’s Most Trusted Movers Since 1968
We care. We’re here.
No room in quarantine? Call us for your storage needs. 100% Employee Owned
808.456.4200 • info@mdyerglobal.com
98-054 Kuleana Road, Pearl City
Now Hiring!
Estate Planning Wills, Trusts, Probate Property Transfer & Gifting
Call for both
Ala Moana office & Pearlridge/Aiea office
487-WILL (9455) Visit www.georgenam.com
PACKING MATERIALS FOR SALE!