Campus Murals
Our campus features a rotating series of large-scale outdoor murals created by Hawaiʻi-based and visiting artists. These works reflect indigenous perspectives, natural and cultural histories, and the living stories of our community. Because murals are commissioned and refreshed over time, the artworks on view may differ from those previously exhibited or pictured online.
Bishop Museum’s outdoor murals provide an immersive art experience that bridges traditional culture, creative expression, and indigenous perspectives. Each mural was completed in 2021 in conjunction with the special exhibit POW! WOW! The First Decade: From Hawaiʻi to the World which showcased some of the most notable Hawai‘i-based artists, international street artists, and sculptors.
Huli ka lima i lalo, ola! -- Hands turned downward, life!
by Solomon Enos
Location: Back of Hale Kini, facing the H-1 Freeway
(closer to Ewa)
From the artist:
“(My) completed offering at Bishop Museum for the Hawai‘i Walls event is based on an ‘ōlelo no‘eau (proverb), and inspired by the work being done to protect our kāhuli, endangered tree snails. The laminella sanguinea has a rich red shell that has finger-like stripes, and that informed my palette, and the hands symbolize our collective effort to engage the work needed to be done. Fortunately, there are many ways to indirectly protect these protectors of native forests, and that is to keep doing — and to do more of — all the positive things we already need to do, for our health, our environment, and our communities.
The full ‘ōlelo no‘eau goes, ‘Hands turned up, nothing. Hands turned down, life.’, and it is a reminder that waiting for things to get better isn’t enough, it is the daily effort that counts.”
Tsunami on the Institution by Hueman
Location: Castle Memorial Building
Allison Torneros, known in the art world as “Hueman”, is a multidisciplinary artist based in Oakland, CA. Her distinctly gauzy art style is what she likes to call “etherealism,” a blend of ethereal realism.

“Mālamalama,” August 2021
Artists: Kamea Hadar and Cory Taum
Location: Science Adventure Center
“Entitled ‘Mālamalama,’ which not only references a torch or guiding light, but also the light of the mind. The Museum holds within its walls an immense amount of history and culture, and it is this torch of knowledge that we hope to pass to our next generation.

“Mōʻaukala,” May 2021
Artist: Mark “Devour” Visaya
Location: Front entrance, Bishop Museum

“Ahupuaʻa,” May 2021
Artist: Apexer
Location: Hall of Discovery
APEXER, also known as Ricardo Richey, is a street artist who creates colorful abstract patterns through the use of spray paint.

“Tsunami on the Institution,” May 2021
Artist: Hueman
Location: Castle Memorial Building
Allison Torneros, known in the art world as “Hueman”, is a multidisciplinary artist based in Oakland, CA. Her distinctly gauzy art style is what she likes to call “etherealism,” a blend of ethereal realism.