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August 5, 2009 - Airport Mural Unveiling
For Immediate Release: August 5, 2009
Student artwork part of
“the big picture”
HONOLULU – As part of the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s statehood, a giant mosaic mural featuring artwork by students nationwide was unveiled today at the Honolulu International Airport. Made up of over 8,000 unique images, the mural was created as a lasting tribute to our state. Lt. Governor James R. “Duke” Aiona, Jr. and student artists unveiled the mural at a ceremony.
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To create the mosaic mural, the 50th Anniversary of Hawai‘i Statehood Commission partnered with Project S.N.A.P., a national organization dedicated to helping students develop the skills and insights necessary to become socially responsible leaders and engaged citizens, to create a commemorative mural honoring Hawai‘i’s past, present and future.
![Mural](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20090807234411im_/http://hawaii.gov/statehood/ProjectSNAPMosaicMural.jpg/image_preview)
The mosaic mural is made up of artwork by public, private and charter school students in grades K-12 from Hawai‘i and across the nation depicting what the 50th state means to them. Students were requested to create artwork focusing on the theme: “Commemorating 50 Years of Statehood: What I Love About Hawai‘i.” Components of several individual drawings and paintings were utilized to create the larger mural image. The individual creations are visible as separate images within the body of the larger mosaic. The mural is mounted in the Main Terminal (between Lobby 5 and 6), next to the USS Missouri replica case and fronting the food court.
The mural depicts colorful scenes from across the state. Green mountains with a waterfall, Hawaiian flora and fauna, people playing music and dancing hula, families at the beach, a city skyline, and a brilliant sunset come together in the joyful composition representing what students cherish about Hawai‘i.
“This mosaic, made by the hands of future generations of leaders, will become part of our history as a state,” said Lt. Governor Aiona. “I am inspired to see the unique creations by students from Hawai‘i and across the nation. The student depictions of ‘what they love about Hawai‘i’ are characteristic of the qualities we all adore about our island state.”
“Education has been a central component of the goals and projects to commemorate the 50th anniversary of statehood,” said Kippen de Alba Chu, chair of the Hawai‘i 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission. “By including students from Hawai‘i and throughout the other 49 states, the Commission is able to further the understanding about what is so special about Hawai‘i.”
Project S.N.A.P. was created to give students and their families the opportunity to become 21st Century Green Leaders and speak out on issues that matter to them using art with a message. S.N.A.P. stands for Share, Nurture, Act and Preserve.
Project S.N.A.P. mosaic murals have become part of communities both large and small. Similar mosaic murals have been created for special celebrations including Disneyland’s 50th anniversary and the 50th Anniversary of the Grammy Awards. Project S.N.A.P. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. For more information about Project S.N.A.P., visit www.projectsnap.org.
The 50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission has planned a comprehensive year-long series of events and programs, with a special focus on education, to honor the 50th anniversary of Hawai‘i’s admission to the United States.
The commission’s capstone event, a commemorative conference titled “New Horizons for the Next 50 Years,” will take place August 21, 2009 at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. More information and registration details are available at www.hawaiistatehoodconference.com.
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For more information, contact:
Kippen de Alba Chu
Chair
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Executive Director, ‘Iolani Palace
Phone: (808) 522-0825
Lenny Klompus
Vice Chair – Events
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Senior Advisor – Communications, Office of the Governor
Phone: (808) 586-7708
Deborah Rubyan
Founder and CEO
Project S.N.A.P.
Phone: (248) 799-0805
Tammy Kubo
Vice Chair – Education
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Phone: (808) 741-5220
Corrie Heck
Ex-officio Member, in charge of operations
50th Anniversary of Statehood Commission
Phone: (808) 586-0718