Kamaile Academy Leads the Leeward Coast’s First Quick Build Mural Project

Across Oʻahu, quick build safety projects have helped transform school zones and neighborhood streets. From improvements along Farrington Highway in Kalihi to projects near Stevenson Middle School in Makiki and others in Waipahu, these initiatives improve pedestrian safety while building community engagement. Now, Kamaile Academy is leading the first quick build mural project on the Leeward Coast.

This milestone effort is made possible through a partnership between the Healthy Eating + Active Living (HEAL) Program, Kamaile Academy, the Hawaiʻi State Department of Health (DOH), and the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS). The project planning team will work closely with students and residents to design a safer environment for walking to and from school.

The project began after Kamaile Academy’s principal raised concerns about student safety along Ala Akau Street. During arrival and dismissal, many students use an unimproved walkway that places them near moving vehicles. In January, the planning team conducted a site visit to observe dismissal from 2:00-2:20 p.m. They noted high volumes of students along the sidewalk and roadway, traffic circulation challenges, and opportunities to calm traffic while improving driver awareness.

Quick build projects are cost-effective, near-term improvements that use paint, signage, and temporary materials to test and implement safety upgrades. At Kamaile Academy, a crosswalk mural will be a key focus. The mural is designed to increase visibility of the crossing area, encourage drivers to slow down, beautify the school zone, and foster student and community ownership of public space.

Beyond aesthetics, crosswalk murals serve as traffic-calming tools, signaling that children regularly use the area and reminding drivers to stay alert. This project aligns with several statewide and local safety initiatives:

• Safe Routes to School (SRTS): Supporting safer walking environments for students.
• Complete Streets: Designing roads that serve pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and transit users of all ages and abilities.
• Vision Zero: Committing to eliminating traffic fatalities and serious injuries through safer system design rather than relying solely on individual behavior.

The next phase will emphasize community engagement and creative collaboration. A local artist will be identified, and students, residents, and Kamaile Academy Safety Officers will participate in listening sessions to shape the mural design. Feedback from the community will guide both the visual design and the long-term success of the project.

Stay tuned for updates as the mural moves from concept to completion. For more information, contact the Oʻahu HEAL Coordinator, Leigh Ann Lopez, at leighann@hiphi.org.