Thousands of travelers pass through Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport every day, but few may realize the vibrant mural in Lobby Four welcoming them was created by a recent University of Hawaiʻi at 惭ā苍辞补 graduate balancing double majors, cheerleading and a dream project years in the making.
Just weeks after graduating with degrees in and , (CALL) graduate Rachel Radona is already leaving her mark on Hawaiʻi through a large-scale mural installation celebrating aloha, community and island life.
“It was definitely an ‘oh my gosh’ moment,” Radona said. “This is crazy.”
The opportunity came after Radona completed one of her early mural projects at the 糖心Vlog官方 Federal Credit Union branch in Kapolei. Soon after, she received a call about a possible airport mural project from people who had been following her work.
Although several artists were considered through a selective process, Radona’s vision stood out. Her mural centers around plumeria flowers, symbolizing Hawaiʻi’s welcoming spirit and lei-giving tradition.
“The whole lobby theme was about flowers and aloha,” she said. “People associate plumeria with giving and receiving lei, and that’s what the airport is all about.”
Aloha through art
Known for her graffiti-style art, Radona adapted her style to fit the project’s vibrant Hawaiian aesthetic while still bringing her own creative vision to life.
“I really wanted to embrace the feeling of getting a fresh lei,” she said. “The flowers are just so bright, and you can vividly smell everything and feel all of the aloha and mālama (care) that was put into making it.”
While completing the mural, Radona balanced the project alongside two majors and 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补 cheerleading. Still, she said the experience never felt like work.
“It honestly wasn’t that challenging when you love what you’re doing,” she said.
Now, as thousands of travelers pass through the airport, Radona hopes the mural reminds people that Hawaiʻi’s true beauty comes from its people.
— by Willow Hutchison
