Blessing of Mural for Sheldon Kealoha at Paia Sugar Mill 10-11:30am July 16

You're Invited to the Blessing and Public Unveiling of a New Mural at the Historic Paia Sugar Mill!

Maui Public Art Corps invites the community to the blessing and public unveiling of a new mural by artist Efren Rebugio Jr at Paia Sugar Mill.

The mural is rooted in the memories shared by Andrea and Sheldon Kealoha through the Hui Mo'olelo program. Their stories reflect Paia as a place where family, the sugarcane fields, and the ocean have long been connected. Inspired by generations of fishing, craftsmanship, and community, the artwork honors the enduring relationship between people and place, and the ancestral shoreline that continues to call its people home.

Artist Statement

“Tide Together” explores the enduring relationships between the people of Pa'ia and the ocean, and how the sea and community continually shape one another over generations. Just as the waters bring change, the people bring traditions, knowledge, and opportunities forward into the future.

Throughout the mural, visual metaphors celebrate this interconnectedness. Braided ti leaves symbolize individual lives woven together in service of something greater. Fish transition between vibrant color and grayscale, acknowledging both what has changed over time and the excitement to envision what lies ahead. The portraits represent the passing of wisdom from one generation to the next, while movement flows through organic forms, reflecting the rhythms of wind, waves, and daily life.

Ultimately, this mural is an invitation to see ourselves as contributors to the whole and to the places we call home. Like the tide, a thriving community is shaped not by any one person, but by many people flowing together.

Maui News: New mural to be unveiled in Paia Sugar Mill

Andrea Kealoha and her father, Sheldon Kealoha, shared memories of Paia that helped inspire a new mural at the Paia Sugar Mill. Courtesy photo

Based in Austin, Rebugio is known for creating vibrant, immersive murals that weave together bold colors, dynamic movement and cultural storytelling. Inspired by local flora, fauna and community narratives, and influenced by his roots in graffiti culture, his work celebrates individuality while fostering connection, belonging and a shared sense of humanity.

“When it comes to mural work, I find joy in the process of collaborating my style with the vision of a client,” Rebugio told CanvasRebel. “In my work, I attempt to tell a story that exemplifies the power we have as individuals. This story is usually told through vibrant colors, spirit animals and fantastical elements.”

White explained that Efren grew up on Oahu and is excited to tap back into his Hawaii upbringing.

“He has family in Paia, so he’s excited to reconnect with those family,” said White. “He’s bringing his family with him over from Austin, and we’re going to do a photo shoot with Andrea and her father because we have some elements of them in the mural.”

Sheldon Kealoha in a Hui Mo’olelo interview recalled as a child, “Paia was just a big village. There were a lot of abandoned buildings and we used to play in the cane fields.” Fishing with friends, he said, they used to sell fish to workers in the camps.

While the Paia mural is being painted by Rebugio, White said they are encouraging members of the public to show up and meet him. “We want people to feel like they can learn directly from the artist,” said White.

Maui Public Art Corps has produced art projects in Wailuku, Makawao, Lanai City, Kahului and Lahaina. They are currently guiding the Lahaina Memorial Project, a community-led initiative to create permanent spaces and archives that honor the lives lost in the 2023 fire, survivors’ experiences and the cultural history of Lahaina.

“We did a Think Space at Lahainaluna (High School), and we have it at Queen Ka’ahumanu Center,” said White. “Then we’re bringing it to New York in September. We were contacted by the Hawaii Club of New York University, asking how they might be involved in our Hui Mo’olelo program, and I’ve been working with the 9/11 Memorial and Museum for the past year. So we’ve put together a panel discussion with 9/11 and NYU and some artists that we’ve done work with.”

Developed through the ongoing Lahaina Memorial Project, Maui Public Art Corps has organized a “Good Grief” art project. “It’s a call to artists to visit the Lahaina Think Space and look at a work of art or something that’s been recorded by some students, and propose a work of public art,” said White. “So that can be a mele or choreography or something in 2D visual.” The deadline is July 18.

The Paia Sugar Mill mural blessing and public unveiling will be held at 10 a.m. July 16 at 300 Baldwin Ave., across from Heritage Hall.

Date: Thursday, July 16th, 2026

Time: 10:00 am to 11:30 am

Cost: Free

Categories: Art / Museums, FREE, Non-Profit Community Event

Paia Sugar Mill located at 300 Baldwin Ave, Paia, HI 96779   in North Maui

  Website: https://www.mamacorpmaui.org/

Contact: Maui Public Art Corps   Website: https://www.mauipublicart.org/kealoha.html