The Asian reporter., May 01, 2017, Page Page 12, Image 12

Page 12 n THE ASIAN REPORTER
Asian Heritage Issue
May 1, 2017
Bridging mural-making and indigenous traditions
Mele Murals
Pacific Heartbeat
airs Tuesdays in May at 11:00pm
on Oregon Public Broadcasting.
Directed by Tadashi Nakamura
Airing May 2 at 11:00pm
on Oregon Public Broadcasting
Mele Murals is the first
episode of season six of
Pacific Heartbeat, an anthology
series that provides viewers with a
glimpse of the real Pacific — its
people, cultures, and contemporary
issues. The series features a
diverse array of programs that will
draw viewers into the heart and
soul of Pacific Island culture.
w
Mele Murals
May 2, 11:00pm
By Maileen Hamto
The Asian Reporter
hat happens when graffiti
artists — steeped in street
knowledge and hip-hop culture
— come to paradise to make art with an
indigenous community? The documentary,
Mele Murals, follows the journey of two
renowned street artists and their
collaboration with youth from a rural
Hawai‘ian town to catalyze the comm-
unity’s vision of their identity as a people.
The film conjoins the narratives of
Estria Miyashiro and John “Prime” Hina,
artists who have taken different paths to
become masters of street art. Estria, who
left Hawai‘i to study art in San Francisco,
established himself as a street artist on the
mainland. He returned to Hawai‘i to
reconnect with his Japanese and Native
Hawai‘ian roots. A native of Honolulu,
Prime was well known in the Big Island’s
underground graffiti scene before starting
a family. He returned to “writing” (the art
of graffiti) years later, by starting to work
with young people who want to develop
their skills.
Estria and Prime were invited to lead a
public art project by indigenous charter
school teacher Kanoa Castro in the rural
community of Waimea. Amid a resurgence
of interest in Native Hawai‘ian culture,
language, and traditions, the charter
schools connect young people with
pre-colonial stories, songs, chants, and
W
GRAFFITI & CULTURE. Mele Murals, a documentary about the transformative power of art through the
unlikely union of graffiti and ancient Hawai‘ian culture, follows two renowned street artists — Estria Miyashiro
(a.k.a. Estria) and John Hina (a.k.a. Prime) — a group of Native Hawai‘ian youth, and the rural community of
Waimea. Through their stories, the film shows how public art and Native Hawai‘ian traditions affect the artists,
students, and community. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Islanders in Communications)
customs. The town of fewer than 10,000
people is home to Mauna Kea, a volcano
that rises almost 14,000 feet. It is the
highest peak in Hawai‘i and is known as
the realm of the “Snow Goddess.”
As the artists delve deeper and listen
intently to the narratives of the youth and
elders, the two discover the contrasts
between their own understanding, experi-
ences, and interpretations of Hawai‘i and
indigenous beliefs and the traditions
practiced by the Waimea community.
The transformative process instructs
Estria and Prime about their duty and
responsibility
to
preserve
Native
Hawai‘ian traditions, as they reflect upon
and rediscover their own identities.
“When I lived in California, it was me by
myself. If I messed up, it was my mistake.
If I had success, it was my success,” Estria
said. “But coming here and learning about
our culture … I don’t want to let these
people down.”
Reconciling the mores of contemporary
street art with indigenous traditions was
challenging for both men, especially for
Estria. Collating the community’s ideas in
Continued on page 16
Visions in the Dark:
The Life of Pinky Thompson
May 9, 11:00pm
Visions in the Dark tells
a story of pain and promise,
of challenge and triumph,
and a story of leadership.
Ever the Land
May 16, 11:00pm
Ever the Land explores the
sublime bond between
the people of New Zealand
and their land.
Next Goal Wins
May 23, 11:00pm
Next Goal Wins is a hilarious and
moving exploration of what it really
means to be a winner in life, after
suffering a world record 0-31 defeat
and being dubbed the worst football
(soccer) team on the planet.
“As a woman engineer, I appreciate that
the Port is looking at equity. And, as a
multi-racial immigrant, addressing
diversity and equality is something
I find personally important.”
At the Port of Portland, we believe in partnerships – with
our people and with our community. Right now, our culture
team members are working together to create a more
equitable and inclusive Port, one that’s representative of the
city we live in and love. Whether you’re seeking employment
or contracting opportunities, join us in creating a future with
fair treatment and equitable access to opportunity for all.
We’re more than a Port,
we’re your partner.
Isabella Bejarano Engineering Project Manager
www.portofportland.com