HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Local artists will help tell the stories of Oahu’s historical and cultural landmarks through a new public art initiative launching next year.

“Wahi Pana: Storied Places” will explore the layered and profound histories of Oahu’s aina, or land, to inspire respect and provide educational experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The initiative will feature 12 artists and 11 sites across the island, such as Waimea Valley, Haleiwa Beach Park and Hanauma Bay.

“The art will be expressed through various forms of storytelling, including sculpture, video, photography, poetry, painting, and mele,” said Kaʻili Trask O’Connell, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts. “By deepening historical and cultural awareness with residents and visitors, the initiative encourages more meaningful engagement with Hawaii’s aina and its people.”

Cory Kamehanaokalā Holt Taum will create vinyl bus wraps for selected city buses that will depict the journey of Hiiaka, Pele’s youngest sister.

“This project is a chance for us as artists to connect with our communities and to bring the spirit of each wahi pana, each storied place to life,” he said.

Carl F.K. Pao will create tiled murals at Fort Street Mall that transform Hawaiian into a visual language.

Brandy Nālani McDougall, 2023–2025 Hawaii State Poet Laureate, will compose poetry relating to the presence and perception of Leahi, or Diamond Head.

The project, supported by a $1 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, will begin installations in February 2025 and will run through March 2028.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

A jury in Hawaii has found a Navy wife guilty of manslaughter in connection with the overdose death of a 7-month-old baby in military housing, according to local news reports.

Dixie Denise Villa is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 26, according to a report from Hawaii News Now. Abigail Lobisch was found dead Feb. 24, 2019, in Villa’s house at Aliamanu Military Reservation in Hawaii, where Villa was babysitting her.

An overdose of antihistamine was determined to be the cause of Abigail Lobisch’s death, according to court documents.

The trial, which began Nov. 4, was held in Hawaii’s civilian court system.

In September 2019, in the wake of the baby’s death, the Defense Department’s personnel chief called for officials to investigate reports of unauthorized daycare operations on installations. James Stewart, then-acting under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness, said officials should take appropriate steps to shut down these unauthorized operations.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Honolulu Ocean Safety says high winds kept rescue crews busy on the water Saturday, officials said.

Ocean Safety said around 1 p.m. Saturday, two paddle boarders had to be rescued in Waikiki after strong winds pushed them out to sea.

Lifeguards rescued both and brought them to shore unhurt.

Then, just before 3 p.m., two people were kite foiling off Waimea Bay when winds pushed them about three miles offshore.

A woman was rescued via jet ski, and a man could return to land on his own.

No reports of any injuries.

Ocean Safety reminds beach-goers to check the latest weather conditions before going into the ocean.

Copyright 2024 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.