School: Kamaile Academy Public Charter School
Grade Level: Grades 7-12
Teacher: Alan Guillen Gonzalez and Anna Lane
Driving Question: How can we, as artists, use art to celebrate our community and each other in order to inspire others towards change?
What did the students DO?
This dynamic Arts & Crafts hui at Kamaile Academy Public Charter School art-focused group is dedicated to exploring creativity through multiple mediums while embracing sustainability and cultural expression. Throughout the year, haumāna have engaged in hands-on projects that incorporate upcycling, heritage-based storytelling, and community collaboration. From designing costumes for HawaiiCon to completing PBS filming for their E Ala project, students blended artistry with environmental awareness and aloha ʻāina. Their journey reflects a commitment to innovation, mālama honua (caring for the Earth), and artistic growth.
- Cultural Engagement: Students honored cultural traditions by designing and assembling a vibrant Día de los Muertos altar, incorporating original artwork that reflected personal and ancestral connections. A huakaʻi to Kakaʻako allowed them to tour large-scale street murals alongside local artists Prime and Kukui, deepening their understanding of place-based art and the role of visual storytelling in community identity.
- Sustainable Artistic Projects: Throughout the semester, students engaged in daily art activities using upcycled and leftover materials, embracing the value of sustainability and environmental mindfulness. They explored various mediums and techniques—including piñata-making, papier-mâché, and block printing—to express themselves while reducing waste.
- Media & Storytelling: Students filmed weekly segments at E Ala as part of a student-led PBS production, documenting their reflections and creative processes. The culminating project was successfully completed and aired, providing students with a platform to share their journey of cultural and artistic exploration with a wider audience.
- Creative Expression & Design: Youth expressed their individuality by designing fashion pieces for HawaiʻiCon using thrifted clothing and personal items, showcasing both resourcefulness and personal flair. In addition, students transformed their own artwork into wearable button pins, giving physical form to their creativity and self-identity.
- Community Involvement: As part of their culminating experience, students participated in HawaiʻiCon, where they engaged with local artists and creatives, shared their projects, and reflected on their growth. This event provided valuable opportunities to connect their learning to the broader community and celebrate their artistic achievements.
This program provided a rich blend of visual art, cultural learning, and environmental consciousness. Through projects rooted in creativity and sustainability, haumāna explored their identities, honed their technical skills, and discovered new ways to share their stories. From PBS production to convention participation, students experienced the value of kuleana (responsibility), pilina (relationships), and hoʻoulu (growth) in real-world settings. Their commitment to using recycled materials and engaging with the community reflects a deepening sense of mālama ʻāina and artistic integrity—leaving a legacy of innovation and aloha.
