Mural artist Efren Rebugio Jr., who has family ties to Paia, was selected for the Paia Sugar Mill mural project. Courtesy photo

Inspired by stories highlighting Paia’s rich history, a new mural by artist Efren Rebugio Jr. will be unveiled during a public ceremony at the Paia Sugar Mill on July 16.

A collaboration between the Maui Public Art Corps and the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, the artwork is the culmination of months of community engagement and storytelling.

The mural draws inspiration from memories shared through Maui Public Art Corps’ Hui Mo’olelo program by Andrea Kealoha, a Native Hawaiian assistant professor of oceanography at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and her father, Paia-born Sheldon Kealoha, weaving their personal stories into a lasting tribute to the community’s heritage.

“We started going on a quest for sites and partnerships, and Andrea Kealoha mentioned the Paia Mill was undergoing a pretty intensive revitalization plan,” explained Kelly White, founder of Maui Public Art Corps. “I started talking to the Maui Advanced Manufacturing Alliance, the nonprofit that occupies the space, and Nohe U’u-Hodgins, who is on the board of directors for Maui Public Art Corps, mentioned the same place.”

The celebration will include a blessing by Kahu Uncle Bill Garcia, cultural guidance from Sissy Lake-Farm and remarks from Rebugio and the Kealoha family, with the event highlighting the historic Paia Mill’s evolving role.

A community panel selected Texas-based, first-generation Filipino American muralist Rebugio for the project.

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.