Mahalo for supporting Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Enjoy this free story!
Despite the initial threat of a hurricane bringing wind and rain, marine wildlife artist Wyland finished restoring a whale mural late Thursday afternoon that originally was dedicated 23 years ago by the late actor Pat Morita.
Wyland refurbished most of the mural Wednesday and added the finishing touches Thursday. By then Hurricane Hector already had passed the isles on a westward track.
Named “Earth Day
Hawaii,” the 16-story mural at the Royal Aloha condominiums was the 67th of
100 “Whaling Walls” Wyland painted as part of a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about the importance of ocean conservation for marine animals. It was first completed on Earth Day in 1995 and signed by Morita, who played Mr.
Miyagi in “The Karate Kid.”
“There are just some people here that are unforgettable, and Pat was one of them,” Wyland said. “He was just a real character, beautiful for his family and friends. He really represented the aloha spirit.”
The two became lifelong friends after meeting at
Wyland’s gallery in Waikiki during the early ’90s, he said.
While the wall, visible from Kalakaua Avenue, held up pretty well, it was time to refurbish it.
Wyland began on Wednesday repainting the mural featuring a mother and its calf, along with a breaching whale above them against a deep blue ocean and sky.
The newly refurbished mural features some new
elements, including an iwa bird flying among the clouds in the right-hand corner and profile of Diamond Head on the left, which were contributions from artists Walfrido Garcia and Hilton Alves. The shades of blue are deeper, with the rippled water reflecting the azure sky scattered with distant clouds.
A green sea turtle swimming at the surface is still visible. A rainbow that was part of the original mural did not become part of the new one.
“That’s how rainbows are,” said Wyland. “They come and go, and sometimes the rainbow appears and sometimes it disappears.”
Wyland made sure, however, to keep Morita’s original signature intact.
Upon finishing Thursday, Wyland said he looked up at the sky and said, “This one’s for you, Pat.”
73
