Olomana School Hawai’i Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) and Keep It Flowing LLC have partnered since 2018 to provide art and entrepreneur workshops for the students. Our model included the application of basic typography approaches to create custom style lettering and sharing entrepreneurial opportunities using drop ship and fulfillment platforms. The student’s commitment and artwork were truly amazing and within each class module there was almost a 100% engagement. Olomana School’s faculty and staff were sharing positive comments made by the students as well as their own testimonials on how effective our programming impacted the youth. The possibilities of a full-scale mural program were in discussion and development until Covid-19 pandemic arose and the project had to be put on hold.
In the Fall of 2021, we reignited our efforts and focus to plan for our full-scale mural program for a 2022 start date that we titled the Lōkahi Mural Program (LMP). The goal of the mural program was to unite, educate and build leadership values within the youth by utilizing art as a vehicle to uplift, cultivate and inspire. The outcome of the project was to complete a collaborative mural for all students and their families who pass through our doors and provide hope for a brighter and hopeful future. The learning process enabled Olomana School HYCF students to enhance their social and emotional skills so they can be successful in their future endeavors and to also serve as a way for our students to give back to the community. Within our semester long program, students learned numerous art techniques and leadership skills through guest speaker’s presentations, work assignments,and live demonstrations which was applied throughout the duration of the project. Utilizing art and creativity as an approach to learning will also develop confidence and discipline, which can be applied to the pursuit of enrolling into college, career aspirations and non-traditional career paths through our pedagogical experience.
The theme of the collaborative mural was to create a fusion between a collage of positive affirmations and a depiction of the Olomana mountain scape behind the facility. The design elements incorporated within the mural were a culmination of ideas shared by the staff and students of HYCF and composed by our lead muralist. Our program began by teaching the students how to draw and paint within the first 4-weeks and then utilize their acquired abilities in their final assignment of painting a mural.
The youth each chose one word of affirmation to draw and throughout the workshop sessions began to refine their designs technically and stylistically. Initially most of the youth were reluctant yet excited. Majority of the students did not have an artistic background however, the program was designed for beginning art students and the students thrived throughout the process. It was surprising to witness such impressive results in short window of time. All workshop assignments which the students persevered through, prepared them to confidently participate in the collaborative mural where 16 students and 4 Olomana staff members successfully applied teamwork and leadership skills to complete.
Our mural program equally focuses on developing leadership qualities for all our students by exercising teamwork and creating a positive working environment. It’s vital for the youth to experience healthy and productive social interactions amongst themselves as well as with the community within a collaborative space. The Lõkahi program also featured honored guests, Honolulu City Council person Mrs. Andria Tupola and Candidate for Lieutenant Governor, Mr. Ikaika Anderson, to share their journey and approaches to leadership with the students. The students learned important life lessons and gained invaluable information from community role models and how they apply leadership within our government.
This process also enhanced their social-emotional skills through communication, expressiveness, and teamwork practices which improved their behavior and built confidence. As the program progressed the student’s commitment, focus and skillsets developed and were astounding; nearly 100% engagement as they persevered through challenging tasks with impressive end results. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is an important part of a well-rounded education and critical to trauma-informed practices. A meta-analysis from Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) shows that investment in SEL, and opportunities to develop SEL skills lead to improved classroom behavior, better stress management, and 11 percent gains in academics. On average, CASEL finds that every dollar spent on evidence based SEL programs has a return of $11.00, meaning SEL has a positive and substantial return on investment. In the Lōkahi Mural Program, students collaborated with professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, and community members to make social connections and show that they can be productive members of society. The partnership between Keep It Flowing LLC. and Olomana School provided the students with a great learning experience to work alongside community leaders and professional artists.Politician Ikaika Anderson sharing Leadership values to the class
Keep It Flowing and Olomana School HYCF would like thank and acknowledge all who made this program possible. Mahalo nui loa to Hawai’i Department of Education Branches; School Transformation Branch, Office of Student Support Services; Office of Strategy and Information and Performance. Mahalo nui loa to Windward Community College, Hawai’i Youth Correctional Facility (HYCF) and Olomana School. Mahalo nui Loa to Olomana School Principal Lisa Delong, HYCF Warden – Mark Patterson, Special Education Department Head and Transition Coordinator Lisa Vegas and all staff at Olomana School (HYCF Site) for all your dedication and hard work!
“We believe art has the potential to positively impact our kids’ lives. The skills and connections they make could be what they need to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams and aspirations.” _Special Education Department Head and Transition Coordinator
It’s important to teach our keiki in ways that they understand and grasp. Who would of thought that a program like this would have been able to reach these keiki. _Ikaika Anderson
I came down from my office the other day and had a moment by myself with the mural, I love it. _Principal Lisa Delong
