The “Breathe Aloha Mural Tour” (BAMT) is a continuing statewide campaign promoting awareness about youth tobacco “vaping” use. Keep It Flowing’s team, led by Kenneth “East 3” Nishimura, with Director of Development, Laycie Love and Vice President of Marketing & Sales, Kellee Kubota partners with 808 No Vape, a division of Hawaii Public Health Institute (HIPH) to facilitate (4) murals at local Hawai’i schools during the Fall of 2019.
The 808 No Vape organization, within the Hawai’i Tobacco Prevention & Control Trust Fund organization, is proud to have already sponsored (2) large-scale youth collaboration tours across the State of Hawai’i. This year, they united again to bring full-colored awareness-focused murals within the campuses of Roosevelt High School, Kalaheo High School, Waimea High School and King Kekaulike High School. These school murals are included in the third part of the statewide tour and was completed in Fall of 2019. Organizers focus on awareness and prevention to combat the vape industry marketing and promote healthier choices for the youth and adults (both users and those considering due to peer pressure). Ultimately, they hope to reverse the disturbingly soaring trend of vape use in the Hawaiian Islands.
All murals so far have been in partnership with 808 Not Vape. Special Mahalo to all that came together to provide beautification in a big way including Principal Sean Wong of Roosevelt High School, KITV’s Moanikeala Nabarro, Principal James Rippard of Kalaheo High School, Principal Mahina Anguay of Waimea High School, Principal Mark Elliot of King Kekaulike High School, Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino, Kaua’i County Mayor Derek Kawakami, Franci Davila of Kaua’i Mental Health Advocates, Chantal Zarbarough of KONG Radio, Dennis Fujimoto of The Garden Island News, Jessica Yamauchi, Executive Director of Hawai’i Public Health Institute, Scott Stensrud, Statewide Youth Coordinator and Kevin Ramirez, Youth ESD Prevention Project Coordinator, as well as artists Trysen Kaneshige, Victoria Aiu, Sofia Sentes and all the youth, faculty, parents and volunteers. We also appreciate our legacy sponsors: Olena Hue with Lilikoi Ladies, Kaua’i Marriott Resorts, Sherwin Williams and Hawaiian Graphics.
The Keep It Flowing team kicked off the Fall BAMT on July 4th, 2019 at Roosevelt High School. Students and volunteers were encouraged to write words and phrases of affirmation. KITV Reporter, Moanikeala Nabarro covered the mural painting and unveiling process as well as provided her own affirmation to the collaborative project. A total of 1,363 students were involved in this high school mural on O’ahu! Anti-vaping presentations were provided by the Director of 808 No Vape, Kevin Ramirez after the mural unveiling on August 19, 2019. Mahalo to Principal Sean Wong for supporting this amazing youth collaboration!
The 2nd mural of the Fall 2019 808 No Vape Mural Tour began July 13th, 2019 at Kalaheo High School on O’ahu. Students collaborated on activism and created trivia games, banners and educational materials for the mural unveiling on October 24th, 2019 and during the presentation by Director of 808 No Vape’s Kevin Ramirez. Keep It Flowing’s founder painted most of the mural, with assistance by Marketing Director, Kellee Kubota and the unofficial mascot “Minnie.” A total number of 883 students worked together to bring this fun project to light! Thank you to all the faculty, including Principal James Rippard and volunteers for working closely with our team to provide the mural that was well-received by the community.
Our 3rd mural for this tour was at Kauai’s Waimea High School beginning on August 2nd, 2019. Artists from Kaua’i included Trysen “Tkay2” Kaneshige, Victoria Aiu and Sofia Sentes. Special mahalo to Principal Mahina Anguay, Franci Davila for assisting in the logistics on this mural, as well as KONG radio’s Chantal Zarbarough and Dennis Fujimoto from The Garden Island News https://www.thegardenisland.com/2019/08/11/lifestyles/happy-camper-for-sunday-august-11-2019/ for public relations on this project and all of the amazing volunteers and community leaders that contributed. Vaping presentation was hosted by Kevin Ramirez, of 808 No Vape. A total of 580 students were involved in this large mural.
Our 4th and final mural for the BAMT Fall 2019 Tour started on August 9th, 2010 at King Kekaulike High School on Maui. Artist Grant Lopez joins Creative Director, Kenneth “East3” Nishimura to provide this large scale mural collaboration with over 1,085 youth! Special Mahalo to Maui Mayor Michael Victorino for presenting the Keep It Flowing Day proclamation, on August 15th, 2019; the day of the mural unveiling. Thank you to all our youth, faculty and community volunteers, including Principal Mark Elliot of King Kekaulike High School and Kevin Ramirez, Director of 808 No Vape’s program, who provided anti-vaping presentations after the scheduled unveiling.
Special MAHALO to everyone that contributed and volunteers for all (4) of these fun prevention murals! We appreciate everyone who came together especially the YOUTH of Hawai’i that participated and shared their powerful voices! We have completed (10) statewide prevention murals throughout the state with 808 No Vape, impacting over 10,000 students to date! MAHALO everyone that has been a part of this movement; we sincerely appreciate every single one of you and are humbled and honored to continue to serve Hawaii’s KEIKI!
