Kakaako is one of Hawaii’s most stylish spots for wall art, making it a must-visit destination.
It’s an area concentrated with various art murals, including the famous “Monsters” and “Rainbow.” Even if you’ve never been, you’ve likely seen them on social media, haven’t you?
With its trendy cafes, restaurants, boutique shops, and organic supermarkets, it’s a great place for a stroll!
It’s not too far from Waikiki and easily accessible by various means like the trolley, bus, or Biki bike rentals, which adds to its popularity♪
Have fun taking commemorative photos with the murals, exploring the stylish shops, and enjoying hidden culinary gems.
Top 5 Popular Murals in Kakaako
While Kakaako is dotted with various wall art, I’d like to introduce five of the most popular ones.
The area is surprisingly widespread, but the wall art is concentrated around Cooke St, so I recommend focusing your tour around this street.
Kakaako’s #1 Popular Mural: “The Monsters”
The most famous wall art in Kakaako is the “KEVIN LYONS WALL,” a creation by New York-based artist Kevin Lyons.
It’s painted on the wall of Fisher Hawaii, the largest stationery store in Hawaii.
The lineup of colorful monsters is adorable, and many people come specifically to see this piece♪
Be sure to take a photo with the one hidden panda!
Most Recommended Mural: The One That Resembles Namie Amuro
This recommended piece is popular because the woman depicted is said to resemble Namie Amuro, a famous Japanese pop star!
While it’s not a famous mural featured in magazines, you’ll often see people taking photos here.
It’s painted next to the UFC Gym (at the corner of Pohukaina Street and Koula Street), in front of a Biki station.
The gentle touch, color palette, and detailed design are a must-see.
By the way, this mural is the only piece among Kakaako’s wall art created by a Japanese artist♪
A Powerful and Impressive Mural: “The Evolved, Ultimate Panda”
It used to be a somewhat tough-looking panda, but now it has been armed and transformed into the ultimate panda!
It’s a fantastic mural with an impressive scale and meticulous attention to detail.
It’s located diagonally across from the Namie Amuro-like mural, right near the central Cooke Street.
The atmosphere feels like a back alley where a gang fight might break out. A movie was once filmed here, and it was a scene where someone was lying on the ground. lol
A Classic for Wedding Photos: “The Bicycle Silhouette”
This stylish piece has been around since the early days of the wall art movement, a true classic mural!
Previously, this bicycle silhouette covered a large area, but now only the most popular section remains.
The entire background is black, with the bicycle and text painted in white, creating a sharp contrast that is very photogenic.
This mural is located near the center of the main Cooke Street, so it’s easy to find♪
The #1 Most Instagrammable Mural: “The Rainbow”
This is the “RISK AND SONNY BOY WALL,” commonly known as the Rainbow.
It was already a popular piece of art, but its fame grew even more after being featured on “Ariyoshi’s Summer Vacation,” a popular Japanese TV show.
Although it’s a very large piece of art, its location is actually closer to Ala Moana than Kakaako, so many people have trouble finding it.
The location is a bit tricky, but the easiest way to find it is to walk about 100 meters down Queen Street from the Whole Foods Queen store and then look back. You should be able to spot it! lol
You’re guaranteed to get a photogenic shot here♪
By the way, it’s hard to read because it’s in cursive, but the text says “ALOHA”!
Kakaako’s Wall Art Grows Every Year
We’ve introduced the five most popular murals in Kakaako.
Some popular murals are in hard-to-find places, and others get painted over and disappear without warning. Each encounter with the art is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
With an average of 80 new murals added each year, the area is constantly expanding, so you’ll likely see many pieces that aren’t even online yet.
Try picking a theme and enjoy a leisurely stroll through the area.
You might even spot some familiar characters painted in various places♪
The Kakaako Wall Art is Part of an Event Called “POW! WOW! Hawaii”
The wall art in Kakaako is created during an event called “POW! WOW! Hawaii!”.
While some established artists participate, the event primarily features emerging artists who paint on the walls of buildings slated for future development and demolition.
Even though many artists are not yet famous, all the art is stylish and photogenic, making it incredibly popular, especially among young people!
The event is held every February, and if you visit during this time, you can watch the artists at work, offering a different and recommended way to enjoy the art.
Some murals from the previous year may be painted over, so if you want to document the various pieces, be sure to check back at least once a year.
It’s great that you can enjoy different art every year you visit!
Safety in the Kakaako Wall Art Area
Although redevelopment has attracted more tourists, Kakaako is said to have a reputation for not being the safest area.
This is due to its proximity to downtown, the presence of many homeless individuals, and a higher incidence of drug use.
In fact, there was an incident in 2018 where a tourist from Japan was attacked by a drug addict in a public restroom.
The main streets and crowded areas are generally safe, but there are also less visible public restrooms and secluded spots, so it’s important to be cautious in those areas!
If you feel uneasy going on your own, consider joining a local tour.
However, it is safe during the daytime, and even at night, you’ll generally be fine as long as you stay aware of your surroundings, so there’s no need to worry too much.
Kakaako Wall Art: General Information
| Name | Kakaako Wall Art |
| Address | 742d Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96813 |
| Map | |
| Hours | 24 hours |
| Closed | Never |
| Time required | Approx. 30 minutes or more |
| Restrooms | None |
| Parking | Available (Street parking) |
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