Kakaako Murals: Honolulu’s Ever-Changing Street Art
The Kakaako murals are one of the few things on Oahu that are genuinely free, genuinely different every time you visit, and still somehow undersold compared to the beaches and hikes everyone talks about. For me, it’s a real hidden gem, not exactly what you’d expect to find on a Hawaiian island trip, but that’s part of why it’s stuck with me. I’ve been twice, both times by car, parking in the neighborhood and just walking the blocks to see what was new.
There’s a real story behind why the Kakaako murals exist in the first place, and it’s worth knowing before you go, because it explains why the walls you see this year might be completely different from what your friend saw last year.
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The Story Behind the Kakaako Murals
Kakaako used to be a forgotten industrial pocket of Honolulu, all warehouses and parking lots between Waikiki and downtown. That changed in 2010, when artist Jasper Wong and local artist Kamea Hadar painted a single mural on a wall outside a gallery here. It was a hit, so they found more walls. What started as one painting turned into POW! WOW! Hawaii, an annual mural festival that’s since gone global, with Kakaako as its flagship home.
Every February, over a hundred artists from Hawaii and around the world descend on the neighborhood for about a week and repaint dozens of walls from scratch. That’s the part most visitors don’t realize: the murals you see this year are very likely gone by next year, painted over to make room for new work. Nothing here is permanent, which is exactly what makes it worth seeing in person rather than just scrolling through old photos online.
How to Actually Visit the Kakaako Murals
This isn’t complicated. The easiest place to start is SALT at Our Kakaako, a small open air shopping center where you’ll find some of the first murals right on the property, plus easy parking to leave the car for the rest of your walk. From there, just head out onto the surrounding streets. Both times I’ve gone, that’s exactly what we did, no tour, no map needed, just wandering until we found the next wall. Kakaako is compact enough that you’ll stumble onto new murals every block or two, tucked onto the sides of warehouses, parking garages, and small businesses.
SALT at Our KakaakoGive yourself an hour or two to wander properly. There’s no set route and no entry fee, which is part of the appeal. Wear shoes you don’t mind walking in, and go earlier in the day if you want good light for photos without the afternoon heat.
Park anywhere in the neighborhood and just start walking the blocks.Good to Know
Take Photos While You Can
Since most murals get painted over during the next POW! WOW! Hawaii festival, whatever you see on your visit may not be there the next time you’re on the island. If a wall catches your eye, take the photo. There’s no guarantee it’ll still be up next year.
When to Go
You can walk Kakaako any day of the year and find plenty to see, but if you happen to be on Oahu during the POW! WOW! Hawaii festival itself, usually held around Valentine’s week in February, you’ll get to watch artists actually painting the walls in real time. It’s a completely different experience from seeing the finished work, with block parties, live painting, and a genuine buzz in the neighborhood.
A few of my favorite shots from Oahu.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Kakaako Murals
Are the Kakaako murals free to see?
Yes, completely free. The murals are painted on public-facing walls throughout the neighborhood, and you can walk past them any time, no ticket or tour required.
Do the Kakaako murals change every year?
Many of them do. During the annual POW! WOW! Hawaii festival, artists repaint a large number of walls, so the neighborhood looks noticeably different from one year to the next.
Is Kakaako walkable from Waikiki?
It's a bit far to comfortably walk from most Waikiki hotels, so driving or a short rideshare is the easier option. Once you're in the neighborhood, it's fully walkable on foot.
Final Thoughts on the Kakaako Murals
Twice now I've parked in Kakaako expecting to recognize the neighborhood from my last visit, and twice I've been wrong. That's genuinely the charm of it. Free, unpredictable, and worth an hour of anyone's Oahu trip, especially if you need a break from the beach for a morning.
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