Kauaʻi students brighten Hawaiian Telcom utility boxes with art inspired by cultural heritage

In Anahola, across from Whalers General Store, students painted a once drab Hawaiian Telcom utility box that now bursts with colorful kapa (fabric)-inspired designs, honoring the tradition of hula with silhouettes of dancers and instruments like the ipu (bottle gourd) and pahu (drum).

It is part of an art project to celebrate Kaua’i becoming the third island in Hawai’i to have full fiber-optic internet connection availability, which means access to higher internet speeds and reliability.

Middle school and high school students from across the Garden Isle were invited to transform five ordinary utility boxes into vibrant works of art.

The utility company partnered with Kaua’i-based educator and artist Kayti Lathrop, one of five teachers taking part in the “Artists in the Schools” grant, and the State Foundation for Culture and Arts on O’ahu.

In the past five years, Lathrop has painted about 50 or 60 murals on Kauaʻi.

For this project, Lathrop said the main theme was connection to symbiotic relationships with plants, animals and humans in Hawaiʻi.

During six months of collaboration, students Malia Bergeron, Chloe Hannsz, Rain Hannsz, Tawehi Oana-Makanani, Peshants Watson Spang, and Zillary Watts brought bold visions to life on five utility boxes on Kaua’i.

“The creations aren’t just art but tell stories,” Lathrop said.

In Kapa‘a, near the Pono Kai Resort bus stop, a playful marine scene celebrates symbiotic relationships between creatures like the hinalea ‘akilolo (yellowtail coris) and the Hawaiian monk seal.

In Līhu‘e, in front of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, the spotlight turns to ancient voyaging — with wa‘a canoes, celestial navigation and the art of wayfinding guiding the design.

Po‘ipū’s box dives into deep ocean waters, showcasing native species from manō (shark) to the mystical bioluminescent Hawaiian bobtail squid, in a glowing underwater symphony of life.

And in Hanapēpē, right outside the public library, native birds and plants shine — from the vibrant i‘iwi sipping nectar from lehua blossoms to the ‘alalā (Hawaiian crow) once feeding on hō‘awa (small tree) fruit.

Lathrop said the feedback from the community was “overwhelming, all day long.”

From honking, beeping and giving shakas, people dropped off food and drinks to the young artists.

“This project was all about connection,” Lathrop said. “Not just to technology, but to creativity, culture and community. These haumāna (students) didn’t just paint boxes — they shared their mana‘o (ideas) with the island.”

Hawaiian Telcom’s president, Su Shin, said: “We were thrilled to partner with Kayti and these talented students, and are proud to showcase their designs.”

Kaua‘i’s full fiber enablement is part of Hawaiian Telcom’s ongoing $1.7 billion investment across Hawai‘i, with plans to complete the rollout statewide by 2026, the company said.

Last year, the state of Hawai‘i Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairsʻ Cable Television Division approved Hawaiian Telcom’s cable franchise applications for the respective counties of Maui, Kaua‘i and Hawai‘i.

“It’s rare I go out to do something, and even rarer that I enjoy it,” said Kapa’a High School Sophomore, Malia Bergeron. “It was exciting to be able to contribute to the wonderful artworks around the community of Kauai.”

Lathrop also will be teaching at the new Namahana School in Kilauea, and is excited to work with students and help them grow through their art skills and becoming more confident in art and drawing.

It’s amazing to work with students because they’re like sponges, soaking up everything they see and learn,” she added.

The project brought a mother and daughter together for the day and strengthened relationships among students who were meeting for the first time through their art.

“It was a good opportunity to kind of remember about putting yourself out there socially,” said Lathrop. The project took approximately two months, with about 15 gallons paints.

“Creativity is an outlet,” said Peshants Watson Spang, a Namahana School eighth grader, . “This was a perfect opportunity to express my creativity, and I love the thought of people driving by work that I helped create, and thinking that it’s wonderful. I’m happy I was able to contribute to the community and lend Aunty Kayti a hand.”

Lathrop has now taken a position as the ‘creative activator’ and will be teaching art at Namahana School in Kilauea on Tuesdays and Thursdays. She hopes to paint an open mural at the school once it opens up.

“That’s definitely something that’s in the works right now,” she said.

In the meantime, if you’re cruising around the Garden Isle, keep your eyes peeled for some of the most powerful connections on Kaua‘i.

Click here to watch the Hawaii Telcom and local artist Kayti Lathrop’s video.