Aloha Hilo High Community,
We would like to reach out to address concerns over the relocation of our “Home of the Vikings” mural and share our plans to move it to a prominent location where we can continue to showcase our Hilo High pride.
We have started to plan for the relocation of the “Home of the Vikings” mural on campus at Building C. We are also looking at other spaces to create additional murals expressing our school pride and are open to feedback from the community. I encourage those who are interested in participating in the design and painting process to contact Hilo High’s administration team.
While we undertook this project with the greatest intentions, we sincerely apologize to those who are upset with the decision for the location of the new mural. Our intention was never to erase or destroy our school’s legacy, but to inspire future generations of Vikings and to instill a sense of place and pride.
As background information, our ninth graders applied for and received a School Design Innovation Grant through the Superintendent’s Office last year. They were awarded the funds based on their proposal to give students hands on experiences that connect them to both the school and community to develop intrinsic motivation, combined with academic supports to give them multiple opportunities to succeed and lead in their transition to high school.
The message of the mural created by students is one of forgiveness, communication and healing. With these themes in mind, Hilo High is approaching this issue with a sense of mindfulness, and will work quickly with the community to rectify this situation.
Thank you for your continued support of our students as they explore place-based education through the legends and stories of Hilo. Please feel free to join us for our mural unveiling on Nov. 4 at 10:00 a.m. We will have spaces reserved for our community members so they may listen to our students share the journey of their mural creation. If you cannot make it in-person, the KVIKS crew will also be live streaming the event at www.kvikstv.info.
With Viking Pride,
Robert Dircks
Principal