Trashcan Mural Project: Kalama’s Hawaiian Heritage
Artist Profile:
Inspired by Kalama’s deep-rooted Hawaiian history and culture, this can is a tribute to the heritage woven into the story of our community and to John Kalama, whose name became part of the identity of the place we call home.
We hope this piece encourages people to appreciate and learn more about the Hawaiian connection that is such a unique part of Kalama’s history. Two cultures, one community, and a history worth celebrating.
Artist:
Jene McMahon
Hi, my name is Jene McMahon, and I moved to Kalama in the fall of 2024. Having grown up in a small town, I spent years longing to find that special sense of community again—a place where neighbors know neighbors, people come together, and everyone has the opportunity to make a difference. When I moved to Kalama, I knew I had found that place. From the beginning, I knew I wanted to contribute to my new community. I wasn’t exactly sure what that would look like, but I knew I wanted to do something meaningful. I have always loved art, and the more time I spent in Kalama, the more I discovered just how many creative and talented people live here. Then one day, while walking through downtown, something caught my eye—the lids of the trash cans. I remember looking at them and thinking, “Why can’t we paint those?” That simple question sparked an idea. I began researching, putting together a plan, and eventually approached the Kalama City Council to ask if we could transform the downtown trashcan lids into individual works of public art. To my excitement—and a little bit of surprise—they said YES! And just like that, the Trashcan Mural Project of Kalama was born. What began as one idea during a walk downtown has grown into something much bigger—a community art project filled with creativity, collaboration, and hometown pride. For me, this project represents exactly what I hoped to find when I moved to Kalama: a small town with a big heart, where one simple idea can bring people together and make our community a little brighter.
