ALOHA 2026 debuts at Ala Moana
The commonly used word “aloha’ in the Hawaiian language has several different meanings, among them “love,” “sympathy,” “kindness” and “unity.”
Three years ago, operators at Hawaii’s Ala Moana center — at 2.4 million square feet the biggest piece of retail real estate on the island — thought the center should have the biggest “Aloha” on the island, as well. Good idea.
The Aloha Sign is 28 feet wide, with each letter standing six feet tall, beckoning to everyone who visits the center. It has turned out to serve as the photo backdrop for millions of tourists.
Every year, new Hawaiian artist is brought into the center to give its “ALOHA” a new artistic skin. This year’s artist is Kailua-based Kate Wadsworth, who painted it during daytime hours in its regular station so visitors could enjoy the progress.
Working in collaboration with POW! WOW! Hawaii, Wadsworth worked on the sculpture from April 20 to the 24. It debuted for visitors on May 1, serving as a vibrant centerpiece for the Ala Moana’s month-long Lei Day celebration.
Known for her bold use of color and landscape-driven compositions, Wadsworth uses exaggerated shapes and purposeful line work to create a distinct sense of movement and storytelling. For the Aloha Sign installation, Wadsworth drew inspiration from Hawaii’s lei-making tradition, creating a mural that weaves together the island’s official flowers and other local favorites into a single continuous thread that connects each letter as one diverse lei.
“I wanted this piece to feel welcoming and full of life, much like the experience of receiving or giving a lei,” said Wadsworth. “Lei carry so much meaning in Hawaii, from celebration to connection, and I wanted to reflect that through bold color and layered composition.”
Originally installed in 2023, the rotating mural series on Ala Moana’s Aloha launched in 2025 with a design by Hawaii illustrator Punky Aloha, followed by a second installation by Honolulu-based artist Kris Goto. Each iteration “reflects the unique style and perspective of the artist, reinforcing Ala Moana Center’s ongoing commitment to showcasing local art and culture,” said Ala Moana’s press release.
