Spectrum of Life with Drs. Kevin and Norma Hara.
By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– In honor of Pali Momi Medical Center’s 25th anniversary, Drs. Kevin and Norma Hara made a generous donation of a photo mural entitled Spectrum of Life, a collaborative display depicting each color of the rainbow as seen through the eyes of photography students at Assets High School. The display brings a refreshing twist on the classic rainbow and provides inspiration for noticing the colorful details in the world around us. The bright and uplifting mural showcasing the talents of Assets students can be found on the third floor of the hospital in the intensive care unit.
Spectrum of Life is a collage incorporating layered images creating a vivid spectrum detailing objects of all kinds, from the tiniest green moss sprouts to the barrel of a North Shore wave. Many students found inspiration in the beauty of nature and the structures of downtown Honolulu and Kaka‘ako. Other students chose to create abstract and mysterious compositions of color, leaving the viewer guessing the identity of the original object.
“From a design stand point, each photograph can stand individually. But grouped together, something more dramatic and spectacular is created,” commented Norma Hara. “It’s like the hospital staff at Pali Momi. Individually, each professional excels in what they do, however collectively, they make miracles happen for many of their patients.”
Rev. Nathan Kohashi blessing Assets photography students.
”We are very grateful to Assets School and Drs. Kevin and Norma Hara for this thoughtful and creative donation,” said Pali Momi Medical Center CEO Jen H. Chahanovich. “Artwork has a very calming and peaceful effect on our patients, and we’re pleased to add this unique mural to our diverse collection of art displayed throughout our hospital.”
“When you are at the hospital, you are usually dealing with something difficult or challenging,” added Hara. “It’s typically an emotionally charged situation. My hope is that patients and their family members are pleasantly distracted and receive a moment of hope from seeing the mural.”
“All of us at Assets are so touched that Kevin and Norma chose to make such an extraordinary gift to Pali Momi that beautifully showcases the talent and creativity of our students,” said Sandi Tadaki, Assistant Head of School and Director of Admissions. “They have given us a great gift as well, by sharing with the community an example of the brilliance that comes from our school. I hope it brings peace, comfort, and hope to all who see it.”
Last night, Pali Momi graciously hosted an unveiling ceremony and artist reception for the photographers involved in the mural project. The evening was complete with a touching blessing from Rev. Nathan Kohashi, Pali Momi chaplin. He asked each student to place a hand in a blessing bowl. Rev. Kohashi said, “I usually add salt in the bowl for the blessing, but today you are the blessing.” At the end of the ceremony, he reminded the students, “this mural is an example of how your individuality is never lost and together you are part of something greater, something extraordinary.”
About Assets School
Assets School has been transforming students’ lives since its inception in 1955. The vision of Assets is to create a community in which all children thrive and realize their own potential, so that society benefits from their unique talents and abilities. Assets provides premier educational services to gifted and/or dyslexic children by providing model, integrated learning environments and professional outreach programs. For students with learning differences, Assets sustains a supportive setting that “empowers these children to find their place as lifelong learners in school and society.” For more information about Assets School, visit www.assets-school.net.
About Pali Momi Medical Center
With 128 beds and nearly 400 physicians on its medical staff, Pali Momi Medical Center offers a full range of services for the communities of Central and West O‘ahu. The hospital has delivered many medical firsts for the community, including Central and West O‘ahu’s only interventional cardiac catheterization unit to detect and treat heart disease, a fully integrated minimally invasive surgical suite, a comprehensive women’s center, CT scan and MRI services, and the state’s first retina center. Pali Momi is the only facility in Hawai‘i that uses a team triage approach in its emergency room, where patients are promptly evaluated by an emergency physician. The hospital is an affiliate of Hawai‘i Pacific Health, the state’s largest health care provider. Hawai‘i Pacific Health is a not-for-profit health care network of hospitals, clinics, physicians and other caregivers serving Hawai‘i and the Pacific region with high quality, compassionate care. Learn more at www.palimomi.org.