The Power of Yes | with Kamea Hadar

Sometimes, it can be easy to turn down an opportunity if the immediate benefits aren’t obvious. Perhaps the opportunity requires more time and effort than you might prefer, or you are simply uninterested in what is being offered.

Nevertheless, while there is nothing wrong with saying “no”, saying “yes” to new or unexpected experiences may illuminate paths that would otherwise remain in the dark. 

Artist Kamea Hadar shows how saying “yes” to an unexpected creative project years ago paved the way for his interests, work, and successes today.

From Hesitation to Inspiration

While Hadar was participating in an art festival – World Wide Walls (formerly, POW!WOW!) –  in 2013, he received a phone call from a fellow artist, inquiring about painting a large scale mural piece.

Artist Kamea Hadar working on a mural at the 2013 POW!WOW! Hawai'i Festival.

Artist Kamea Hadar working on a mural at the 2013 POW!WOW! Hawaiʻi Festival in Kakaʻako.

Hadar’s post-festival fatigue - paired with little expertise in mural painting - led him to decline the offer at first. In addition to planning and coordinating the entire POW!WOW! festival with his co-founder Jasper Wong, he had spent multiple days outside in the hot sun, painting alongside other talented artists. The last thing he wanted to do was invest even more time in another project right away.

However, after a short period of reflection, Hadar soon changed his mind. He recognized that he could rest at any other time, but opportunities like this one did not always last. In his words:

“Who cares if I’m tired? I have an opportunity.” 

Hadar collaborated with Australian street artist Rone, who had lots of experience in mural painting.

Before this project, Hadar had done large paintings, but treated them as big canvases rather than murals.

Rone taught him a new scaling technique that took mural design to the next level, simplifying and streamlining the process. 

Taking that opportunity [with Rone] completely changed my life. And for me, that was like, okay, this is not only what I wanna do, but now I have the tools to do so. And I can just go as big as I want to.
— Kamea Hadar

It didn’t take long for Hadar to realize he had stumbled upon a passion.

He was limitless – with this new knowledge from Rone and this collaborative experience, Hadar saw that he could go bigger and bigger with his pieces. There was a fire sparked within him to strive for larger projects with even greater creative potential.

From this point on, Hadar perfected his craft in murals.

Street artist Rone teaching Kamea Hadar a new technique on this mural, ‘Kakaʻako Dreams.

Continued Potential

This unexpected, pivotal moment in Hadar’s journey propelled him to where he is today. He admits that saying “yes” to this project with Rone completely changed the trajectory of his life.

As one of the top muralists in Hawaiʻi, he continues to work in the world of murals as the Co-Lead Director of World Wide Walls, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community through art, education, and creative spaces.

His pieces can be found throughout Oʻahu in places like SALT at Our Kakaʻako, Halawa View Apartments, and the University of Hawaiʻi Stan Sheriff Center.

His reach extends beyond Hawaiʻi as well, with collaborative works in San Francisco, CA and Taipei, Taiwan.

In February 2024, Hadar joined Eleven17, a Honolulu-based creative agency, as their inaugural Art Director.

In this new position, he oversees the aesthetics of the company’s advertising, branding, and marketing projects while also serving as the Eleven 17 design team lead. 

Say “Yes” to the Unknown 

Hadar’s story reflects the power of “yes” - a power that each and every one of us have the ability to harness.

While there is a time and place for saying “no”, saying “yes” has the power to enrich our lives in ways we may never have anticipated. It encourages us to break free from routine, discover new possibilities, and ultimately shape a more dynamic and fulfilling lifestyle.

By embracing the power of  “yes,” we open ourselves up to a world of opportunities waiting to be explored. 

While you may not be a distinguished artist discovering a new love for murals, perhaps your unknown passion is waiting just on the other side of your next “yes.”

To see other kamaʻāina stories and more of RiseHI, visit our Instagram page @risehawaii or subscribe to our weekly email newsletter below.

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A Leap into the Unknown | With Zavier Cummings

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The Value of Valuing Yourself | with Sheldon Simeon