Super Realistic Barack Obama Mural Addresses Race and Equality in America

A presidential mural adorns an office on Ward Avenue.

Photo: Andrew Tran, @Werdnaa

President Barack Obama looks determined in “Hapa,” a new mural adorning an office on Ward Avenue. Artist Kamea Hadar says the mural addresses racial equality. “The concept of hapa is something beautiful,” says Hadar, co-lead director of Pow! Wow! Worldwide and a hapa mix of Japanese/Korean and Israeli heritage. The mural’s backdrop is an Obama speech in which he described growing up as a mixed-race American in Hawai‘i. “At first I was hesitant to paint something political,” says Hadar, “but I’ve received overwhelming support. I usually get, ‘I don’t really like Obama, but the mural really is beautiful.’” kameahadar.com