Take a drive through downtown Honolulu, and you’ve probably seen Central Pacific Bank’s newly renovated headquarters on King and Alakea. The iconic Central Pacific Plaza location was reimagined to draw people in, not just for banking services, but also as a hub for the community and lovers of current art—quite literally.

The focal point within that main branch is Kai nu‘u o Kanaloa—Kai, for short—a large-scale kinetic mural that tells the story of old Hawai‘i while serving as a virtual up-to-the-minute surf report. The name itself translates to “The Rising Tide of Kanaloa,” and proclaims adulation to the Pacific waters, from kai (meaning ocean in Hawaiian) and Kanaloa (the god of the sea, tides and navigation in Hawaiian pantheon).

“We wanted something that had a deep connection to Hawai‘i that also had a technology component to it,” explains Kevin Dahlstrom, Central Pacific Bank’s chief marketing officer. “We wanted to embrace tech nology.”

Bringing Kai to fruition was months in the making and a global effort, to hear Dahlstrom tell it. Based on Central Pacific Bank’s initial concept, Madrid-based Espadaysantacruz Studio partnered with Phenomenon, 1st Ave Machine and local company Hana Productions to make this signature piece a reality.

“We first heard about the project following the lockdown in Spain due to COVID,” relays Espadaysantacruz Studio cofounders and creative directors Juan Santa-Cruz and Nerea Goikoetxea. “It was late spring (2020) and the news was like a breath of fresh air coming from the window: the opportunity to create a permanent installation in Hawai‘i after three months stuck at home was like a dream.”

Along a space of about 30-by-20 feet, Kai features a beautiful locally made mahogany background and 48 computer-controlled lighted rainsticks that move depending on the waves, usually from the North Shore. From about two dozen buoys positioned around the island—courtesy of National Data Buoy Center—surf data is wirelessly transmitted in real time, and the height of each billow and the frequency of the ebbs and flows dictates how Kai moves.

“It’s definitely worth stopping by,” explains Dahlstrom. “It’s something you have to see to fully appreciate.”

Kai is a fully immersive mixed-media experience, with each of the 2-foot rainsticks mimicking the movement of the waves while giving off the sounds of the ocean, thanks to an acoustic membrane filled with 600 tiny steel balls. When all components come together, it harkens feelings of peace, tranquility and hope.

“It’s beautiful,” Dahlstrom adds. “It pays homage to our deep roots in Hawai‘i, but it also brings us in the future.”

Speaking of the bank’s plans to come, expect educational art talks centered around Kai and Honolulu’s growing art scene, as well as fun events like morning yoga and so much more.

More than just an art installation, Kai serves as a symbol of a company-wide transformation that moves Central Pacific Bank into the modern realm with a new mobile app, website, digital products and contemporary, mid-century spaces for customers.

“Kai ties the past to the present,” he continues. “It’s fun and playful and has a great personality, like our new tagline: ‘Where people like banking.’ It’s a very simple reference to how our bank’s always been known in Hawai‘i for providing amazing service. Some people don’t appreciate their bank, but Central Pacific Bank is different that way. It always has been.”
Find Kai’s full story online at cpb.bank/kai.