Volunteers paint rainbow on Kailua crosswalk after tragedy near Kaelepulu Elementary

KAILUA (HawaiiNewsNow) - After tragedy struck near a Kailua public school, a community-led project driven by students’ vision has finally become reality after years of work.

On Keolu Drive near Kaʻelepulu Elementary School in Kailua, a flower-adorned post now marks where Jenifer Van Lent — a Kailua mother, Tūtū and retired educator — was killed in a crosswalk in January 2023 during an early morning walk in the neighborhood.

“Mom, I wish you were here,” said Sabrina Cervantes, Lent’s daughter.

Cervantes and family, including Lent’s grandsons, bring flowers weekly in remembrance of Lent, who they call “Mama Jen.”

“We know you’re looking down on us from heaven, and we’ll look for you in the rainbows,” Cervantes said.

A rainbow has been painted in Mama Jen’s honor as part of a crosswalk mural designed by third- and fourth-graders at Kaʻelepulu.

The design was presented to the neighborhood board and received approval from the Honolulu mayor’s office. Some safety measures were taken in past years with “see me” flags, but cars continued speeding past the school and many parents feared letting students walk to school.

“We’re at the corner of Akiohala and Keolu Drive, just adjacent to Kaʻelepulu Elementary School,” said Kate Chang, parent and Kaʻelepulu Parents, Teachers and Students Association (PTSA) member. “We are here to install a street mural to help keep our community safe. It’s a collaboration and a partnership that started with concerned parents and the kids got involved designing a mural.”

Local artist Lauren Roth helped bring their vision to life, along with helping hands from the school’s PTSA.

“They learned the moʻolelo and they studied all the land and the stories of Kailua and they came up with this beautiful idea how to incorporate all those, stories into this artwork,” said Lauren Roth, a Kailua artist.

More than 70 volunteers came out to brighten Keolu Drive in hopes that cars would slow down.

Since it wasn’t safe on the road, students could not paint themselves, so adults took on the task to bring the students’ vision to life.

With one paint stroke at a time, the community is turning heartbreak into acts of aloha. Word got out that the school needed help, so volunteers showed up ready to help.

“We’re just painting, making sure all the kids’ dreams for what they came up with comes true, and, you know, try to bring out joy as much as possible,” said Elijah Odhiambo, who is stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps base.

“A great way to bring the community together so this doesn’t happen again for anyone else’s family member; for the safety of everyone,” Cervantes said while painting part of the mural herself in memory of her mother.

“We picked bright colors that will hopefully have people slow down,” said Sara Wong, a Ka’elepulu teacher and student advisor. “The students created it so that it can be on the ground, keeping our community safe.”

There’s a safety purpose behind the color — visually narrowing the roadway and reminding drivers they are in a school zone.

“This is our mauka side, this is our ʻāina in the middle median, and then our makai side,” Chang said.

This week’s official blessing of the crosswalk paves the way for a positive tomorrow, thanks to the drawings and visions of these keiki.

“Hopefully, that will inspire other kids to do other great things, think big, and not ever feel limited,” Cervantes said.

Cervantes added she’s grateful for the students who helped make this a reality for her mom and to keep others in the community safe.

As volunteers gathered, a real rainbow appeared; a reminder that Mama Jen’s memory is still shining over this street. And a symbol of hope to keep others safe.

If your school is interested in designing a mural along a crosswalk to help maintain a safe route to school, email yamato.sasaki@honolulu.gov or call 808-768-8312.