Sandy Beach murals honor two Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards

Artists have completed four murals in Sandy Beach Park to commemorate two Honolulu Ocean Safety lifeguards.

The Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation announced Tuesday the completion of the murals of former lifeguards Joy Keahipuakauikawekiu Mills-Ferren and Joshua “Goat” Guerra surrounding a comfort station in the beach park.

“I am very grateful to have been entrusted with this mural,” said Luke DeKneef, the main artist of the murals, in a statement. “When I was painting Josh Guerra’s portrait, I felt him challenge me to be resilient; As we worked on Joy Mills-Ferren’s image, we felt protected and blessed by her presence. My team of Ran Noveck and Faith Fay was able to carry out a job that, with its many elements, is really inviting and uplifting for the community. “

The $ 20,000 mural was donated to the city by Worldwide Walls, formerly known as POW! WOW! and The Creative City, with the support of Montant Cans and the wall painters DeKneef, Noveck and Fay.

At a blessing ceremony, Mayor Rick Blangiardi was accompanied by dozens of Ocean Safety lifeguards, DPR staff, community members, and family members to see the mural complete.

“It is such a privilege to celebrate living works of art in public spaces, especially those that pay tribute to our dedicated lifeguards who put themselves at risk to protect their communities,” Blangiardi said in a statement. “These types of murals tell not only the stories of the areas they live in, but also of the people who enjoyed and protected this land, especially Joy and Josh. Now, with these souvenir pictures, you will keep an eye on this pristine coast forever. “

Mills-Ferren started as a lifeguard at Ocean Safety in 2001, according to a city press release, and spent three years at Sandy Beach Park and Makapuu Beach Park. She then moved to the island of Hawaii, where she continued to work as a lifeguard.

Mills-Ferren followed in the footsteps of her father, Ocean Safety Captain Joe Mills. She was also an award-winning hula dancer, surfer, and prolific athlete, according to the city’s press release.

Guerra moved from Kansas to Oahu in 1994 and served as a lifeguard with Ocean Safety from 2004 to 2018. He was a jet ski driver on the Ka Iwi coast before being promoted to lieutenant.

Guerra’s nickname “goat” referred to his “curly, long hair, fearless mountaineering skills, exuberant drumming skills, easygoing demeanor, and propensity to inspire others to laugh,” the city press release said.

Mills-Ferren, born on March 21, 1970 in Honolulu, died on August 3, 2018 at the age of 48. Guerra was born in Fresno, California on May 11, 1976, died on August 22, 2018, at the age of 42.