HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I (Feb. 27, 2024) - Honolulu-based creative agency Eleven 17 has announced the appointment of Kamea Hadar, Director of POW! WOW!, as its first-ever Art Director.

Hadar will be responsible for guiding the overall visual style of various advertising, branding, and marketing projects while overseeing Eleven 17’s design team.

Known for his large-scale murals, including the 6,500 sq. ft. iconic piece of Duke Kahanamoku and Carissa Moore for Eleven 17’s Honolulu headquarters on South King Street, Hadar joins the agency from 13 years of directing and organizing the premier, curated mural festival: POW! WOW!.

Originally established in 2010 as a non-profit organization of contemporary artists, POW! WOW! has grown into a global network that organizes art exhibitions, outreach and educational programs, lecture series, creative community spaces, concerts, and live art installations that engage communities in the creation and appreciation of art and music.

Under Hadar’s ongoing guidance, POW! WOW! is presently taking a new direction, moving away from its well-known mural festival format. The organization will now concentrate on building partnerships with brands and focusing on experiential projects. While continuing to serve as a global hub for artists, POW! WOW!'s efforts will shift towards collaborating on brand activations and creating experiences that engage audiences directly. This change reflects a practical approach to adapting to current trends in the art world and offers fresh opportunities for artists to connect with communities in innovative ways.

Along with POW! WOW!, Hadar has worked directly with numerous lifestyle, food and beverage, travel and hospitality brands including: Absolut, Adobe, Coach, Consolidated Theaters, Hawaiian Airlines, Heineken, Lamborghini and more. Additionally, throughout the Hawaiian Islands, Hadar has been commissioned to produce several murals within the community such as a portrait of Edith Kanaka‘ole at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus and a 4-story “Mural of Hope,” in Wailuku Town, Maui for UVSC.

"Having known Kamea and his family since childhood, and having collaborated with him professionally in various capacities over the years, I've gained an understanding of his values and goals, which align perfectly with ours at Eleven 17. We're thrilled to have him onboard and confident in the immense value he will bring as we expand our presence in the industry,” said Kimo Kennedy, co-founder of Eleven 17.

“Throughout my career, my vision has been to foster connection through art, actively contributing to the shaping and enrichment of culture,” said Hadar. “Witnessing the remarkable work Eleven 17 does in telling stories of Hawai‘i, by Hawai‘i, for the community has inspired my decision to join the team. I’ve always felt that with the talent in my circle of friends, we could achieve that and truly change the world,” he continued.

Hadar resides in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.