Painting Across the Pacific: The Story Behind the Pacific Islands Region Mural

Mural painting on the inside wall of a Red Cross building of a Red Cross volunteer helping another person and a Red Cross volunteer with a soldier in camo.

August 06, 2026

By Shannon Carley/American Red Cross

Through the windows of the Hawai‘i Red Cross’s new community room, you can see the face of Diamond Head looking down on the chapter office. Looking back into the room, that same mountain is depicted on the wall. From there, a mural flows from Diamond Head through the Pacific Ocean to Two Lovers Point in Guam, the latte stones in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and to the twin islands of Fatu and Futi in American Samoa. Throughout each of these islands the Red Cross Pacific Islands Region remains a constant. These images serve as a physical representation and reflection of the region’s mission, history and the communities it serves.

Mural painting on the inside wall of a Red Cross building of a flower, lake and mountain.

When developing this mural, it was key to highlight the unity amongst the islands. Though separated by thousands of miles of water, all the islands are connected by a shared commitment to humanity, service and community resilience. The center of the mural represents the heart of the Red Cross’s mission delivery. Here you can see a Red Cross volunteer helping a community member and another assisting those who serve in our military. The figures in the mural represent the many volunteers and staff members who support disaster response, preparedness efforts and the Red Cross’s work supporting members of the armed forces and military families.

Standing behind them is a banyan tree. Across the Pacific trees often symbolize strength, shelter and deep roots. The banyan reminds us of the resilience of Pacific Islanders and the shared roots and foundation through which they support one another.

Mural painting on the inside wall of a Red Cross building of Clara Barton.

In the background are two silhouetted figures from the past whose values are present in the organization’s daily work. The first is Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. During the American Civil War she bravely provided nursing care and supplies to soldiers — activities that ultimately defined her life and earned her the nickname, Angel of the Battlefield. Later during a trip to Switzerland in 1869, Clara learned about the Red Cross movement, a European humanitarian effort to provide neutral aid to those injured in combat. Inspired by that cause, Clara volunteered with the International Committee of the Red Cross, providing civilian relief during the Franco-Prussian War. This experience, along with her work during the Civil War, inspired Clara to bring the Red Cross movement to America on May 21, 1881.

The second figure is Queen Liliʻuokalani who became a patron in perpetuity of the American Red Cross in September 1917 with a $100 donation, a significant contribution at the time. Her patronage supported the launch of the first Red Cross membership drive in Hawaiʻi, which raised more than $16,000 and enrolled approximately 16,000 members, representing a substantial portion of Oʻahu’s population. During this period, while living at Washington Place, the Queen, with the assistance of helpers, sewed a large Red Cross flag. At her request, the flag flew above ʻIolani Palace throughout World War I as a visible sign of support for humanitarian relief efforts.

The Queen described the flag as “an expression of my warm and hearty sympathy for the cause of humanity.” Today, the flag is preserved and displayed in the boardroom of the Hawaiʻi Red Cross headquarters, next door to the mural.

The mural honors both the past and the present of the Red Cross in the Pacific Islands. It is a celebration of the people, cultures, communities and values that define the region. It is for the volunteers who answer the call, the donors and partners who make the work possible and all the generations of leaders who have carried the mission forward.

Jeff Gress in the process of painting the mural on the inside wall of a Red Cross building.

The Red Cross Pacific Islands Region is deeply grateful to the artist who made this vision come to life. Jeff Gress is a Honolulu-based artist, designer, and muralist who says his work centers on culturally grounded visual storytelling.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be involved in a project with an incredible organization like the Red Cross who have served so many communities and provided support for those in need.” – Jeff Gress

For years to come this mural will serve as a reminder and representation of the shared history, culture and mission throughout the Pacific Islands Region.

"This mural is more than a work of art. It is a powerful reflection of the people, cultures and history that make the Red Cross across the Pacific Islands Region so extraordinary. Stretching across the ʻāina, we honor our shared commitment to humanity and the spirit of service that connects us and inspires us to care for one another in times of need.”

– Molly Schmidt, CEO, American Red Cross Pacific Islands Region

To learn more about Jeff Gress and his work go to jgress.com

About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org/hawaii or follow us on social media.