The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Artist Jana Ireijo speaks during the presentation of her vanishing mural Wednesday morning at the Maui Ocean Center in Maalaea. Ireijo explained that two-thirds of the mural was created with acrylic paint and one-third with chalk that will fade away in the elements. This “vanishing” illustrates the impacts of climate change on vulnerable species and habitats, such as the bleaching of coral reefs. Ireijo is a Baldwin High graduate, class of 1986, and currently resides in Westport, Connecticut. In attendance were her parents, retired 2nd Circuit Court Judge Joel August and Rona August. The mural was commissioned by The Nature Conservancy and presented in partnership with the Maui Ocean Center and the MOC Marine Institute. Coral are animals that can suffer bleaching and death from stressors like warming seas due to climate change, sediment runoff, nutrient runoff, overuse and overfishing. Ireijo said she hopes her mural will help inspire action