Celebrated Honolulu Street Artist Creates Powerful 12-Foot Mural of MMA Champion Max Holloway
Athletes training at the Tactical Strength & Conditioning gym in Moiliili are now inspired by a 12-foot tall
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Max Holloway mural staring back at them.
Created by renowned Honolulu street artist Tehrell Porter, the massive portrait captures Holloway’s emotion-laden roar of victory taken after he knocked out Justin Gaethje for the UFC BMF title this past April. “It really pushed me to reach another level of my craftsmanship,” Porter says of the piece, which took 20 hours to complete.
While Holloway is clearly a natural subject for an artist who specializes in capturing the energy and intensity of athletes, the piece presented its own unique challenges.
“Holloway’s tattoos proved to be my biggest artistic challenge to date,” Porter confessed.
A Honolulu native, Porter has gained acclaim nationwide for his hyper-realistic murals, particularly his many tributes to the late Kobe Bryant. Seven of Porter’s Bryant portraits adorn walls across Oahu.
But this project surprised even himself. Required to make countless cold calls to gyms across Oahu, Porter’s persistence finally paid off when Tactical Strength – Holloway’s home gym – responded.
Beyond Athletes
Porter isn’t just committed to immortalizing athletes on city walls. His portfolio encompasses a variety of influential figures and even beloved personalities like Dragon Ball Z. For Porter, the subject matters mixed with a commitment to public art that brightens everyday life.
This artistic dedication began early in his life. He credits his aunt, who, instead of punishment for poorer grades, would assign him National Geographic magazines, igniting a lifelong fascination with nature. Today, Porter uses his murals to depict some of the most beautiful animals, only now they’re vertical behemoths adorning Oahu’s walls.
His iconic
whale mural greets visitors at Ala Moana’s Teapresso, while at Ku’ai Ranch, one can find an epic scene of King Kong wrestling a dinosaur.
When he’s not paying homage to pro athletes, Porter often pays tribute to human figures of historical and cultural significance. One of his more recent projects was a mural of basketball legend Bill Walton.
The unique tribute was not painted on canvas, but on a backboard Porter personally hoisted for shots and dunks at Maui Invitational, where Walton worked as a commentator for many years, a fitting tribute to the bigger-than-life personality. The Maui mural adds a playfulness to his repertoire. His ”
planned tribute
” to
Allen Iverson further emphasizes this intent. “The Answer” stepping over Tyronn Lue during the iconic 48-point performance will capture a feeling, not just a pose.
Until Porter finds a canvas for his eighth rendition of the late, great Kobe Bryant on Oahu’s skyline, this newly completed mural of Holloway might just be his pride and joy. He’s not ready to say for sure — there’s still so much art to create to make Oahu’s public spaces even more vibrant.
What inspired Tehrell Porter to choose Tactical Strength & Conditioning gym as the location for his Max Holloway mural?
## A Portrait of Pride: Tehrell Porter on His Max Holloway Mural
Today, we’re joined by Honolulu artist Tehrell Porter, whose latest work is turning heads at the Tactical Strength & Conditioning gym. Tehrell, welcome to the show.
**Tehrell:** Thanks for having me!
**Host:** This massive 12-foot mural of Max Holloway is truly impressive. What inspired you to tackle such a project?
**Tehrell:** Well, Max is a local hero, a champ who inspires so many here in Honolulu. Capturing his energy and intensity after that knockout victory against Justin Gaethje felt like the perfect tribute. [[Source Noise-text can’t determine]]
**Host:** You’re known for your hyper-realistic style, particularly your Kobe Bryant murals. How did this project compare in terms of challenge?
**Tehrell:** Max’s tattoos were probably the biggest hurdle! [[Source Noise-text can’t determine]]. Recreating those intricate designs on such a large scale was definitely a test of my skills.
**Host:** You mentioned reaching a new level of craftsmanship. What was it about this project that pushed you further?
**Tehrell:** This mural wasn’t just about technical skill, it was about conveying Max’s spirit. Seeing those athletes at Tactical Strength train every day, working hard to reach their own goals, it made me want to create something truly inspiring for them. [[Source Noise-text can’t determine]]
**Host:** I understand this piece required some persistence on your end. Did finding the right location for the mural pose any difficulties?
**Tehrell:** Absolutely! I had to reach out to a lot of gyms before Tactical Strength & Conditioning embraced the idea. [[Source Noise-text can’t determine]]But their enthusiasm made it all worthwhile. They understood the powerful message this mural sends.
**Host:** You’ve immortalized athletes, beloved pop culture icons, and more. What draws you to these subjects?
**Tehrell:** I’m fascinated by people who leave a mark on the world, whether it’s through inspiring athletic achievements or captivating our imaginations. [[Source Noise-text can’t determine]]. My goal is to capture their essence through my art and share their stories with the community.
**Host:** Tehrell Porter, thank you so much for sharing your insights and your talent with us. We can’t wait to see what inspiring subjects you choose to bring to life next.
