This arts and culture calendar features SFCA grantees, partners, and Hawaiʻi state and local government programs and events. Questions regarding a particular program or event should be directed to the organization listed with the opportunity. Inclusion here should not be interpreted as an endorsement.
Shorter versions of these monthly lists are published in the SFCA email newsletter. Read past issues and subscribe: SFCA email newsletter archive and signup form.
Image: “MINU GA HANA” intaglio print by Tiana Honda, Art in Public Places Collection of the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts. On view in the “Fear of the Unknown” exhibit at the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, opening July 7, 2023.
Workshops and Classes
- Bishop Museum “Ola Ka No’eau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry” exhibit features artwork from 13 notable Hawaiian artists. Public programming includes a series of Living Culture workshops by some of the featured artists. July 23, Niho ʻOki (utility knife) workshop with ʻUmi Kai. August 12 and 13, Lei Hulu Kāmoe with Kawika Lum-Nelmeida. August 13, Kōkō Pūʻalu with ʻUmi Kai. Learn more about the exhibit and workshops on the Bishop Museum website: BishopMuseum.org/okn.
- Hawaiʻi Contemporary Pau Hanas informal gatherings to connect with community and listening sessions for Hawaiʻi Contemporary and the curators of Hawaiʻi Triennial 2025.
- Honolulu Chinatown Town Hall, Friday July 14, 6:00 p.m., Native Books at Arts and Letters.
- Pau Hana at Hui Noʻeau (Makawao, Maui), Thursday July 20, 5:00 p.m.
- Pau Hana at Hale Hōʻikeʻike (Wailuku, Maui), Friday July 21, 5:00 p.m.
- For more information and to RSVP, please visit the Hawaiʻi Contemporary website: HawaiiContemporary.org/publicprograms.
- Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking Summer Reel Camps – filmmaking programs for girls and non-binary youth aged 12-19 years old. Basic Reel: July 10 – 21. Advanced Reel: July 24 – 28. For more information please visit the Hawaiʻi Women in Filmmaking website: HawaiiWomenInFilmmaking.org/reel-camps.
- Hui Noʻeau Youth Art Camps (Maui, Makawao)
- Teens and Tweens Art Academy (ages 11+). Develop creativity and fundamental art skills by exploring the wide variety of art media offered at the Hui. Session 1: June 19-23. Session 2: July 17-21. To learn more and register, and to see more classes for youth and adults, please visit the Hui Noʻeau website: HuiNoeau.com/all-classes.
- Kahilu Theatre Summer 2023 Workshops for Kids (Hawaiʻi Island, Waimea)
- 2023 Kahilu Performing Arts Workshop/Camp July 17-28. Summer musical theater and performing arts camp. Ages 7-12 years.
- Kapena School of Music July 1-August 4. Beginner to intermediate level ʻukulele, voice, and intro to music theory. Ages 7-13 years.
- For more information and to register: kahilu.jumbula.com/#/kahilu-performing-arts-workshop-camp-kpaw.
- Mānoa Heritage Center Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke Workshops (Honolulu, Oʻahu)
- Kapa workshop with Kumu Wes Sen, July 15
- Nature Journaling Open House with Kate Righter, July 15
- ʻEke Lauhala with Kumu Wes Sen, August 5
- Papa Hula a ʻŌlelo – Phase 2, 8 sessions August 12 – September 30
- Hawaiian Style Bonsai with Dr. Rick Wagner, August 12
- For more information and to register: ManoaHeritageCenter.org.
- US Small Business Administration (SBA) (Hawaiʻi Pacific Islands)
- Starting an LGBTQ+ Business, online webinar Tuesday July 18, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Requirements to Access a Commercial Kitchen, online webinar Wednesday July 19, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- Accounting for Creatives, in-person workshop, Wednesday July 26, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Online webinar, Tuesday August 15, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
- View the full SBA Hawaiʻi-Pacific Islands event calendar on the SBA website: sba.gov/events?district=13.
Art Exhibitions
- Bishop Museum in partnership with the PAʻI Foundation’s Maoli Arts Movement (MAMo) initiative presents “Ola Ka Noʻeau: Excellence in Hawaiian Artistry” through October 29, 2023. This exhibition explores the genealogy of Hawaiian artistry, particularly through generational transmission of knowledge. Works on view include examples of featherwork, barkcloth, toolmaking, decorated gourds, visual design, and plaiting. For more information, please visit the Bishop Museum website: BishopMuseum.org/OKN.
- Donkey Mill Art Center (Hawaiʻi Island) “Mai Ka Pouli: (Re)Presentations of Moananuiākea through July 8, 2023. Free admission. For more information, please visit the Donkey Mill Art Center website: DonkeyMillArtCenter.org/event/?event=4341.
- Donkey Mill Art Center (Hawaiʻi Island) “Forces of Nature: Young Artist Exhibition” July 14 – August 12, 2023. Free admission. Exhibit features artworks by over 30 young artists creating meaningful connections with the natural world during this year’s Donkey Mill Art Center Summer Art Experience programs. For more information, please visit the Donkey Mill Art Center website: DonkeyMillArtCenter.org/event/?event=4932.
- East Hawaiʻi Cultural Center (EHCC) “Every Body is All We Have” exhibit through August 25, 2023. Featuring artists Reem Bassous, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Katarzyna Kozyra, Sue Schroeder, Jennifer Scully-Thurston, and Maga Ćwieluch. For more information, please visit the EHCC website: ehcc.org/content/every-body-all-we-have.
- First Hawaiian Center gallery at First Hawaiian Bank (downtown Honolulu) exhibit “Hawaiʻiā intersecting flows” Margo Ray, Jisoo Boggs, Carl F.K. Pao, on view April 16 – August 19, 2023.
- Hawaiʻi Craftsmen Annual Statewide Exhibition 2023 open September 30 – October 28 at the Downtown Art Center (Honolulu), opening reception Saturday September 30, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. For more information, please visit the Hawaiʻi Craftsmen website: HawaiiCraftsmen.org.
- Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui and The Glass Fusion Collective “Surrounded by Water” juried art exhibition, Downtown Art Center (Honolulu), August 2-18, 2023. For more information, please contact the Hawaiʻi Handweavers Hui at [email protected] or visit their website at HawaiiHandweavers.org.
- Hawaiʻi State Art Museum “Fear of the Unknown” exhibit opens July 7 (closing date to be determined). Artist reception Friday July 7, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- Kauaʻi Society of Artists, KSA Gallery.
- “Leonora Orr with Artful Friends” July 6-30
- “Andrea Cesarek: Dusk Patrol” August 4-10,
- “Celebrating Hawaiian Honeycreepers” Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project August 12-16
- “Garden Island Quilters” August 18-26
- “Art Kauaʻi 2023” September 16 – October 27
- “Small Works Show” November 18-January 5, 2024
- Leeward Community College (Pearl City, Oʻahu): the new Hōʻikeākea Gallery has opened and will showcase works from LCC students, faculty, and other artists. Learn more on the LCC Arts website (Leeward.hawaii.edu/the-arts). The first exhibition, “ʻAi Pōhaku, Stone Eaters”, pays homage to Hawaiian artists and culture bearers, and offers audiences an opportunity to form meaningful connections to their diverse work while ensuring that their story-telling, through art, is sustained in their ancestral homelands and abroad. Exhibit open through August 25, 2023.
- Wailoa Arts Center 2023 Exhibits (Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island)
- “In the Time of Climate Change” July 7-27, 2023
- “13th Annual Abstract Only!” August 4 – September 14, 2023
- “Toi o Taranaki ke ti Tonga” October 6-26, 2023
- “15th Annual Hawaiʻi Nei” November 3 – December 14, 2023
- Learn more on the Wailoa Arts Center website: WailoaCenter.com.
- University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa Department of Art and Art History
- “Emotional Identity” student-curated exhibit in the Commons Gallery, May 21 – July 2, 2023.
- Learn more on the UHM Art and Art History Department website: hawaii.edu/art/exhibitions-events-museum.
Performances and Presentations
- Hawaiʻi State Public Library System free events at public libraries include storytime, crafting, and music performances. Learn more about public library events on the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System website: LibrariesHawaii.org/events. Below are just a few of the free events and presentations happening this summer:
- “An Era of Change: Oral Histories of Civilians in World War II Hawaiʻi”, Kailua-Kona Public Library (Hawaiʻi Island), Saturday July 1, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
- “Stories with Janine Oshiro” Waiʻanae Public Library (Oʻahu), Wednesday July 12, 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.
- “Slack Key with Jeff Peterson” North Kohala Public Library (Hawaiʻi Island), Thursday July 13, 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.
- “Hawaiian Classical Guitar with Ian O’Sullivan” Molokaʻi Public Library (Molokaʻi), Wednesday July 19, 5:00 – 5:45 p.m.
- Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s television show, “The HI Way”, is available online for HTY members: membership.htyweb.org/about-the-hi-way.
- Kalihi-Pālama Culture and Arts Society’s 2023 Queen Liliʻuokalani Keiki Hula Competition, July 27, 28, and 29 at the Brigham Young University-Hawaii Cannon Activities Center (Laie, Oʻahu). For more information, please visit the Kalihi-Pālama Culture and Arts Society website: KeikiHula.org.
- Manoa Valley Theatre presents “The Chinese Lady” July 13-30. Open mic night July 19, 7:00 p.m. For more information, please visit the MVT website: ManoaValleyTheatre.com.
- Moanalua Gardens Foundation 46th Annual Prince Lot Hula Festival, Saturday July 15, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Frank F. Fasi Civic Grounds (Honolulu). Free and open to the public. For more information, please visit the Moanalua Gardens Foundation website: MoanaluaGardensFoundation.org/live-festival.
- Royal Hawaiian Band free lunchtime concerts at Iolani Palace every Friday at noon. For more information call 808-522-0822 or visit www.IolaniPalace.org.
- University of Hawaiʻi System
- Hōʻikeākea Gallery, Leeward Community College: artists discussion about ʻAi Pōhaku exhibit with Kaili Chun, Herman Piʻikea Clark, Kapulani Landgraf, and Abigail Romanchak. Saturday, July 15, 2023, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, https://www.leeward.hawaii.edu/the-arts#hoikeakea
- University of Hawaiʻi-Mānoa (UHM) Better Tomorrow Speaker Series: incisive conversations on the most important questions of our time.
- Julian Aguon, Indigenous human rights lawyer, Thursday, September 21, 2023 (details to be announced). Learn more and register on the UHM website: manoa.hawaii.edu/speakers.
This post was last updated July 13, 2023.