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Arts and Culture Calendar (September 2023)

September 1, 2023
exhibit graphic with photos of two artists

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.

Workshops and Classes

  • Bishop Museum “Ola Ka Noʻeau: 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. September 2 and 3, Lei Hulu Humupapa workshop with Kawika Lum-Nelmida; October 28, makau workshop with ʻUmi Kai. Learn more about the exhibit and workshops on the Bishop Museum website: BishopMuseum.org/okn.
  • Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center (Makawao, Maui) offers “Art with Heart” free hands-on art projects and activities for all ages on Saturdays September 2, and September 9, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. For more information, please visit the Hui Noʻeau website: HuiNoeau.com/art-events/2023/8/art-with-heart-at-the-hui.
  • Mānoa Heritage Center Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke Workshops. These workshops are supported in part by grant funding from the SFCA. For more information and to register, please visit the MHC website: ManoaHeritageCenter.org.
    • Native Plant Journal with Margo Vitarelli, September 7
    • Palm Husk Workshop with Dianne Ige, September 9
  • Hawaiʻi Watercolor Society activities during the “Reflections in Water” exhibit at the East-West Center (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu)
    • Watercolor painting workshop September 9
    • ʻOhana Day with family-friendly activities October 1
    • For more information, please visit the East-West Center website: EastWestCenter.org/education/arts-program/gallery-exhibition-reflections-water-2023-hawaii-watercolor-society-open.
  • Kauaʻi Songwriters Music Festival Workshops Saturday, October 14, 2023 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay. Workshop presenters Kealoha (performance), Ken Emerson (slack and steel guitar), Jason Blume (6 steps to songwriting success), and Rock Hendricks (production and engineering). Concert to follow, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. For more information, please visit the Arts Kauaʻi website: ArtsKauai.org.
  • US Small Business Administration (SBA) (Hawaiʻi Pacific Islands)
    • Starting a Small Business in Hawaiʻi online webinar, Tuesday September 12, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. Register on the SBA website: sba.gov/event/30158. Wednesday November 15, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Register on the SBA website: sba.gov/event/28567.Live Business Mentoring and Learning: Quickbooks free online workshop with individual sessions.Tuesday September 12, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Register on the SBA website: sba.gov/event/34738.
    • How to Launch Your e-commerce and Start Your Online Business free online webinar on how to successfully launch and run your online store. Wednesday September 27, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Register on the SBA website: sba.gov/event/34741.

Art Exhibitions

  • “7 Degrees North – The Arts of Micronesia” exhibit features contemporary and traditional artwork by artists of Micronesian ancestry who live in Hawaiʻi. On view at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Hamilton Library Bridge Gallery through November 24, 2023. Free and open to the public during Hamilton Library’s building hours. Read more on the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa website: manoa.hawaii.edu/library/about/news-events/exhibits/7-degrees-north.
  • 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.
  • First Hawaiian Center gallery at First Hawaiian Bank (downtown Honolulu) “Elements” exhibit with Kamran Samimi, Kalani Largusa, Lonny Tomono through December 2, 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, Kahilu Theatre Galleries (Waimea, Hawaiʻi Island) August 24 – October 30, 2023. For more information, the Handweavers’ Hui website at HawaiiHandweavers.org. Exhibit videos – juror walkthrough and artist interviews – are now available on YouTube. Go to the Hawaiʻi Handweavers’ Hui YouTube page to view: https://www.youtube.com/@hawaiihandweavershui.
  • Hawaiʻi State Art Museum new exhibits “Fear of the Unknown” and “Creatures and Characters” now open. First Friday all-ages art and music event September 1, 6-9 p.m., The Vibe live all-ages music event Friday September 8, 6-9 p.m. More information on the State Art Museum website calendar: hisam.hawaii.gov/calendar.
  • “Reflections in Water” Hawaiʻi Watercolor Society exhibition at the East-West Center (University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu) through October 1, 2023. Watercolor painting workshop September 9 and ʻOhana Day with family-friendly activities October 1. For more information, please visit the East-West Center website: EastWestCenter.org/education/arts-program/gallery-exhibition-reflections-water-2023-hawaii-watercolor-society-open.
  • Mālama Wao Akua 2023 exhibit at the Hui Noʻeau Visual Arts Center (Makawao, Maui) in collaboration with East Maui Watershed Partnership September 9 – November 3, 2023. Juried art exhibit celebrating the native species of Maui Nui. Opening reception Friday, September 8, 5-8 p.m. In-person juror walk-through Thursday, September 14, 5:00 p.m.
    • Talk Story Thursdays at Hui Noʻeau in conjunction with the exhibit, a different industry leader from the field of conservation will be hosted on the following dates:
    • September 21, 5:00 p.m. Zach Pezzillo, Technician for Maui Nui Plant Extinction Prevention Program
    • October 12, 5:00 p.m. Michael Walker – State Fire Protection Forestor, Department of Land and Natural Resources/Department of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR/DOFAW)
    • October 19, 5:00 p.m. Keahi Bustamente, DLNR/DOFAW Maui Nui Program Coordinator for Hawaiʻi Invertebrate Program
    • November 2, 5:00 p.m. Dr. Arthur Medeiros, Program Manager for Auwahi Restoration Project
  • Kauaʻi Society of Artists, KSA Gallery.
    • “Art Kauaʻi 2023” September 16 – October 27
    • “Small Works Show” November 18-January 5, 2024
  • Leeward Community College (Pearl City, Oʻahu): “Facing Future: Faculty Exhibition Past & Present” at the Hō’ikeākea Gallery, September 8 – October 14, 2023. Exhibition opening reception (open to the public) on Friday, September 8, 6:00-9:00pm, Art Building. For more information, please visit the Leeward Community College website: leeward.hawaii.edu/the-arts#hoikeakea.
  • Wailoa Arts Center 2023 Exhibits (Hilo, Hawaiʻi Island)
    • “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
    • “Honolulu New Painting Invitational”, August 27 – October 22, 2023. The Art Gallery, University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa. Exhibit opening reception Sunday August 27, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Public lecture series:
      • September 19, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., Wooden Wave (Matthew and Roxanne Ortiz)
      • September 28, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Eduardo Enrique Joaquin
      • October 19, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m., Kainoa Kruspe
    • “Abstract Fragments” faculty exhibition, August 27 – September 30, 2023. Commons Gallery, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
    • “Jean Charlot as Critic: Art in Hawaiʻi, 1950-1970”, opening 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. August 27 at the John Young Museum of Art.
    • Learn more on the UHM Art and Art History Department website: hawaii.edu/art/exhibitions-events-museum.

Performances and Presentations

  • 47th Annual Honolulu Intertribal Powwow 2023 at the Bishop Museum, September 9 and 10. Each year, hundreds of people gather to celebrate Native American heritages, pass on indigenous traditions, build communities, and learn about Native American cultural diversity. For more information, please visit the Bishop Museum website: GoHawaii.com/islands/events/48th-annual-honolulu-intertribal-powwow.
  • Bishop Museum 2nd Annual Kāhuli Festival Saturday September 23, 3:00 – 9:00 p.m. “Join us for the 2nd Annual Kāhuli Festival to celebrate the Year of the Kāhuli. This year’s festival theme will be focused on increasing capacity and building awareness. It will showcase Bishop Museum’s and its many partners’ efforts in research, conservation, and education of this rich biocultural resource, and brings together the community of research and conservation partners, along with artists and community members that represent the collective effort necessary to save these jewels of the forest and the ecosystems on which we all rely.” For more information, please visit the Bishop Museum website: BishopMuseum.org/calendar/Kahuli-Festival-2023.
  • “Under the Blue” Honolulu Theatre for Youth free theatrical performances at Hawaiʻi State Public Libraries. Join us as we investigate the various layers of the ocean and explore our aquatic wonderland through music, puppetry, and a lot of imagination! “Under the Blue” will feature topics about the environment, science, ocean life, and visual art. This free 40‐minute performance is suitable for ages 3 and older. Young children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver. Sponsored generously by the Friends of the Library of Hawai‘i.
  • Honolulu Theatre for Youth’s new musical, “The Royal School”, is set in the short lived school for children of Hawaiian royalty. The play, which takes place in the 1840’s, combines contemporary music with one of the most important historical moments in the kingdom of Hawaiʻi. 9/08, 9/16, 10/01, and 10/07. Learn more on the HTY website: membership.htyweb.org/the-royal-school-2023.
  • Kauaʻi Songwriters Music Festival Saturday, October 14, 2023 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay. Workshops 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For more information, please visit the Arts Kauaʻi website: ArtsKauai.org.
  • Naʻalehu Public Library (Hawaiʻi Island) “Pilina Project: Weaving Relationships Between Manu, People, and Hawaiʻi” presentation September 26, 2023 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information please visit the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System website: LibrariesHawaii.org/event/pilina-project-weaving-relationships-between-manu-people-and-hawaii.
  • 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-Mānoa (UHM) Better Tomorrow Speaker Series: incisive conversations on the most important questions of our time.
    • Maia Kobabe, “Words Unbound: Protecting Our Stories and Challenging the New Censorship”, Tuesday September 5, 3:00 p.m. Learn more and register on the UHM website: manoa.hawaii.edu/speakers.
    • 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.
  • University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Kennedy Theatre
    • “Kaisara” in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre. Written and Directed by Iāsona Kaper, MFA Hawaiian Theatre Student. September 20-24, 2023 – WED/FRI 7:30pm & SUN 2:00pm and 7:30pm In 1896, four scenes from William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar” were translated into ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi by James N. K. Keola and published in “Ka Nupepa Kuokoa.” What would have happened if Keola had asked other Kanaka Maoli intellectuals of his time to participate in a reading of these scenes? “Kaisara” imagines this gathering, exploring the intersection between Shakespeare’s portrayal of Ancient Rome and the political landscape of Hawaiʻi in the 1890s to ask timeless questions about division, conspiracy, and political violence.
    • “Haku Wale” showcases the original music of our talented songwriters at UH Mānoa. Crossing many genres and exploring various themes, this concert highlights and elevates the original music of our university’s skilled storytellers through song. “If music be the food of love, jam em!” Directed by Joshua “Baba” Kamoani‘ala Tavares, MFA Acting & Hawaiian Theatre Student. October 21-22 and 27, 29, 2023.
    • For more information, please visit the Kennedy Theatre website: manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage/kennedy-theatre/upcoming-season.
  • University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Outreach College

This post was most recently updated on September 12, 2023.

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