The Creative Micronesia program is a partnership with the The Medical-Legal Partnership for Children, Hawai‘i William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa; the East-West Center Arts Program; the Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Capitol Modern: the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, and Micronesian community groups.
“Arts of Oceania” mini-exhibition
Ground floor display from August 7 – October 1, 2026 featuring newly acquired Micronesian and Melanesian artwork from the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection, alongside Māori wind instruments and traditional Native Hawaiian and Māori weapons by Kalama Fallau (on loan to the exhibit from the artist).
Creative Micronesia: Music, Movement, Poetry and Fashion
Events at Capitol Modern: the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum showcasing cultures from across the islands of Micronesia. Events include hands-on art activities for all ages, traditional and contemporary fashion and performances, and poetry.
Saturday August 8, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Guest emcees: Maya Soetoro and Carol Ann Carl
- Opening protocol by the youth of Pacific Voices
- Traditional and contemporary dance performances representing various Micronesian islands
- Fashion show featuring Micronesian skirts modeled by members of Micronesian communities
- Poetry inspired by Micronesian skirts performed by Hawaiʻi-based Pacific Islander poets
- Guest MCs: Maya Soetero and Carol Ann Carl
- Opening of new mini-exhibit “Arts of Oceania” in first floor display case. Reception 2:00-3:00 p.m. Meet artist Kalama Fallau and learn more about the Native Hawaiian and Māori handmade weapons on loan to the exhibit.
Saturday August 15, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Super Saturday
- Hands-on art activities with Micronesian and Pacific Islands artists Kalany Omengkar, Carol Ann Carl, Gillian Dueñas, Mary Hattori, Philios Uruman, and Anthony Watson. Family-friendly activities include coconut frond weaving, printmaking, drawing/coloring, and poetry
- Music of Micronesia by Xavier Fethal
- Vendors selling Micronesian islands-inspired jewelry, apparel, lei, art, and more
The museum cafe, Nui Kealoha, will be open during the event.
Saturday, August 22, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Fashion show featuring traditional attire presented by the Chuuk Language and Cultural Association and contemporary apparel designed by Kalany Omengkar and Manny Crisostomo
- Poetry featuring Hawaiʻi-based Micronesian poets
- Traditional and contemporary dance performances: Marshallese Church group and Pohnpei womens group
The museum cafe, Nui Kealoha, will be open during the event.
Media Contacts
Creative Micronesia
Mary Therese Hattori
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 808-797-0475
Owning the Narrative
Carol Ann Carl
Project Coordinator
Medical-Legal Partnership for Children in Hawai‘i
William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Email: [email protected]