Image description: closeup detail of “Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi” showing surface texture.
The SFCA Board of Commissioners has approved the loan of “Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi” by Bernice Akamine from the Art in Public Places Collection of the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA) to the British Museum for an upcoming exhibition.
At the July 18, 2025 meeting, board commissioners reviewed and approved the non-state loan request. From the staff report: “Approving ‘Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi’ by Bernice Akamine to the British Museum supports a significant international exhibition that centers Hawaiian sovereignty, resilience, and the complex entanglements between Hawaiʻi and Great Britain. Marking the 200th anniversary of King Liholiho and Queen Kamāmalu’s historic visit to London, [this exhibition] aims to deepen public understanding of this shared history by presenting seldom-seen Hawaiian cultural treasures alongside contemporary works by Native Hawaiian artists. Akamine’s Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi would be a crucial part of the exhibition’s third section, which foregrounds Indigenous perspectives and resistance. The inclusion of this work not only honors Akamine’s artistry and research into traditional kapa-making practices, but also reinforces the SFCA’s commitment to amplifying Native Hawaiian voices in a global setting.
Venue is climate-controlled with trained security. Comprehensive wall-to-wall insurance will be provided throughout the run of the loan. Installation, facilities, and security will conform to the highest industry standards.”
The “Hawaiʻi: a kingdom crossing oceans” exhibition at the British Museum is scheduled for January 15 – May 25, 2026.
About the artist Bernice Akamine
Bernice Ann Keolamauloaonalani Akamine (née Bernice Ann Keolamauloaonalani Miyamoto; born December 1, 1949 – June 14, 2024) exhibited both nationally and internationally. Akamine was a Native Hawaiian traditional artist and Hawaiian rights activist. Her visual art took multiple forms, including glass and featherwork, and she taught traditional Hawaiian art techniques such as the creation of kapa cloth and natural dyeing using Hawaiian plants.
About the artwork “Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi”
“Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi” was inspired by Hawaiian flag quilts from the late 19th– early 20th century but was created with handmade kapa (Hawaiian bark cloth) instead of cotton. Most Hawaiian flag quilts were made from imported cotton fabrics. Akamine’s quilt was created from laboriously beating and processing wauke or paper mulberry, along with testing, planning, cutting and stitching. For the artist, the concept of the work came first, followed by the pattern or structure. She explained, “Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi” strips the Hawaiian flag quilt down to its most basic element, the Hawaiian flag and speaks of patriotic pride and perseverance of the lāhui.”
Previously displayed at Capitol Modern: the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum in the “ACCESSION” exhibit (February 10, 2023 – February 2, 2024) and the “ʻAi ā manō” exhibit for “KE AO LAMA, Enlightened World – FestPAC 2024” (June 7 – December 31, 2024).
“Kapa Moe: Hae Hawaiʻi” in virtual tours of exhibits
- View the virtual tour of “ACCESSION”: iGuide 3D Tour for Accession.
- View the virtual tour of “ʻAi ā manō”: iGuide 3D Tour for ʻAi ā manō.