We Tried It: Hawai‘i Selfie Exhibit

Photo: Andrea Lee

Who: A trio of writers from HONOLULU Magazine

What: An interactive and immersive selfie exhibit with murals and backdrops where you can take pictures with family and friends

Where: Pearlridge Center Wai Makai, 98-130 Pali Momi St.

When: A Thursday afternoon

The Hawai‘i Selfie Exhibit opened last December at Pearlridge Center as an immersive gallery where you can take pictures with friends in fun, interactive exhibits. Owner Keo Akana says he saw a similar concept in Japan about six years ago during a trip and wanted to bring it home to Hawai‘i. “It was a fun project to put together, and it’s geared for all ages,” he says. “I loved how the Japan exhibit had Japanese themes in it, so we wanted to do a Hawai‘i-themed one.”

Three of us from HONOLULU Magazine had the opportunity to check it out firsthand. If you’re not familiar with Pearlridge Center, the Hawai‘i Selfie Exhibit is located right by the stairs that go up to the theaters, on the same floor at Razor Sports, Hallmark and Dunkin’.

Photo: Andrea Lee

As we check in, the staff member at the front desk gives us waivers to sign and explains how it works. He shares that there are 40 different installations that incorporates illusion and three-dimensional art. You can borrow a selfie stick that also extends into a tripod or bring your own.

Some of the artworks have props that you can use. He guides us through the first one—a red chair that is spaced a certain way so when you take the picture at the right angle, your friend will look larger than life while the other person is tiny. This would have been challenging to master without his help—you’ll need to find the precise angle to create the illusion.

It’s pretty empty on a weekday afternoon, and the three of us had fun figuring out how the illusions work and how to use the props. The space is large and bright, and the vibrant, playful art murals are created by O‘ahu artist Luke DeKneef. You may have seen some of his murals in Kaka‘ako for World Wide Walls.

SEE ALSO: Wall to Wall: Murals Paint the East Side

Many of the artwork he created for this exhibit are Hawai‘i-inspired, like a larger-than-life Spam musubi that you can “punch,” two shave ice with straws, a slippah that’s ready to “smash” you like a cockroach, giant Japanese tea cups, a sushi bento box that you can climb inside and hold “noodles” or the “The 100 Most Influential Hammahs in Hawai‘i” background. My favorite installation was a room that plays around with the concept of gravity—the final product makes you look like you’re doing a handstand on a checkerboard ceiling.

The Hawai‘i Selfie Exhibit is tentatively slated to open throughout summer, but it may close beforehand or stay open later, so check @hawaiiselfieexhibit for updates. Prices are $30 on weekends, $25 weekdays, and free for keiki under 2, $15 for keiki ages 3 to 9. Prices may vary on holidays.

Photos: Andrea Lee

Tips:

• Bring a large group of friends that you’re comfortable with or go with family. Be silly, have fun and be creative with the props. This isn’t the time to be shy!
• Go on a weekday morning or early afternoon to avoid crowds as weekends are typically busy.
• The provided selfie stick and tripod is useful to set up pictures on a timer. Technically not a selfie! But the selfie stick does not have a remote, so you’ll need to time your selfies too when using it. Consider bringing your own selfie stick or tripod or taking turns with friends to be the designated photographer.
• It took some time to get comfortable with the concept of the illusions and 3D art. If you’re not sure what to do or how to pose, check out the sample picture next to each installation that gives an example of the final look. Or just ask the staff. They are there to help!
• It would take about an hour to go through the exhibit, depending on your group size and how much fun you have. There is a 90-minute time limit.
• For those with kids: there’s a restroom outside across from Funtastic Kidzone. While you’re not allowed to leave and re-enter the exhibit, you can if it’s for a potty break.

hawaiiselfieexhibit.com, @hawaiiselfieexhibit