Explore Local Works at Leeward Community College’s New Art Gallery
Hō‘ikeākea Gallery’s first exhibition runs until Aug. 25, 2023, and includes Artists’ Discussions in July and August.
The Hō‘ikeākea Gallery is now open at Leeward Community College and will showcase the works of students, faculty members and artists in Hawai‘i and around the world. The gallery’s name speaks to its purpose to provide art experiences that inform, inspire and broaden the mind: hō‘ike (to show/exhibit/reveal, cause to be seen) and ākea (broad, wide expanse, spacious).
“This art gallery will serve as a place of education for the community,” says Reem Bassous, Hō‘ikeākea Gallery coordinator. “It is our duty to expose people to new artists, new works and new curatorial practices. It is time to situate Hawaiʻi within a larger dialogue by creating shows that allow for local and global interaction. The shows are thoughtfully planned and deliberate, always with our students and community in mind.”
Photo: Courtesy of Leeward Community College
Hō‘ikeākea Gallery is free and open to the public. Later, the gallery plans to host an annual juried student show for local high schools and a separate one dedicated to Leeward Community College students.
The gallery’s first exhibition, ʻAi Pōhaku, Stone Eaters, is a collection of multimedia works by Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) artists, the fifth of a six-part series and features pieces by the following 14 artists. It runs until Friday, Aug. 25.
- Nālamakūikapō Ahsing
- Bernice Akamine
- Kaili Chun
- Herman Piʻikea Clark
- Joy Lehuanani Enomoto
- Solomon Robert Nui Enos
- Noah Harders
- Kapulani Landgraf
- Nanea Lum
- Charlton Kūpaʻa Hee
- Ipō and Kūnani Nihipali
- Tiare Ribeaux
- Abigail Romanchak
- Maikaʻi Tubbs
SEE ALSO: Must See: “ʻAi Pōhaku, Stone Eaters” Native Hawaiian Art Exhibit
Upcoming Artists’ Discussions at the Hō‘ikeākea Gallery
Interested in hearing more about the art straight from the source? Accompanying the ‘Ai Pōhaku, Stone Eaters exhibition is a series of Artists’ Discussions at the Hō‘ikeākea Gallery in which contributors talk about their art, culture and challenges for Kānaka ʻŌiwi.
Photo: Courtesy of Leeward Community College
Aia I Hea Ka Pono?: Disrupt, Corrupt, Irrupt
Saturday, July 8, 3–5 p.m.
Artists: Nālamakūikapō Ahsing, Noah Harders, Ipō and Kūnani Nihipali and Tiare Ribeaux
Moderator: April A.H. Drexel
Topic: How Kanaka ‘Ōiwi creative scholarship contributes to the interpretation and resolution of issues that affect the environment and Indigenous futures.
Nā Kuleana O Nā Alaka‘i: Nuances of Re-Righting
Saturday, July 22, 3–5 p.m.
Artists: Kaili Chun, Herman Pi‘ikea Clark, Kapulani Landgraf and Abigail Romanchak
Moderator: April A.H. Drexel
Topic: Critically analyzing and refining creative scholarship to articulate issues, struggles and tensions impacting Kanaka ‘Ōiwi.
‘A‘ole I Pau: Possibilities and Potentialities
Saturday, Aug. 12, 3–5 p.m.
Curators: Drew Kahu‘āina Broderick, Josh Tengan, Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu
UH Mānoa Director of Museum Studies: Karen Kosasa
Moderator: April A.H. Drexel
Topic: Reflections, trajectories and intergenerational reverberations relevant to the 2023 ‘Ai Pōhaku, Stone Eaters Project and beyond.
Photo: Courtesy of Leeward Community College
Hō‘ikeākea Gallery, Pu‘uloa Campus, 96-045 Ala ‘Ike, Pearl City. Open Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed on Sunday and Monday. leeward.hawaii.edu, @leewardcc
