Aloha mai kākou,

 Our Hawaiʻi museums and cultural institution professionals have in the last two years arduously navigated through a changing world and are now diligently immersed in the implementation of creatively tailored programmatic solutions that reconnect with the community and rebuild visitor confidence through regulated virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. 

 Hawaiʻi Museums Association (HMA) is excited to be joining together museum professionals from across our islands for a progressive conference unlike any other we’ve organized in the past. Power Up: Museum Momentum in 2022 wishes to address the resurgence of our museums after a precarious and conflicted two years. Our aim this year is to host a series of island hopping events on 5 of our islands, addressing 6 concerns facing our Hawaii museum staff and institutions today. These themes are based on your conference survey responses provided in 2021. We will also present a window into our collective institutions as we join them and learn about their current programs and financial and organizational realities.

 HMA invites you to the launch of this progressive conference program beginning in Maui on April 3. Board Director and Gallery Director of Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC), Neida Bangerter, has organized a day of events in alignment with the opening of O Kalani, an exhibition featuring the work of Kanaka Maoli artists Sean K.L. Brown and Imaikalani Kalahele. These two prominent artists have been active since the latter part of the 20th century, during a resurgence of Hawaiian culture, and a pivotal moment in the history of Hawai‘i. Drawing inspiration from history, legends, and current events, their work has helped define contemporary art of Hawai‘i. O Kalani references the Hawaiian view of a relationship with the divine, which can be translated as “from the heavens” and also acknowledges the names of both artists.

Vision and Design: Sunday, April 3, 2:00 – 4:00 pm- Artists Sean K.L. Brown and Imaikalani Kalahele will join curator  E. Tory Laitila , Honolulu Museum of Art for a discussion about the artists’ work and how effective exhibit design communicates to the viewer.

Museums Mixer: 4:00-6:00 pm  Hawaii Museums Association will be hosting this event for Maui museums and organizations to catch up and share news about their organizations.

For more information and your RSVP contact: galleryassistant@mauiarts.org

Please continue to visit this website for ongoing updates to our programming and we look forward to meeting with you in Maui on April 3!