Heʻe Nalu: The Art & Legacy of Hawaiian Surfing

June 6 - July 21, 2024

Opening Reception: Arts & Letters Gallery

First Friday, June 7th 6-8pm

Arts & Letters Gallery: June 6 - July 21

Manini Gallery at Hawaiʻi Theater Center: June 7 - August 5

Officially launching on June 7th, three exhibiting partners have come together to bring Heʻe Nalu home to Hawaiʻi to coincide with the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, the world’s largest gathering of Indigenous Pacific Islanders.

This exhibition covers 2,000 years of surfing history from the earliest stories of surf deities to contemporary works of art and surfing innovations through the lens of fifteen modern Kānaka ʻŌiwi creatives and cultural practitioners. The exhibit presented a cyclical narrative rooted in culture, while bringing to light the complicated history that surfing’s Indigenous people have with the Western dominated billion-dollar surfing industry. This presentation is poised to be an invaluable experiential and educational tool, instilling pride and a stronger sense of identity within the local community while offering visitors a deeper understanding of surfing’s relationship to Hawaiian culture. It holds the promise of showcasing the excellence of Hawaiian culture, attracting a diverse audience, igniting meaningful discussions, and enhancing the cultural vibrancy of Hawaiʻi.

The story of Heʻe Nalu is told through works of Kānaka ʻŌiwi artists and cultural practitioners:

Cory Kamehanaokalā Taum

Rick San Nicolas

Solomon Enos

Lehuauakea

Tom Pōhaku Stone

Daniel Ikaika Ito

Ian Kuali’ʻi

Nicole Naone

Pōhaku Kahoʻohanohano

Clifford Kapono

Christopher Kahunahana

Ha’a Keaulana

Akila Aipa

Stephen Hokulani Kupihea

and video footage courtesy of Zone Media.

the original concept for Heʻe Nalu was created in partnership with Heard Museum in AZ

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority, Atherton Family Foundation, The Creative City Advisory Fund, Core Group One, The James Simmons and Karen Rudolph Fund.

Image: Lehuauakea, Ka ʻŌhū Loa o Ke Kai Uli, 2022