The Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has announced a calendar of upcoming exhibits at Capitol Modern: the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, spanning 2025 and 2026. Highlights include collaborations with World Wide Walls featuring a solo show by Shar Tuiʻaso (also known as Punky Aloha) titled “Local” and a group show “The Earth Laughs in Flowers,” as well as a mini-exhibit on traditional printmaking called “Technique and Texture.” In 2026, the museum will host the traveling Schaefer Portrait Challenge from the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, a triennial exhibition showcasing portraiture from across the islands, along with the “Trifecta” exhibit of works from the SFCA Art in Public Places Collection and the annual Hawaiʻi Regional Scholastic Student Art Awards.
This announcement matters because it highlights the role of the state art museum as a hub for community collaboration and cultural representation in Hawaiʻi. By partnering with organizations like World Wide Walls and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, the museum amplifies local voices and supports emerging artists such as Shar Tuiʻaso. The inclusion of student awards and Filipino-American heritage displays also underscores the museum’s commitment to accessibility, education, and celebrating the diverse communities of the islands.