Iwi Kuamoʻo (backbone) by Artist Solomon Enos and the students, faculty, and staff of UH West Oʻahu.
Listen to a discussion with three renowned Hawaiʻi artists at ʻOnipaʻa: Art and Community on Thursday, April 14, from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the UH West Oʻahu Library. Featuring Artists Solomon Enos, Haley Kiliehu, and John “Prime” Hina. ʻOnipaʻa: Art and Community is sponsored by the UHWO Library, UHWO Hawaiian and Pacific Studies department, UHWO History department, UHWO Political Science department, and the ʻUluʻulu Archive.
Solomon Enos
Solomon Enos
Solomon Robert Nui Enos is a Native Hawaiian artist, educator, illustrator, and visionary. Born and raised in Mākaha Valley, O‘ahu, Enos hails from the well-known Enos ‘ohana. His recent work reveals an extraordinary talent, adept at artistic expression in a wide variety of media including oil paintings, book illustrations, outdoor murals (both painted and in glass mosaic), and mixed-media sculptures. His work touches on themes of ancestry and identity, the human relationship with the earth, and the future of Hawai‘i, its people, and its resources.
Haley Kailiehu
Haley Kailiehu
Haley Kailiehu was born and raised in the ʻili ʻāina of Kukuipuka, a beautiful puʻuhonua in the ahupuaʻa of Kahakuloa, on the island of Maui. Her first experience with art was through making lei poʻo with her mom at an early age. They would gather ferns, ʻōhiʻa lehua, and other foliage from the forest above their home, then spend hours weaving it all together to create lei. Through these experiences, Kailiehu developed a passion for creativity and a keen sense of artistic expression that mirrors the world around her.
John “Prime” Hina
John “Prime” Hina
John “Prime” Hina has found a highly effective way of steering youth from the dangers of growing up in at-risk neighborhoods, and turning them into community-minded artists and cultural workers. Hina has created over 50 public murals and coordinated numerous public arts events on Oʻahu.
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