Artist Talk & Dinner w/ Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane

Sunday, June 14, 2026
J. Watumull Atrium of Hawaiian Hall
6 – 8 p.m.

Bishop Museum’s newest exhibition Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice features works by Nālani Kanakaʻole (1946–2026), Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, a family of artists from Hilo, Hawaiʻi. From Nālani Kanakaʻole’s art direction and choreography to Sig Zane’s photography and textile design, and Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane’s graphic design and immersive installations, each artist channels ʻike carried through generations. The title is a reference to “Kūhaʻimoana,” a chant that describes the migration of a family of shark gods, the “structures of nine” that embody the tangible skills and talent held by each individual shark and the foundational rituals brought from Kahiki to Hawaiʻi that ensured their survival. The exhibition showcases how the three artists look to chants for data, knowledge holding and storytelling which become inspirational levers for their creative pieces.

Upon the opening of the exhibition, for three consecutive moon cycles, Ea Mai ʻEiwa will reveal new art work created by each of the three artists.

On Sunday June 14, 2026, the exhibition will reveal new artwork created by Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane – titled “ʻIke Pāpālua.” To mark the new moon cycle and to honor this new art piece, we invite you to join the artist & designer for an intimate sit-down dinner and talk story session to explore his creative process, share moʻolelo behind his new work, and navigate the themes woven throughout the exhibition.

The dinner will be catered by Aunty Tammy Smith of Hale Kealoha.

Menu to be announced.
Pre-registration Only
**Limited Seating**
$100 Registration Fee includes dinner, select items from Bishop Museum’s Shop Pacifica, and a private tour of the exhibition with the artist and co-curators

Artist Bio
Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, CEO and Creative Director of Sig Zane Designs and SZKaiao comes from a generational hula family practice that grounds and informs his day to day career. Zane has worked with his father, company founder Sig Zane for the past 21 years, from sweeping sidewalks to opening two Oʻahu locations, Sig On Smith and Kaiao_Space. With his design studio SZKaiao, Kūhaʻo employs their unique approach that blends cultural values with design. Their work with both local and international clients range from branding, art installations, airplane liveries and architectural way-finding. Currently, Kūhaʻo also serves as the president of Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation, a non-profit that employs his family’s generational cultural insight through curriculum development, site restoration, consulting and publishing. He weaves this range of sectors and interests together as a platform to serve his community.