Bringing together new and existing works alongside botanical specimens and cultural treasures from Bishop Museum’s collections, the exhibition weaves themes of migration, community resilience, and environmental stewardship — offering insight and inspiration for today.

Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice is a group exhibition; in addition to the three artists, the show was co-curated by Sarah Kuaiwa, Ph.D., Bishop Museum curator for Hawaiʻi and Pacific Cultural Resources, and co-curator Kumu hula Kauʻi Kanakaʻole, and designed by DeAnne Kennedy, Bishop Museum exhibit designer.

“The artists interpret the meaning of ʻEa Mai ʻEiwa’ as ‘structures of nine,’” shares Kuaiwa. “It refers to the nine sharks described in ‘Kūhaʻimoana.’ The nine sharks can be interpreted as nine waves of people migrating to and settling in Hawaiʻi from their homeland, Kahiki.”

“‘Patterns of Practice’ was suggested by Sig Zane as a way of representing how the artists hone their skills,” Kuaiwa adds. “Through repetition, deep study, and consistent practice, mastery is achieved. As practitioners of hula, the artists have continued to deepen their understanding of the natural and spiritual world, which has in turn inspired their art practices. They aim to produce art in various visual media not only to educate, but to also be aesthetically celebrated and enjoyed.”

“‘Kūha’imoana,’ for me, has many layers to it,” said Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane. “On a first take, it’s a migratory chant that compares migrations to waves of ocean-navigating sharks. That metaphor sets out the tone of connectivity between our natural environment and the beings that inhabit it.”

“‘Kūhaʻimoana’ is an example illustrating metaphorical depth within Hawaiian poetry,” said Sig Zane. “The importance of navigation surfaces in day-to-day cultural practices. This archaic chant reveals nuanced content, giving us a peek into hierarchy, dualities, and familial belief systems.”

Items from the Museum’s collection featured in the exhibition include:

• Botanical specimens from various locations across Hawaiʻi Island, chosen to represent their hula ahu (altar) and the sources of inspiration that the artists frequently draw from
• Uniquely colored kūpeʻe (sea snails) shells made into adornments, as well as adornments made to look like kūpeʻe shells
• Kapa (barkcloth) made from the 19th century with dynamic designs
• ʻAwa (kava, Piper methysticum) cups and kānoa (kava bowl) associated with the aliʻi

“This exhibition demonstrates that the gap between historic collections and contemporary art is actually a lot smaller than people think,” said Kuaiwa. “Audiences will see how the artists use the same materials as pieces in Bishop Museum collections but in different forms. The resonance between the artist’s work with mea kupuna (ancestors) is what makes Ea Mai ʻEiwa a uniquely Bishop Museum exhibition.”

“Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice reflects Aunty Nālani’s philosophy of practice,” said Kauʻi Kanakaʻole. “She intentionally taught hula with depth of language, craft, and art form to encompass a full-on lifestyle commitment. This was her everyday; the way she learned, grew, and inspired.”

“I would love for guests to leave (the exhibition) with a mixture of awe, appreciation, and curiosity,” Kanakaʻole shares. “You don’t have to understand it all to enjoy it all, just appreciate being let in to an artist’s intimate story and creative process and hopefully, it will pique curiosity into people’s own stories, history, and culture.”
Highlights of the Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice exhibition include:

• Nālani Kanakaʻole’s kite installation, Kūhaʻimoana, her last large-scale installation before her passing
• Archival hula ʻaʻahu (hula garments) and implements designed by Nālani Kanakaʻole and made by students of Hālau o Kekuhi
• New and archival sketches and rubylith artworks by Sig Zane from 1990 to present
• A collection of family photos from the Kanakaʻole ʻOhana
• Memorabilia and ephemera from the theatrical performance, “Holo Mai Pele” (1995-2000)

Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice will be presented in both Hawaiian and English, and will be on view until Sept. 20, 2026. For more information, please visit BishopMuseum.org/Eiwa.

Invitation for News Media

• Exclusive Media Preview of Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice
• Thursday, April 16, 2026 | 1-4 p.m. HST | J. M. Long Gallery in the Hawaiian Hall Complex
• The co-curators, artists, and exhibit designer will be available for interviews
• Please RSVP with Krislyn Hashimoto via the information above

Bishop Museum extends its appreciation to the following sponsors for their generous support of this exhibition: Hawaiian Airlines, First Hawaiian Bank, Matson, Mellon Foundation, Servco Pacific Inc., Min Plastics, OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels, Shibby Stylee.