Ea Mai ʻEiwa Members Preview

Friday, April 17, 2026
5:30 – 9 p.m.
J.M. Long Gallery | Bishop Museum Gallery Lawns
Doors to the event opens at 5:20 p.m.
Timed Entrance to the Exhibition begins at 5:45 p.m.

Bishop Museum proudly presents Ea Mai ʻEiwa: Patterns of Practice, on view April 18 – Sept. 20, 2026, a powerful new exhibition featuring the work of Nālani Kanakaʻole (1946–2026), Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane — a Hilo-based family of artists whose creative practices are deeply rooted in hula ʻaihaʻa.

As dedicated members of Hālau o Kekuhi in Keaukaha, Hawaiʻi, their work across visual and performing arts is continually charged and sustained by hula. 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 exhibition title references “Kūhaʻimoana,” a chant describing the migration of shark gods from Kahiki to Hawaiʻi. Interpreted as “structures of nine,” Ea Mai ʻEiwa reflects the strength, resilience, and environmental knowledge embodied in these ancestral stories.

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.

Online registration will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 16. Walk-in registration will not be available.

All ages are welcome to attend; however, the event is recommended for members age 15 and older.

Members Preview is for Bishop Museum members only. Only one registration is allowed per membership ID number, and duplicate registrations will be cancelled.