Museum After Hours: Nālani Kanakaole

Museum After Hours spotlights its newest exhibition Ea Mai ʻEiwa (Nine Patterns of Practice), which features works by Nālani Kanakaʻole (1946–2026), Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, a family of artists from Hilo, Hawaiʻi. 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 3 artists look to chants for data, knowledge holding and story telling which become inspirational levers for their creative pieces.

On Friday, May 8, 2026, Bishop Museum and the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation pay tribute to the vanguard, Nālani Kanakaʻole. In honor of her innovation and inspiration in cultural practices – as choreographer, composer, designer, and artist – this special program brings together ʻohana and multiple generations of cultural practitioners to present original compositions created by Nālani Kanakaʻole in the form of hula, mele, oli, and written poetry. The live performances will take place throughout Hawaiian Hall with her compositions connecting the galleries. The program also features a panel of kumu hula and creatives who have been inspired by Nālani Kanakaʻole’s ‘a‘ahu hula and modern apparel design.

Program

5 p.m. Doors open & Wehena
Location: J. M. Long Gallery | Hawaiian Hall Complex

6 p.m. Live Performances of Nālani Kanakaʻole’s Original Compositions
Location: Hawaiian Hall | Pacific Hall
Presenters to be announced

7 p.m. ‘A‘ahu Theory & Design Panel
Location: Hawaiian Hall
Presenters to be announced

8 p.m. Live Performances of Nālani Kanakaʻole’s Original Compositions
Location: Hawaiian Hall | Pacific Hall
Presenters to be announced

About Ea Mai ʻEiwa

Ea Mai ʻEiwa (Here Are the Nine): Patterns of Practice features works by Nālani Kanakaʻole, Sig Zane, and Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane, a family of artists from Hilo, Hawaiʻi. The exhibition title is a reference to “Kūhaʻimoana,” a chant significant to the artists that describes the migration of a family of shark gods led by the shark god Kūhaʻimoana (also referred to elsewhere as Kūheimoana and Kūhaimoana). The artists interpret the meaning of Ea Mai ʻEiwa as “structures of nine,” emphasizing the tangible skills and talent held by each individual shark god and the foundational rituals brought from Kahiki to Hawaiʻi that ensured their survival. They are inspired by the vanguard spirit of the sharks and by the environmental patterns described in the chant, knowledge that the artists believe can be used to guide and inspire us today. The artists’ creative output across the visual and performing arts is continually charged and sustained by hula. Nālani Kanakaʻole shares knowledge carried in hula through her art direction and choreography, Sig Zane through photography, printmaking, and textile design, and Kūhaʻoʻīmaikalani Zane through graphic design, interactive installation, and architecture.

Photos Courtesy of the Edith Kanakaʻole Foundation