Hawaiʻi Nei Art Exhibition Opens Friday, November 7, 2025 at Wailoa Center!
The community is invited to the Opening Night of the 17th Annual Hawai‘i Nei Art Exhibition on Friday, November 7, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Wailoa Center in Hilo. Enjoy live music by Kaimana Kawaha, keiki art activities, and light refreshments as we celebrate the incredible creativity of Hawaiʻi Island’s artists.
Hawaiʻi Nei is a multi-media, juried art exhibition that celebrates the native flora and fauna of Hawaiʻi Island. The show is hosted by the Three Mountain Alliance, the Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance, the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Wailoa Center. Artists of all ages are invited to submit original works highlighting Hawaiʻi’s native plants, animals, and ecosystems - from mauka to makai - showcasing the diversity and beauty of our beloved Hawaiʻi Nei.
Now in its 17th year, this cherished community event continues to bring together powerful imagery of Hawaiʻi’s unique species and landscapes. Through art, Hawaiʻi Nei raises awareness and appreciation for the original kamaʻāina that make these islands so extraordinary, reminding us that conservation begins with connection.
This year’s jurors are Scott Gorrell, Alex Wang, and Aleysia Kaha. Gorrell is known for his intricate paper sculptures experimenting with the depth and texture the medium offers. Wang, a talented photographer and wildlife biologist, brings a keen eye for composition and knowledge of our native manu. Kaha, a multidisciplinary artist rooted in Hawaiʻi lifeways, shares her passion for cultural identity and ʻāina-based perspectives through her work to create colorful pieces that weave in the designs and layers she observes, honoring the plants and creatures that continue to inspire her. Together, they bring a wealth of experience and heart to this year’s jurying process.
In addition to the exhibition, Hawaiʻi Nei will host several special events to help celebrate our native species:
Guided Birding around Wailoa River State Park with Alex Wang – Saturday, November 22 at 9:00 a.m.

DIY Holiday Wrapping Paper Workshop – Saturday, December 6 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Hawaiʻi Nei Art Exhibition will be on display from November 7 through December 11, 2025. The Wailoa Center is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (closed on State holidays and Thanksgiving weekend).
The Wailoa Center is located at 200 Piʻopiʻo Street, Hilo, HI 96720. For more information about Hawai‘i Nei, visit www.hawaiineiartexhibition.org or follow us on social media @hawaii.nei.art.exhibition.