Hawaiʻi's state arts agency is poised to get more money to support performing arts. But the agency will also be limited in how it can use the Works of Art Special Fund.

The ballroom dance club at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa recently defended its national title at the National Collegiate DanceSport Championships in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Conversation spoke to three members of the club.

King David Kalākaua Middle School students Marliena Domer, Audrey Maderazo, and Shaylene Padron took home first place in the performance category and a ticket to the national competition in Washington, D.C. — but their trip is up in the air, because of deep cuts to the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Competition kicked off Thursday night at the 2025 Merrie Monarch Hula Festival in Hilo with the soloist competition. Thirteen contestants competed for the title of Miss Aloha Hula, including Jaedyn Pavao, who represented Kauaʻi's only hālau in this year's festival. HPR contributor Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi has more.

Two Hawaiʻi-born actors are making names for themselves in Hollywood. Nyah Juliano and Koda Beschen recently appeared in the Fox series "Rescue: HI-Surf" and in independent films.

Tariffs are now beginning to take their toll on the fashion industry. This comes as many Hawaiʻi designers are front and center at the Merrie Monarch arts and crafts fair. The Conversation talked to Georja Skinner of the state's Creative Industries Division about the uncertainty around higher prices.

HPR's Cassie Ordonio reports on a study conducted by Vibrant Hawaiʻi that uses a culture-based approach to rebuilding the well-being of first responders.

The 62nd annual Merrie Monarch hula competition has kicked off, and it's been celebrating traditional hula and Hawaiian culture for decades. Many hālau emphasize upholding that tradition. But a growing number of hālau are mixing a bit of modern touches into their performances.

It’s hard to imagine a time in Hawaiʻi without ABC Stores. The company under Paul Kosasa has made it a point to give back to the community through the Kosasa Foundation. The family has recently set aside $1 million to help strengthen Hawaiʻi’s nonprofit arts and culture sector.

As a state arts agency faces possible cuts to its federal funding, a powerful House lawmaker is again threatening arts funding. HPR's Cassie Ordonio has more.