The work of Maui-born cartoonist and illustrator R. Kikuo Johnson appears regularly in books, ads, periodicals, animation and on front covers of The New Yorker. He was awarded a gold medal in the 2018 Editorial Category by the Society of Illustrators.
Although COVID has kept this snowbird away from the islands, he usually sees his Maui ʻohana once a year. He was able to visit virtually last weekend as a featured guest at the Hawaiʻi Book and Music Festival.
The Conversation caught up with the Brooklyn-based artist to talk about his process and his new graphic novella "No One Else" — coming out Nov. 9. It follows three Maui family members as they navigate life, grief, and relationships.
R. Kikuo Johnson will be in Honolulu for a book signing at Bas Bookshop on Dec. 10. This interview aired on The Conversation on Nov. 4, 2021.