Upcoming Events and Contact Information

This year there will be a formal program with the public being able to wander through the Capitol to enjoy the artwork and performances. A booklet giving locations of the artwork will be made available near the elevators and located throughout the Capitol.

The program will begin at 4:30 p.m. in room 325 with an introduction of artists and special guests. Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall will be kicking off the night with an invocation.

Self-guided tours begin at 5:00 p.m. with Honolulu International Film Festival Shorts showing in the Senate Gallery, and footage of the H-3 Protests from the Hawaii Triennial playing in the House Gallery. Throughout the evening, Hawaiian Mele will be performed by Kamakawiwo‘ole: Osorio Band on the 5^th floor in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, Ballet Hawai’i will be dancing in the rotunda, Hawai’i Theater for Youth will be performing in the Auditorium, and there will be a panel discussion from Hawai’i Contemporary on “Art and Activism.”

Watch an interview, talk story, and reading with Hawaiʻi’s Poet Laureate, Brandy Nālani McDougall.

Brandy helps opening the Youth Poet Laureate Commencement when find out who’s the next Hawaiʻi Youth Poet Laureate.

Brandy organized and joined a collective poetry reading honoring and inspired by the artists exhibited at the ʻAi Pōhaku exhibit.

Kula born and raised, Hawaiʻi State Poet Laureate Brandy Nālani McDougall sees poetry as a way to heal. Share your own story of Maui with Brandy as she helps participants create their own poems of Makawao.

Brandy read poetry and did a poetry workshop, inviting students to share their writing.

Brandy will be making a special appearance at the Poetry Out Loud Hawaiʻi Final.

Ekphrasis, which can be translated as “description” in Greek, refers to poetry that describes a work of visual art.  In this family workshop open to all ages, you will write your own ekphrastic poem inspired by an artwork of your choosing in the Hawai’i State Art Museum. Hawaii Poet Laureate, Brandy Nālani McDougall, will share examples of ekphrastic poems and writing prompts to help you create your own work of art to honor and celebrate the wonderful art at HiSAM.