Wailoa Center will present “ONO,” the sixth annual Maoli Arts Month exhibit April 8-28 in the Main Gallery.
A reception for the artists is from 5-7 p.m. April 8. This event is free and open to the public.
Each year MAMo invites Native Hawaiian artists to exhibit their art. This year’s artists are: Kauanoe Chang, Charlie Dickson, Momi Greene, Dean Ka‘ahanui, Haley Ka‘iliehu, Kanani Kaulukukui Jr., Beau Jack Key, Maile Lu‘uwai, Kainoa Makua, Nelson Makua, Tom Mehau, Kalei Nu‘uhiwa, Harinani Orme, Jimie Ramos, Ka‘ohu Seto, Shannon Weaver and Olalehua Ah Chong.
This year’s featured artist in the Fountain Gallery is Nelson Makua. He also is one of this year’s MAMo awardees, along with Kapulani Landgraf.
Makua has been an artist and designer on the Big Island for more than 35 years. Born and raised in Kailua, Oahu, he and his family moved to the Big Island in 1975, where they reside in Puna, the original home of the Makua ohana.
“My ancestors were part of the migration from Tahiti to Hawaii who settled in Kalapana in the district of Puna,” Makua said. “For me, moving to the Big Island was like coming home.”
Makua is best known for his design work, with clients in Hawaii, the mainland and Japan. He is a two-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner for graphic design and is the only artist to have created six years of Merrie Monarch Hula Festival posters with his limited edition “Pele” series. His first 2003 poster is a collectors item and his 2008 Merrie Monarch poster received the prestigious Pele Award for best illustration by the Hawaii Advertising Federation.
In 1999, Nelson and his son Kainoa, created a line of casual Hawaiian wear under the brand of Na Makua which they retail online on their website, namakua.com.
“Na Makua gives us a visual voice to express our views and feelings as Native Hawaiians, images that speak out to other Hawaiians,” Nelson Makua said.
As well as being an artist and designer, Makua has been co-director of the annual Merrie Monarch Invitational Hawaiian Arts Fair for the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival for the past 11 years.
Though Makua was classically trained in drawing, painting and photography, he has been a digital artist for more than 20 years.
“The digital age has opened up a whole new world of creating for the artist, with countless possibilities,” he said. “Guided by my kupuna before me, I consider myself a Hawaiian living in my own time, creating images that reflect my time and place.”
