'Ohana

Supporting, Promoting and Celebrating the Arts in Hawai‘i

Art serves as the foundation for a healthy, vibrant, inclusive community and nourishes human interaction and development.  Artists and arts organizations can and do shape the social, physical and economic character of our community. 

We are fortunate to have the support of visionary leadership, both in the creative force of our artists and arts leaders here in Hawai‘i County as well as our county administration.  Hawai‘i Mayor, Mitch Roth, recognizing the critical role of the arts in helping communities respond to challenges with compassion, resilience and hope, has committed his administration to revitalizing the economy through arts initiatives and dedicated support for the arts. 

The importance of the arts in Hawai‘i needs to be emphasized as we move forward in rebuilding our economy post-pandemic and as we revisit the meaning of a community where art plays an intentional and integrated role in community-planning and development.  To support this effort, a network of arts organizations, leaders and professionals committed to collaboration as an ‘ohana.’ Oceania Hawaii Action Network for the Arts (OHANA) is dedicated to building support and awareness for the arts, our community and for each other.

The purpose of OHANA is fourfold:

1. To promote communication, cooperation, and support for the arts and arts organizations within Hawai‘i County;
2. To assist as a liaison between the arts community of Hawai‘i County and businesses, government, educational institutes, institutions with parallel missions and access to potential funding and the extended arts community of the State and the Pacific region;
3. To support the emergence, visibility and placement of the next generation of artists by facilitating mentoring of youth and entry level professionals; and,
4. To promote economic opportunity for artists and arts organizations  in Hawai‘i