Hawai‘i Nei Exhibit to Focus on Native Plants

Image of ‘ōhā, or Clermontia parviflora an endemic lobeliad, found only on Hawai‘i Island, in bloom along the trail to Nāhuku (Thurston Lava Tube). Entrance fees help protect the Hawaiian ecosystem by funding fencing projects that prevent pigs and goats from devouring native plants. NPS Photo/J. Ferracane.

Hawai‘i Nei 2016, a juried art exhibition celebrating the native flora and fauna of Hawai‘i Island, invites artists to explore the ways in which Hawai‘i Island’s national parks preserve our pilina or connection and love for nature, and specifically, for our unique and diverse native species.

In celebration of the centennial anniversary of our nation’s parks, amateur and professional artists of all ages are invited to submit works of art. All residents of the Island of Hawai‘i are eligible to participate.

The theme for Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park is plants.

For the first time, and only for this category, Hawai‘i Nei will allow artists to portray humans in the artwork; however, plants prominently depicted in the work must be native to the Island of Hawai‘i.

Artwork highlighting non-native species, including Polynesian introductions, will not be accepted.

Pu‘uhonua o Hōnaunau will host an art adventure where artists can become inspired about their plant subjects during a guided tour in the Royal Grounds.

The plant tour with Peter Van Dyke will be held on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, from 9 to 11 a.m. Space is limited to 15 participants.

To sign-up for the art adventure or for more information, visit HawaiiNeiArtContest.org.

Hawai’i Nei 2016 is sponsored by the Three Mountain Alliance, the Natural Area Reserves System, Mauna Kea Forest Restoration Project and the Wailoa Arts & Cultural Center.