Distinguished Hawaiʻi artists to bring Hawaiʻi culture, history to life at Kahilu Theatre

Two upcoming exhibits at Kahilu Theatre will feature Hawaiʻi artists who are bringing the stories of Hawaiʻi’s past to life.

Edwin Kayton’s exhibit, “Sharing the Journey,” and Brook Kapūkuniahi Parker’s “Honoring Our Ancestors,” will bring images of scenes and people from times predating camera phones to Kahilu Theatre in Waimea this month.

Kayton is classically trained in various painting and sculpting techniques and has been living and creating in Hawaiʻi for 50 years. His artistry is inspired by Hawaiʻi’s histories and is guided by cultural practitioners.

“Sharing the Journey” features artworks celebrating Paniolo heritage, historical maritime events, geological wonders, and Hawaiʻi’s cultural practices.

Parker is a distinguished Kānaka Maoli artist, historian, and genealogist who traces his lineage to Parker Ranch and Kamehameha the Great. Parker is renowned for creating dramatic scenes of storied warriors, aliʻi, and places.

“Honoring Our Ancestors” presents recent paintings and new works celebrating the moʻolelo of the kūpuna of Waimea.

Kayton and Parker have known each other for more than a decade, and their relationship has evolved from a mentor-student dynamic into one of mutual admiration and respect.

According to Andy Behrle, the gallery director at Kahilu Theatre, both artists have embraced the tradition established by Herb Kāne to imagine Hawaiʻi’s historical figures and moments. Their art connects people to the layers of history of this place and honors the contributions made by those who came before.

“Both Ed and Brook had direct connections to Herb Kāne, spending time with him, sharing their artwork, and ultimately have tried to continue to build upon his legacy through their own art,” Behrle said. “Their talents, individual missions, and prolific outputs are living up to the high standard set by Herb.”

Last year, Parker became a household name in Hawaiʻi due to his work on promotional paintings for Jason Momoa and Apple TV’s “Chief of War” series. Featured on news broadcasts, local television shows, and Hawaiian cultural podcasts, Parker has become as recognizable throughout the islands as his artwork.

For “Chief of War,” the artist created portraits of the historical figures depicted in the series, using the actors portraying the figures for inspiration. However, Parker usually creates images of figures from his imagination and archival knowledge of Hawaiian genealogies.

A mostly self-taught artist, Parker has quickly become a master of oil painting. In “Honoring Our Ancestors,” he will feature works from his “Rivalry” series as well as new creations honoring his ancestral connections to Waimea.

In his early work, Kayton painted almost exclusively from photographs, capturing cultural practitioners conducting ceremonies and showcasing their talents. In recent years, he has learned to use digital technologies to layer multiple inspirational images, trusting his creative genius to create dynamic paintings.

Behrle describes Kayton as “a master of every art form that has ever interested him.”

In “Sharing the Journey,” Kayton showcases some of the most important paintings of his career alongside new works created to honor Waimea’s Paniolo heritage, Hāmākua’s sugar industry, and the natural beauty of Kohala.

“Honoring Our Ancestors” and “Sharing the Journey” open with a public reception in Kahilu’s Simperman Gallery and Suli T. Go Gallery from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, in Waimea. The art will remain on view through April 12.

Parker is scheduled to give an Artist Talk presentation at the Kahilu Theatre on Friday, April 3. For more information and to reserve Artist Talk tickets, visit the Kahilu Theatre website.

For more information, contact Behrle at gallery@kahilu.org or 808-885-6868.