New art exhibition in Mountain View invests in community conservation

Nine established and emerging artists will be featured in an art exhibition to help fund a network of community conservationists.

The Laulima Nature Center, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting native Hawaiian species and ecosystems by facilitating community education and involvement, is presenting “Kupukupu: Unfurling,” with an opening celebration this Saturday in Mountain View.

The art exhibition is named and inspired by the kupukupu fern, which symbolizes growth as kupu means “to sprout.” The spreading fern can reach up to three feet tall and is one of the first plants to grow on lava fields, reflecting the continuous cycle of life and renewal.

“We believe that to tell the full story of conservation, we must engage the storytellers,” said Jesa Amascual, development manager. “Art archives our culture and shapes our collective consciousness, helping the entire movement grow deeper roots.”

The two-part exhibition, sponsored by the Sierra Club, features nine original artworks created by the 2025 Kupukupu Artist Camp, available for sale through a silent auction, along with 30 community submissions.

The featured artists include Kaleiheana Stormcrow, Malialani Dantty, Kaleilehua Meyer, Kahealani Mahone-Brooks, Kaiʻili Kaulukukui, Avalon Paradea, Mariana Monasi, Carl F.K. Pao, and Kauʻinohea Wāwaeʻiole.

Funds raised throughout the exhibition will be a direct investment in Laulima’s community-based conservation programs, such as workshops, children’s events, nature walks, and talks from cultural and ecological experts.

On Sunday, the center is hosting “Empowering Community Voices: Environmental Justice Workshop,” exploring how community members can influence conservation legislation in Hawaiʻi, with guest speakers Jordan Lerma, executive director of Nēnē Research and Conservation, and Bec Jimenez-Ward, senior coordinator at the National Wildlife Federation.

Attendees will learn how to propose and support bills, work with local organizations, and overcome barriers to participate in politics.

The Laulima Nature Center is also home to a library that community members can utilize to learn independently. Books focus on native plants and animals as well as Native Hawaiian history and culture.

The opening celebration and silent auction will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Laulima Nature Center, 18-1325 Old Volcano Rd., Mountain View, this Saturday. There will be live music from Kalei Pulapulaʻakama Yamanoha and Chanelle Kanani as well as a talk about community-based conservation.

“In a time of complex environmental challenges, the power lies in our connections,” said Danya Weber, founder and executive director of Laulima Nature Center. “We are thrilled to partner with the Sierra Club of Hawaiʻi to bring this vision to life.”

The exhibition will run through Nov. 30.