Lāhui Arts - ʻOnipaʻa 2026 Recap

As members of the ʻOnipaʻa Coalition, Wisdom Circles Oceania holds the honor of providing arts and creative expression for lāhui each year. We deeply mahalo the over 300 lāhui-members, the ʻOnipaʻa Coalition, kūpuna, Lāhui Block Prints, and all who stopped to share stories through their art. In these moments, we remember the pono leadership and legacy of our mōʻī wahine, Liliʻuokalani. 

133 years later, we feel the excellence of her craft, calling us to remain steadfast.

A renowned artist, the queen spoke Aloha ʻĀina into the spirits of her people, even during her imprisonment. Keiki to kūpuna joined us to echo her kāhea. Many chose to print the flowers of Uluhaimalama on their lole with our newest stencil, created by ʻōpio artists. Others marched with lāhui-made banners from Mauna ʻAla, the final resting place of the royal lineage, to ʻIolani Palace.

The mission of Wisdom Circles Oceania is made possible by these experiences, where we achieve collective well-being through our right to create, dream and imagine. As Kānaka Maoli, we hold this enduring kuleana with much care, understanding that hana noʻeau belongs in every wā of our existence.

This year’s theme was created by WCO Youth Leaders, Mima Field-Perkins and Makanoe Hufana.

ʻOnipaʻa connected 10 ʻōpio from across Hawaiʻi to guide the collective arts banner and intergenerational healing space. These collective art pieces bridge together people of all ages and backgrounds, and travel across the Pae ʻĀina to bring healing and power to each of our communities. Uplifting the art and voicesʻōpio in the spaces is a pillar of our work. Annually, we mentor, stipend, and serve over 20 youth leaders through our various programs.

We are incredibly grateful to the community support that resources these spaces. If you would like to contribute to free art events like ʻOnipaʻa and Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea, please consider supporting our campaign, or volunteering with us.

Ke aloha nui,

Wisdom Circles Oceania <3

“ʻO Liliuokalani i ke kapu,

Moiwahine o Hawaii, 

Ua poniia e na Lani,

E ka Haku Ihiihi Mana Loa,

I makia no ke Aupuni,

I alakai no ka lahui;

Nou o luna, nou o lalo, 

Nou o kai, nou o kai,

Aka, i hookahi mea nui

O ka Haku o na Haku!
E ola Hawaii aina

E ola Hawaii lahui

E ola o Liliuokalani 

A kau hou i ka Noho Kalaunu”

- Excerpt from Kaula Fisheye, He Mele Koihonua no Liliuokalani. Published in Ka Makaainana, Volume I, Number 22, 28 May 1894