Hawaii's art scene thrives with more than 20 master artists at Tiffany's Art Agency. Famous Hawaiian painters stand among America's most diverse and captivating artists. Jules Tavernier drew inspiration from volcanic landscapes while Nick Kuchar created vintage-style posters that captured the island's unique spirit in distinctly different ways.
Hawaiian art's legacy runs deep, starting with notable 19th-century painters like Madge Tennent and extending to modern success stories. Walfrido Garcia, who worked with Disney Fine Art, represents this continuing tradition. These artists found their muse in Hawaii's striking landscapes, and the erupting volcanoes became central themes in their masterpieces.
The stories behind Hawaii's greatest artists reveal fascinating journeys. Edward Bailey started painting at age 51. Modern artists like Kamea Hadar have caught major brands' attention, including Hawaiian Airlines. Their collective work paints a rich picture of the island's artistic heritage.
The Origins of Hawaiian Painting Tradition
Hawaiian artistic expression thrived through an array of traditional crafts before canvas and oil paints reached its shores. The experience from these ancient art forms to what we now know as famous Hawaiian painters spans centuries of cultural progress, outside influence, and creative resilience.
Pre-contact artistic expressions
Hawaiian artistic tradition existed for nearly 2,000 years before Western contact. Natives called these creative works "na hana noeau" – wise and skillful pieces that served both functional and esthetic purposes. Hawaiian artists channeled their creativity through different mediums without metals or woven cloth:
- Kapa – Artists created this fine material by beating the wauke (paper mulberry) plant after two years of cultivation. They imprinted it with symbolic designs and colored dyes
- Featherwork – Artists crafted intricate capes and helmets for ali'i (chiefs). Each piece needed feathers from as many as 20,000 birds
- Carvings – Wood, bone, and stone sculptures included representations of gods and practical items
- Petroglyphs – Ancient stone carvings remain scattered throughout the islands
Pre-contact Hawaiians saw art creation as deeply spiritual rather than purely decorative. Artists believed they could channel spiritual power or "mana" into their works . The concept of "pono" (righteousness) guided their artistic creation. This reflected a society where spiritual principles connected to every aspect of life.
Early European influences on Hawaiian art
Captain James Cook's expedition arrived in 1778. This marked a turning point for Hawaiian art. English artist John Webber joined this expedition and became the first Western artist to capture Hawaii's essence. His sketches and paintings showed landscapes, people, and customs. These works gave European audiences their first visual glimpse of Hawaii.
The early 1800s brought many visiting artists to Hawaiian shores. French painter Louis Choris worked as a sketch artist for expedition research during this period. These Western artists introduced new techniques, materials, and European artistic traditions. Their influence changed Hawaiian artistic expression forever.
Hawaiian art entered its second stage. Historians note this period featured Western documentation of island life. Professional and amateur artists flocked to Hawaii. The islands' natural beauty and unique culture fascinated them. They documented everything from royal portraits to indigenous customs with imported materials and techniques unknown to Hawaiian creators.
The first documented Hawaiian painters
Joseph Nawahi (1842-1896) stands out as one of Hawaii's most important early painters. He became the first Hawaiian-born artist to paint in a naturalistic Western style without formal training. Nawahi's influence extended beyond art. He worked as a politician, scholar, and activist. His life showed the complex cultural balance native Hawaiians navigated in this new artistic world.
Foreign artists dominated Hawaii's artistic representation before Nawahi. John Mix Stanley arrived in 1848. He spent a year painting portraits of Hawaiian aristocracy and royalty, offering an outsider's view. David Howard Hitchcock, born in Hawaii but trained in Paris, became another trailblazing figure. He returned to capture his native landscapes using European techniques.
Western materials changed Hawaiian artistic practice by the late 19th century. Native artists began using canvas and oil paints while keeping distinctly Hawaiian themes and views. This fusion created Hawaiian art's third stage. Artists blended traditional Hawaiian styles with new ideas and materials. They maintained the spiritual connections that had always defined island creativity.
This artistic foundation paved the way for Hawaii's first formal art movement – The Volcano School. This movement would soon draw international attention with its dramatic portrayals of Hawaii's powerful natural features.
The Volcano School: Hawaii's First Art Movement
Molten lava and fiery eruptions from Hawaii's core sparked a groundbreaking artistic movement in the late 19th century. The Volcano School became Hawaii's first formal art movement. A generation of painters, mostly non-native, portrayed Hawaii Island's volcanic landscapes with dramatic and moody styles.
Jules Tavernier and the birth of the movement
Jules Tavernier, born in France, landed in Hawaii in 1884. Kīlauea's volcanic power drew him instantly. His obsession with erupting volcanoes lasted his entire life. He quickly became Hawaii's most distinguished landscape painter. His works fascinated both locals and visitors.
King Kalākaua saw Tavernier's extraordinary talent. The king named him court painter and asked him to paint Robert Louis Stevenson's portrait. This royal support made Tavernier the movement's central figure. His Hawaiian career lasted just five years until his death in 1889. Yet his influence lived on through students like D. Howard Hitchcock .
Dramatic landscapes and nighttime eruptions
Volcano School artists stood out with their nocturnal scenes showing nature's raw power. Their paintings looked almost surreal despite their realistic approach. They captured otherworldly eruptions against dark night skies.
Kīlauea became the artists' favorite subject. Forbes noted it was "probably sketched and painted more than any other site, with the possible exception of Diamond Head". Kīlauea and Mauna Loa's activity peaked during the 1880s and 1890s, matching the height of Volcano School popularity . Artists rode horseback for two or three days to reach Kīlauea . This showed their deep commitment to capturing authentic volcanic scenes.
These paintings blended European Sublime esthetic with Romantic landscapes and American traditions . Rivers of lava replaced cool water hues. Crimson colors dominated black backgrounds in dramatic displays. The best works sparked both scientific curiosity and spiritual wonder.
Lesser-known members and their contributions
Tavernier led the movement as its most celebrated figure. The Volcano School included 14 artists who created hundreds of works. Charles Furneaux and D. Howard Hitchcock joined Tavernier as Hawaiian painting's "old masters" .
Hitchcock became one of Hawaii's most beloved artists. He showed his work at the prestigious Paris Salon in 1893. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park houses eleven of his paintings. One piece adorns the fireplace of the 1877 Volcano House, now the Volcano Art Center gallery.
Ernst William Christmas, Constance Fredericka Gordon Cumming, and Ogura Yonesuke Itoh added their unique perspectives. Ambrose McCarthy Patterson, William Pinkney Toler, William Twigg-Smith, and Lionel Walden also made their mark . British artist Eduardo Lefebvre Scovell spent eight years painting Hawaii's volcano scenes.
Modern viewers can still experience this awe-inspiring art. The Honolulu Museum of Art, Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park preserve these remarkable works. These paintings continue to amaze audiences just as they did when Hawaii's famous painters first captured the island's fiery spirit over a century ago.
Visiting Artists Who Shaped Hawaiian Art History
Mainland and international artists came to Hawaii's shores over the centuries. The islands' unique landscapes and culture fascinated them. These creative visitors documented the islands and reshaped Hawaiian artistic expression forever.
Georgia O'Keeffe's Hawaiian period
The Hawaiian Pineapple Company (later Dole) gave Georgia O'Keeffe an unexpected commercial assignment in early 1939. She was already famous for her Southwestern desert paintings. O'Keeffe spent nine weeks on four Hawaiian islands and created 20 sensual, verdant paintings that showed a new side of her artistic vision.
O'Keeffe's time in Hawaii came at a turning point in her career. Critics called her New Mexico work "limited" and "a kind of mass production" when she was 51. Her marriage to Alfred Stieglitz was also under strain. Hawaii gave her a chance to renew her art and escape her problems.
O'Keeffe did more than just create promotional images. She dove deep into the islands' spirit. She spent three days exploring Iao Valley on Maui. She painted five works and turned a station wagon into her studio—just like she did in New Mexico. Her letters show her amazement at the "lava washed into sharp and fantastic shapes" and the "misty, green shoulders and deep clefts threaded by silver waterfalls."
O'Keeffe's Hawaiian collection turned Stieglitz's gallery into a "madhouse" of excited fans in February 1940. Critics loved the works. The New York Sun noted they "testify to Miss O'Keeffe's knowing how to make herself at home anywhere."
John Webber and the Cook expedition
John Webber became the first European artist to see Hawaii almost two centuries before. Captain James Cook chose him as the official artist for his third voyage (1776-1780). Webber carefully documented Hawaiian landscapes, people, and cultural practices through watercolors and drawings.
Webber had to create visual records of everything they saw during their travels. His illustrations helped make the official three-volume record of Cook's voyage an instant success. Webber showed his Hawaiian works at the Royal Academy after returning to England in 1780. The Academy made him a full member in 1791—a rare honor for landscape artists back then.
How outsider points of view reshaped island art
Western artists brought big changes to Hawaiian artistic expression after 1778. They introduced new materials like oil paints and techniques that weren't available on the islands before. Hawaiian artists started using these resources to create more vibrant and detailed work.
The changes went beyond just materials. Western artists focused on subjects that Europeans liked—Hawaiian aristocracy, landscapes, and "exotic" cultural elements through colonial eyes. This mix of cultures created something new: Hawaiian art that combined native traditions with outside influences.
Better transportation turned Hawaii from an isolated artistic spot into a vital meeting point between Eastern and Western art. Native artists found both challenges and opportunities as they worked within these complex cultural connections.
Native Hawaiian Masters: Reclaiming Cultural Identity
Outside observers controlled Hawaiian art's narrative for decades. The mid-20th century brought a powerful artistic awakening when Native Hawaiian masters started to reclaim their cultural heritage through visual expression.
Herb Kawainui Kāne and historical reconstruction
People know Herb Kawainui Kāne as "the Father of the Hawaiian Renaissance." He altered Hawaii's cultural map through detailed historical paintings. His Chinese-Hawaiian roots gave him a deep connection to the islands. His great-grandfather's legacy included building Hawaii's first poi factory. Kāne was born in Minnesota in 1928, but his experiences in Hilo shaped his artistic vision deeply.
Kāne earned his master's degree from the Art Institute of Chicago and devoted himself to creating accurate depictions of ancient Hawaiian life. His research about Polynesian voyaging canoes led to his greatest achievement—designing the Hōkūle'a, a traditional double-hulled canoe he called "The Spaceship of our Hawaiian Ancestors." As its first captain, he proved that Polynesians could guide themselves across big oceans without modern tools, which sparked immense cultural pride.
Jean Charlot's influence on Hawaiian art education
French-born Jean Charlot (1898-1979) came to Hawaii after his notable work with Diego Rivera in Mexico. His effect reached beyond his paintings. He documented Honolulu's emerging art scene through weekly criticism in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin from 1952 to 1971.
Charlot's wide-ranging work as a critic highlighted overlooked exhibitions and helped define "art in Hawai'i." His role as faculty advisor to the University of Hawaii's Newman Club touched countless students' lives. His Hawaiian friends called him "Palani," and he became a "Living Treasure" for his contributions to Hawaiian culture.
The struggle for recognition in the art world
Native Hawaiian artists face ongoing systemic barriers to recognition. A major exhibition of contemporary Native Hawaiian artists took 23 years—from 2000 to 2023—to appear on University of Hawaii campuses, even though artists remained "active and productive all along."
Artist Kapulani Landgraf points out that Hawaiian artists struggle to prove their work's value to the broader art community and sometimes to Hawaiians themselves. The University promotes Hawaiian culture in its marketing but offers limited support to indigenous voices. Multimedia artist Rocky Jensen criticized institutions like the State Foundation on Culture and Arts for "systematically refusing to purchase Kānaka Maoli art," despite being one of the first Hawaiian contemporary artists to show work internationally.
Contemporary Hawaiian Painters Breaking Boundaries
Hawaiian artistic scene pulses with state-of-the-art ideas as a new generation of creators redefines island art's potential. Contemporary Hawaiian painters guide their way through a globalized world where tradition meets technology in unique ways.
Blending traditional techniques with modern themes
Hawaiian artists weave traditional elements into modern expressions with skill. They incorporate ancient motifs like kapa cloth designs into paintings and sculptures that create a visual dialog between past and present. Their work addresses climate change concerns while celebrating Hawaii's natural beauty.
Solomon Enos creates large-scale murals that tell stories of Hawaii's history and future. His work combines science fiction elements with traditional Hawaiian narratives . Marques Marzan takes traditional weaving art to create modern, wearable pieces that honor ancestral techniques.
Rising stars in today's Hawaiian art scene
New talent reshapes Hawaiian artistic identity across the islands:
- Kamea Hadar, co-lead director of international street art festival Pow! Wow!, creates striking murals and portraits in unexpected locations throughout Hawaii
- Kaukahiwa'a specializes in intricate wood carvings with traditional Hawaiian motifs and bright colors
- Kai-Huei Yau, a Chinese-American artist raised in Hawaii, brings Chinese elements into contemporary Hawaiian pieces
These artists connect with global art scenes while staying true to Hawaiian traditions. John Koga, a contemporary Honolulu artist, believes Hawaiian arts and culture are "alive and moving forward" .
How social media has transformed Hawaiian art visibility
Social media has changed the way Hawaiian artists share their work. Instagram allows creators to reach worldwide audiences instantly and showcase their art beyond Hawaii's shores . This increased visibility brings new recognition to many artists, and local exhibitions now draw international attention.
Digital platforms help build artist communities that share techniques and work together on projects. The American Savings Bank's Loʻi Gallery shows this progress by featuring rotating artists every four months. The community meets creators and views their work in this space.
Conclusion
The rich heritage of Hawaiian art shows evidence of resilience and creative development across centuries. Native Hawaiian painters have skillfully reclaimed their cultural voice and accepted new ideas, even though Western influences changed their artistic world.
Jules Tavernier's dramatic night scenes and the Volcano School artists created a foundation for future generations of painters. Georgia O'Keeffe brought fresh viewpoints during her visits, while native artists like Herb Kawainui Kāne championed cultural authenticity through their work.
Hawaiian artists today create remarkable work that honors ancestral traditions alongside state-of-the-art techniques. Their creativity reaches global audiences through social media platforms. Artists like Kamea Hadar and Solomon Enos challenge artistic limits while staying true to their cultural roots. This vibrant artistic community tells Hawaii's authentic stories and keeps the islands' creative spirit alive for future generations.