PROSPECTUS
The Three Mountain Alliance, the Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance, the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the Wailoa Center State Park are proud to announce Hawai‘i Nei 2026, a juried art exhibition celebrating the native flora and fauna of Hawai‘i Island. Artists of all ages are invited to submit works of art celebrating the native plants, animals, and habitats of our beloved island, our Hawai‘i Nei.
Eligibility
Only residents of the Island of Hawai‘i (Big Island) are eligible to participate. All works must be original (no reproductions or AI art will be accepted), have been created in the last four years and must not have been previously shown at Wailoa Center. Artwork in any medium or combination of media is welcome. This exhibit will be displayed in a State Parks facility and, therefore, must adhere to its rules and standards. Controversial subjects such as nudity or controversial political or religious statements may be juried out. If you have questions, please contact Wailoa Center, (808) 933-0416 or [email protected]
Subject
The main subject(s) of your piece(s) must be a species native to Hawai‘i Island. The definition used to define a native species is an organism that naturally arrived to Hawaiʻi without the help of humans via the 3Ws (wind, waves, or wings). It can be either endemic (found only in Hawaiʻi) or indigenous (native to Hawaiʻi and elsewhere). Artwork highlighting non-native species, including Polynesian introductions, as well as native species exclusively endemic to other Hawaiian islands will not be accepted. Artwork made from an endangered native species will not be accepted.
Definitions
If a native species is used as a medium in an art piece, we strongly suggest to consider the purpose of using the native species or consider if there is a possible alternative. Please consider the place from which the species will be gathered from - is there a healthy population from which to gather? We also encourage to request permission - from the land owner and species itself. When you are picking, be sure not to introduce invasive species into the area, only to take what is needed, minimize damage to surrounding species, and show gratitude. If you have questions about your subject and whether it fits these parameters, please email [email protected].
How to submit
*West Hawaii participants are required to have their items boxed and ready for transport to Hilo (artwork dimensions for transport cannot exceed 40" including packaging).
East Hawaiʻi: Saturday, October 31, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Wailoa Center in Hilo
Need kōkua? Please contact us in advance to set up an appointment if you are in need of assistance registering your artwork or have questions about native species.
Entry Fees
Artists may enter more than one piece. A non-refundable fee for each entry will be collected with online submission. Entry fees are $20 per entry for adults. Youth (under 18) may enter their artwork for free. We will, however, gratefully accept donations in any amount towards youth entry fees.
Media
We encourage artists to explore a variety of media including the performing arts. A television screen is available upon request to display video media. All artwork must be ready for hanging or installation, including an attached wire for framed pieces. Matted work without frames will not be accepted. No sawtooth hangers. Please visit the website for best methods to hang art. Artists are responsible for transporting heavy pieces into the gallery.
2026 Jurors
Emily Catey Weiss (Adult Divisions)
Emily has years of experience coordinating public art programs and exhibits. She earned a B.F.A. from Ohio State University in 2000, which paved the way for Emily Catey Photography, LLC, which she ran successfully in Hale’iwa on Oahu’s North Shore before moving to the Big Island in 2009. From 2004 to 2009 she was involved in various civic, business and state organizations in the revitalization of Honolulu’s Arts District. She also served as President of the Hale’iwa Arts Festival. She joined the Volcano Art Center as Program Director in 2009. Since then, she has held various positions within the organization. Her philosophy is grounded in the belief that cultivating, sustaining, and celebrating the arts is essential to a vibrant community. Emilyʻs day job creates spaces and exhibitions for the visual arts to be publicly shared, however she deeply values body work, private practice and ritual in her life. She has been a Hatha Yoga instructor for almost 20 years. Gaining inspiration from the natural environment and other creative people, Emily considers herself a lifelong student of all things.
Erzsi Kuba Palko (Youth Divisions)
In legend and fairy stories, trees speak, birds are helpful messengers, and truth and harmony are stronger than deceit. This "magic" that lives, perhaps, in quiet moments making vivid contact with nature is the heart of Erzsi's art, along with endeavoring to be of service in terms of environmental education. Born and raised on Oʻahu, she has a background in teaching performing arts and science. She completed a semester of painting at the art school E.N.S.A.D. while studying abroad in Paris, a certificate in Ethnobotany with the University of Alaska, and a master's degree in Plant and Soil Science at U.H. Mānoa, which provided an opportunity to begin seeing details with the eyes of a botanist. She has authored and illustrated Under the ʻŌhiʻa Tree, a children's book introducing Hawaiʻi's native forest species with Bess Press, and Enchanting Creatures of Hawaiʻi Island, a native species coloring book of rhymes with Petroglyph Press. Participating in the Hawaiʻi Nei exhibit has provided invaluable experience in daring to put work out there and refining illustration ideas. Her artwork has also been shown at the Banyan Gallery, the Gallery of Great Things, and the ʻŌlena Gallery.
Juror Statement
Gathering together in a gallery space to celebrate the native species of this rugged island is such a great joy, and brings with it the limits of physical wall space. Because of this and a desire to honor the learning involved in the creation of art, in addition to vision, craftsmanship and highlighting the unique native species of the Big Island, the Artist Statement may become important in the selection process. Along with your art piece, please consider submitting a statement that briefly describes elements of relationship, pilina, in your piece—for example:
1. Your relationship with your selected native species: How is this native species (or several native species) important to you? How did you learn about this or these native species (field trip, family, kumu, books, DLNR website, moʻolelo)?
2. Relationships between native species or the island or people: If you are showing how your selected native species interacts with other native species or its habitat, please describe what you are showing (such as, the native species they eat, where they live, or what other native plants are in their habitat). Or, if you are showing how this native species connected to history or conservation efforts, please describe these connections.
3. Your relationship with your art piece: What do you think about when you look at your own piece? Or, what did you learn making it? If it's significant, what is your relationship to your art medium? What do you want people to think about, learn, or be reminded of when they look at this piece?
Selection
All artwork will be processed through an initial online screening and jurying. We ask the jurying team when selecting work to consider uniqueness of the native species, quality, craftsmanship, and overall presentation. We encourage artists to look beyond the well-known native species and explore the incredible diversity of our Hawaiʻi ecosystems. You will be notified by October 12th if your artwork has been selected for the exhibition. Artwork may not be selected for exhibition despite adherence to rules. PLEASE UNDERSTAND that your artwork may still be juried out despite adhering to all the guidelines.
Entry Divisions
There are five age divisions for entry: Adult, Lower Elementary (grades PreK-3), Upper Elementary (grades 3-5), Middle school (grades 6-8), and High school (grades 9-12). Students do not need to be affiliated with a school to enter. Class or group entries are also available for adults and youth. For the adult divisions, we will have separate categories for two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and photography work.
For Teachers
Space is very limited for youth entries and we strongly encourage classes to either submit group entries (one piece) or to hold a contest in their class and submit the winning artwork. Also, please note, there is a possibility that a student’s artwork may not get selected.
Awards
This year we will have a combination of awards as well as a small makana (gift) for participating artists.
Sales
We strongly encourage artwork to be for sale. If artwork is sold during the exhibition, 60% goes to the artist and 40% will go to the Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance and the Three Mountain Alliance Foundation, which will help support fine arts in the community as well as native species protection and environmental education. Minimum sale price for artwork is $20. Artists may also donate their portion of the sale as a tax-deductible gift.
Opening & Exhibition
The exhibition will begin on November 6th with an Opening Reception celebration that includes music, crafts and refreshments.
Artwork will be displayed at Wailoa Center from November 6 - December 10, 2026.
More Information
For questions, please contact the Hawai‘i Nei planning committee at [email protected]. Plant and animal species that were brought to Hawai’i by early Polynesians who migrated from other islands in the Pacific
Only residents of the Island of Hawai‘i (Big Island) are eligible to participate. All works must be original (no reproductions or AI art will be accepted), have been created in the last four years and must not have been previously shown at Wailoa Center. Artwork in any medium or combination of media is welcome. This exhibit will be displayed in a State Parks facility and, therefore, must adhere to its rules and standards. Controversial subjects such as nudity or controversial political or religious statements may be juried out. If you have questions, please contact Wailoa Center, (808) 933-0416 or [email protected]
Subject
The main subject(s) of your piece(s) must be a species native to Hawai‘i Island. The definition used to define a native species is an organism that naturally arrived to Hawaiʻi without the help of humans via the 3Ws (wind, waves, or wings). It can be either endemic (found only in Hawaiʻi) or indigenous (native to Hawaiʻi and elsewhere). Artwork highlighting non-native species, including Polynesian introductions, as well as native species exclusively endemic to other Hawaiian islands will not be accepted. Artwork made from an endangered native species will not be accepted.
Definitions
- Native: Arrived naturally to Hawaiʻi without the help of humans via the 3Ws.
- Non-native: Arrived to Hawaiʻi with the help of humans, either intentionally or accidentally.
- Endemic: Refers to a native species that is only found in a particular region and nowhere else.
- Indigenous: Refers to a native species that arrived naturally to a region but is also found naturally in other regions.
- Polynesian Introduced: Plant and animal species that were brought to Hawaiʻi by early Polynesians who migrated from other islands in the Pacific.
If a native species is used as a medium in an art piece, we strongly suggest to consider the purpose of using the native species or consider if there is a possible alternative. Please consider the place from which the species will be gathered from - is there a healthy population from which to gather? We also encourage to request permission - from the land owner and species itself. When you are picking, be sure not to introduce invasive species into the area, only to take what is needed, minimize damage to surrounding species, and show gratitude. If you have questions about your subject and whether it fits these parameters, please email [email protected].
How to submit
- All artwork must be registered online by October 9th: How To Enter. All adult entries must register artwork online through CaFE (www.callforentry.org).
- An online profile must be created to submit artwork (adult entries only).
- A photo of the artwork is required for registration (species screening and initial jury will be based on this photo).
- Photo must be a JPEG or JPG, under 5MB and 1200 pixels or larger on the longest side.
- Online screening and jurying will take place October 10th.
- Drop off of accepted artwork:
*West Hawaii participants are required to have their items boxed and ready for transport to Hilo (artwork dimensions for transport cannot exceed 40" including packaging).
East Hawaiʻi: Saturday, October 31, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Wailoa Center in Hilo
Need kōkua? Please contact us in advance to set up an appointment if you are in need of assistance registering your artwork or have questions about native species.
Entry Fees
Artists may enter more than one piece. A non-refundable fee for each entry will be collected with online submission. Entry fees are $20 per entry for adults. Youth (under 18) may enter their artwork for free. We will, however, gratefully accept donations in any amount towards youth entry fees.
Media
We encourage artists to explore a variety of media including the performing arts. A television screen is available upon request to display video media. All artwork must be ready for hanging or installation, including an attached wire for framed pieces. Matted work without frames will not be accepted. No sawtooth hangers. Please visit the website for best methods to hang art. Artists are responsible for transporting heavy pieces into the gallery.
2026 Jurors
Emily Catey Weiss (Adult Divisions)
Emily has years of experience coordinating public art programs and exhibits. She earned a B.F.A. from Ohio State University in 2000, which paved the way for Emily Catey Photography, LLC, which she ran successfully in Hale’iwa on Oahu’s North Shore before moving to the Big Island in 2009. From 2004 to 2009 she was involved in various civic, business and state organizations in the revitalization of Honolulu’s Arts District. She also served as President of the Hale’iwa Arts Festival. She joined the Volcano Art Center as Program Director in 2009. Since then, she has held various positions within the organization. Her philosophy is grounded in the belief that cultivating, sustaining, and celebrating the arts is essential to a vibrant community. Emilyʻs day job creates spaces and exhibitions for the visual arts to be publicly shared, however she deeply values body work, private practice and ritual in her life. She has been a Hatha Yoga instructor for almost 20 years. Gaining inspiration from the natural environment and other creative people, Emily considers herself a lifelong student of all things.
Erzsi Kuba Palko (Youth Divisions)
In legend and fairy stories, trees speak, birds are helpful messengers, and truth and harmony are stronger than deceit. This "magic" that lives, perhaps, in quiet moments making vivid contact with nature is the heart of Erzsi's art, along with endeavoring to be of service in terms of environmental education. Born and raised on Oʻahu, she has a background in teaching performing arts and science. She completed a semester of painting at the art school E.N.S.A.D. while studying abroad in Paris, a certificate in Ethnobotany with the University of Alaska, and a master's degree in Plant and Soil Science at U.H. Mānoa, which provided an opportunity to begin seeing details with the eyes of a botanist. She has authored and illustrated Under the ʻŌhiʻa Tree, a children's book introducing Hawaiʻi's native forest species with Bess Press, and Enchanting Creatures of Hawaiʻi Island, a native species coloring book of rhymes with Petroglyph Press. Participating in the Hawaiʻi Nei exhibit has provided invaluable experience in daring to put work out there and refining illustration ideas. Her artwork has also been shown at the Banyan Gallery, the Gallery of Great Things, and the ʻŌlena Gallery.
Juror Statement
Gathering together in a gallery space to celebrate the native species of this rugged island is such a great joy, and brings with it the limits of physical wall space. Because of this and a desire to honor the learning involved in the creation of art, in addition to vision, craftsmanship and highlighting the unique native species of the Big Island, the Artist Statement may become important in the selection process. Along with your art piece, please consider submitting a statement that briefly describes elements of relationship, pilina, in your piece—for example:
1. Your relationship with your selected native species: How is this native species (or several native species) important to you? How did you learn about this or these native species (field trip, family, kumu, books, DLNR website, moʻolelo)?
2. Relationships between native species or the island or people: If you are showing how your selected native species interacts with other native species or its habitat, please describe what you are showing (such as, the native species they eat, where they live, or what other native plants are in their habitat). Or, if you are showing how this native species connected to history or conservation efforts, please describe these connections.
3. Your relationship with your art piece: What do you think about when you look at your own piece? Or, what did you learn making it? If it's significant, what is your relationship to your art medium? What do you want people to think about, learn, or be reminded of when they look at this piece?
Selection
All artwork will be processed through an initial online screening and jurying. We ask the jurying team when selecting work to consider uniqueness of the native species, quality, craftsmanship, and overall presentation. We encourage artists to look beyond the well-known native species and explore the incredible diversity of our Hawaiʻi ecosystems. You will be notified by October 12th if your artwork has been selected for the exhibition. Artwork may not be selected for exhibition despite adherence to rules. PLEASE UNDERSTAND that your artwork may still be juried out despite adhering to all the guidelines.
Entry Divisions
There are five age divisions for entry: Adult, Lower Elementary (grades PreK-3), Upper Elementary (grades 3-5), Middle school (grades 6-8), and High school (grades 9-12). Students do not need to be affiliated with a school to enter. Class or group entries are also available for adults and youth. For the adult divisions, we will have separate categories for two-dimensional, three-dimensional, and photography work.
For Teachers
Space is very limited for youth entries and we strongly encourage classes to either submit group entries (one piece) or to hold a contest in their class and submit the winning artwork. Also, please note, there is a possibility that a student’s artwork may not get selected.
Awards
This year we will have a combination of awards as well as a small makana (gift) for participating artists.
Sales
We strongly encourage artwork to be for sale. If artwork is sold during the exhibition, 60% goes to the artist and 40% will go to the Hawai‘i Island Art Alliance and the Three Mountain Alliance Foundation, which will help support fine arts in the community as well as native species protection and environmental education. Minimum sale price for artwork is $20. Artists may also donate their portion of the sale as a tax-deductible gift.
Opening & Exhibition
The exhibition will begin on November 6th with an Opening Reception celebration that includes music, crafts and refreshments.
Artwork will be displayed at Wailoa Center from November 6 - December 10, 2026.
More Information
For questions, please contact the Hawai‘i Nei planning committee at [email protected]. Plant and animal species that were brought to Hawai’i by early Polynesians who migrated from other islands in the Pacific