2025 The 17th Annual Hawaiʻi Nei

Hawaiʻi Nei is an annual exhibition celebrating native species of Hawaiʻi Island. Artists of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to create work depicting the plants, animals, and habitats native to Hawaiʻi Island in any media.

Artwork must feature species native to Hawaiʻi Island—organisms that naturally arrived without human assistance via wind, waves, or wings. Both endemic species (found only in Hawaiʻi) and indigenous species (native to Hawaiʻi and elsewhere) are acceptable. Artwork featuring non-native species, Polynesian introductions, or species endemic exclusively to other Hawaiian islands will not be accepted. Artwork made from materials of endangered native species will not be accepted.

Entry fee is $20 per submission with a maximum of five entries per artist. Submissions close October 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM HST. Artists will be notified of acceptance by October 13, 2025. All selected adult artwork is required to be for sale with a minimum price of $20. If sold, 60% goes to the artist and 40% to the Hawaiʻi Island Art Alliance and Three Mountain Alliance Foundation to support fine arts and native species protection. The exhibition runs November 7 through December 11 at Wailoa Center in Hilo. Drop-off is November 1 at Wailoa Center (10:00 AM–2:00 PM) or October 31 at Kona Frame Shop (10:00 AM). Pick-up is December 11–12 at both locations.