5 Reasons to Visit HiSAM in August 2022

Editor’s note: This article was updated on Aug. 11 to reflect that Super Saturday on Aug. 20 has been canceled.

Photo: Courtesy of Ragamuffs

Everyone knows that art museums have amazing artwork, but HiSAM offers so much more. Best of all, everything is free. Here’s the lineup of what’s in store for August.

Photo: Courtesy of JOBY!

First Friday, Aug. 5, brings you the energetic sounds of local indie rock darlings Ragamuffs and the cool island vibes of JOBY! With an impressive 3.8 million streams on Spotify, Ragamuffs’ melodic bedroom pop songs have been heard in local commercials as well as on the Amazon Prime series I Know What You Did Last Summer. Ragamuffs gained even more attention this year when they performed at the popular SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas. JOBY! is a Native Hawaiian singer-songwriter who wears his heart on his sleeve. His songs and unique sound are influenced by the surf and skate culture that he grew up with.

SEE ALSO: Things to Do on O‘ahu in Summer 2022

Photos: Courtesy of Alika Lyman, Jason Gay and Travis Oh

The Vibe jazz night on Aug. 12 will feature Alika Lyman, a bassist, guitarist, composer and teacher with more than 20 years of experience in jazz. After working professionally in Seattle and New York City with a variety of talented musicians, Lyman returned home to Hawai‘i in 2020. This led to a reunion with old friends and a return to playing music in his garage, where his music journey started. The results are like musical paintings. Guest performers will be professional saxophonist Jason Gay and multitalented trombonist Travis Oh.

Photo: Brandyn Liu

The last Super Saturday of the summer has been postponed. You can expect plenty of family-friendly fun with hands-on art projects inspired by artwork on display in the museum. A recent Super Saturday featured a Louis Pohl-inspired volcano painting workshop; block printing to channel participants’ inner Jean Charlot; and music making for HiSAM’s larger-than-life mascot, Mr. Chickenpants. This popular monthly event includes special live performances and delicious food from pop-up vendors.

SEE ALSO: HiSAM’s Sculpture Garden Reopened With a New Fanciful Sculpture by May Izumi

Photo: Brandyn Liu

Head upstairs to the Turnaround Gallery to see the newly opened exhibit by Hawai‘i Triennial 2022 artist Ed Greevy. This passionate photographer shares the struggles and triumphs of Native Hawaiians and activists in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s, whose historic moments he captured on film as they unfolded. The photographs from the frontlines serve as reminders of how people stood up against forced evictions for land development, the bombing of Kaho‘olawe, construction of the H-3 freeway and more. This exhibit feels like a time capsule and an opportunity to learn more about the past.

Photo: Brandyn Liu

Currently squeezed into the Passion On Display space on the first floor is the giant pink bunny created by Hawai‘i Triennial 2022 artist Momoyo Torimitsu. The work is titled “Somehow, I Don’t Feel Comfortable.” You may be surprised to discover that this inflatable sculpture is actually a feminist statement. According to the wall text, “The piece explores the Japanese notion of cuteness, a syndrome applied not only to consumer goods but also to female behaviors in Japanese society, including communication, negotiation, smiling, and sexuality.” The bunny is a representation of Torimitsu’s frustration, as it feels like it’s about to pop. Selfies are encouraged to keep the conversation going.

Aug. 5, First Friday, 6–9 p.m.

Aug. 12, The Vibe, 6–9 p.m.

Free admission, Hawai‘i State Art Museum, 250 S. Hotel St., @hawaiistateartmuseum

Lisa Shiroma is a correspondent for HiSAM and is an artist and art educator. Lisa is the former owner of the HiSAM Museum Gallery Shop, which she ran with partners Aly Ishikuni-Sasaki and Travis Sasaki from Mori by Art + Flea from 2017 to June 2020.