AANHPI Month: Celebrating Arts and Culture in Hawai‘i

May 12, 2023 Hawaii

photo credit: Michael Surprenant

In a warm virtual welcome at the 2023 Hawai’i Arts Summit Eō: Calling out the Future!, Chief Engagement Officer Brandi Alexander introduced Compassion & Choices to more than 100 leaders of Hawaiian businesses, arts organizations and community based organizations.  Alexander’s message, reflecting on the role of art as the foundation for communication, transformation and meaning, expanded on Hawai’i Mayor Mitchell Roth’s introduction of art as an anchor for a healthy, resilient and sustainable society.  

In between the panel presentations on emerging societal issues and the arts, dynamic hula (Hawaiian dance), oli (Hawaiian chanting), musical performances, living history, and dance held the audience in thrall until the last beat of the taiko drums ended the day, underscoring this community’s effort to catalyze potent partnerships across disciplines and to plan and build for the future.

The 2023 Arts Summit focused on the role of artists and the arts as leaders in our communities and society. Artists move all of us toward a more inspired, inclusive and compassionate society. Art keeps traditions alive, keeps cultures thriving and passes culture on to the next generation. The same can be said when we plan and prepare for the life we want to lead and the legacy we want to leave behind.

Compassion & Choices is dedicated to providing resources to communities in Hawaii and around the nation about the end of life. We wouldn’t be able to do this work without the contributions of artists and community members like those participating in this summit.