Keiki ocean art celebrates World Ocean Day across Oʻahu

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The University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) presents its annual sci-art exhibit featuring youth ocean art. Running concurrently at three locations across Honolulu, this inspiring multi-venue gallery showcase highlights the creativity, deep cultural ties and ecological understanding of local keiki (grades 3-12) expressing their unique relationship with the ocean. The Waikīkī Aquarium, Capitol Modern and Pacific Islands Exploration Center are partnering with Hawaiʻi Sea Grant to showcase the youth ocean art.

Held throughout June, the exhibition aligns with celebrations for World Ocean Day (June 8) and stands as a foundational community contribution to Hawaiʻi's statewide 2026 declaration of Makahiki Kuleana Kahakai: The Year of Our Coastal Kuleana. By focusing on youth voices, the exhibit turns the concept of shared coastal responsibility into creative community action. Students across Oʻahu were invited to share their own voices, understandings, and visions for the future of Hawaiʻi's ocean.

"The Aquarium is a unique setting where we connect science, conservation, education, and art all together in our wonderful exhibits and programs," said Judy Lemus, interim director of the Waikīkī Aquarium. "This collaboration with Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas to display keiki-made art is a perfect extension of that mission."

The exhibition is centered around the theme: "E mālama i ke kai, a mālama ke kai iā ʻoe" (Care for the ocean and the ocean will care for you). Through the eyes of Hawaiʻi's youth, visitors will be reminded that our connection to the sea is not only ecological, but also cultural, emotional and deeply personal.

Experience the exhibition

Waikīkī Aquarium: June 5-30, daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Capitol Modern (The Hawaiʻi State Art Museum): June 5-20 and July 3-18, Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center: June 5-30, Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Celebrating 22 schools, education programs across Oʻahu

Schools involved:

• Art Tent Studio
• DreamHouse Ewa Beach
• Ewa Makai Middle School
• Hahaʻione Elementary School
• Hawaiʻi State Distance Learning Program
• Hawaiʻi Technology Academy
• Jefferson Elementary School
• Kahuku High and Intermediate School
• Kailua High School
• Kaimukī Christian School
• Kaimukī Middle School
• Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
• Le Jardin Academy
• Mānoa Elementary School
• MoʻO School
• Mōkapu Elementary School
• Noelani Elementary School
• Princess Victoria Kaʻiulani Elementary School
• Sacred Hearts Academy
• Voyager Public Charter School
• Waikīkī Elementary School
• Waipahu High School

"We extend our deepest mahalo to all the brilliant students, dedicated teachers, families, and partners who helped make this exhibition possible," said Beth Lenz, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant assistant director of strategic communications and engagement. "We hope that this collection of art empowers our youth and inspires all who visit them to listen, learn, and care for the ocean that continues to sustain and care for us."

Admission details and gallery viewing hours vary by location. The public is encouraged to check the respective venue websites or visit the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant website to plan their visits.

About

University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program: The University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program is part of the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's prestigious School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. It supports an innovative program of research, education, extension and communication services directed to increasing sustainability of coastal and marine resources and resilience of coastal communities of the state, region and nation. Science serving Hawai'i and the Pacific since 1968.

Waikīkī Aquarium: Founded in 1904 the Waikīkī Aquarium has been an institution of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa since 1919. The aquarium is the second-oldest still-operating public aquarium in the U.S., after the New York Aquarium. Under the UH Mānoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology, the aquarium will continue educational programs, conservation efforts, and community engagement while strengthening research.

Capitol Modern: the Hawaiʻi State Art Museum is a free public art museum in downtown Honolulu. As a part of the Art in Public Places Program of the Hawaiʻi State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the museum features artworks from the Art in Public Places Collection as well as student art and community collaborations. Admission is free.

Pacific Islands Ocean Exploration Center: Located at Honolulu's Aloha Tower Marketplace, the center invites visitors to explore inspiring artwork alongside exhibits featuring the Pacific Islands Region's national marine sanctuaries, including Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa. Admission is free, and all are welcome to discover the unique cultural and natural resources of these protected ocean places. As a collaborative educational space grounded in the Hawaiian concept of Mau ke kai o pili ai kākou-the ocean connects us all-the Center fosters stewardship, exploration, and a deeper connection to our shared ocean heritage.

For more information, visit: https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/news-and-events/in-the-news/