Report on the “Kaiāulu: Rising Together” Art Initiative and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction

This report details the “Kaiāulu: Rising Together” art exhibition, an initiative by the Hawaiʻi State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (CCMAC). The exhibition showcases original artwork focused on climate change, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event leverages art as a medium to foster community engagement and awareness regarding climate action and sustainable living, with a particular focus on SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

2.0 Program Overview: Climate Artist-in-Residence

The featured works are the culmination of a year-long Climate Artist-in-Residence program established by the CCMAC. This program immerses local artists in critical sustainability topics, aligning with a broad spectrum of SDGs.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Artists mentor students, integrating creative arts with environmental education.
• SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): The residency includes education on energy efficiency.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): A core focus is placed on community resilience.
• SDG 15 (Life on Land): The program is rooted in principles of land stewardship (mālama ʻāina) and cultural knowledge.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The initiative is a collaborative effort between CCMAC, Capitol Modern, and the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program.

3.0 Artistic Contributions and Alignment with Specific SDGs

The four featured artists have produced works that interpret key sustainability challenges and solutions, each connecting to specific SDGs.

1. Erin Voss: Her work visualizes “ridge-to-reef” watershed management, inspired by the ahupuaʻa system. This directly addresses:
   • SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By highlighting the impact of urbanization on coastal ecosystems.
   • SDG 15 (Life on Land): By promoting traditional and sustainable land management practices.
   • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): By emphasizing the importance of watershed health.
2. Keisha Tanaka: Through photography, Tanaka documents community interconnectedness and mutual support (kākoʻo). This supports:
   • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By showcasing the social fabric and resilience essential for sustainable communities.
   • SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): By illustrating the strength derived from community cohesion.
3. Gillian Duenas: Her paintings explore visions for a climate-just future for Pacific Islander residents. This work is central to:
   • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By focusing on climate justice for vulnerable populations.
   • SDG 13 (Climate Action): By imagining equitable solutions to the climate crisis.
4. Benjamin Fairfield: He transforms discarded materials into functional musical instruments, providing a powerful statement on resourcefulness. This directly relates to:
   • SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): By demonstrating innovative approaches to waste reduction and promoting a circular economy.
   • SDG 4 (Quality Education): By engaging elementary school students on the lifecycle of consumer products.

4.0 Exhibition Details

• Event: Gallery Opening and Reception for “Kaiāulu: Rising Together”
• Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
• Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
• Venue: Capitol Modern – Hawaiʻi State Art Museum, 250 South Hotel St., Honolulu
• Admission: Free

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the local artists’ showcase in Hawaii addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its focus on climate change, community engagement, education, and traditional knowledge. The following SDGs are relevant:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: The Artist-in-Residence program involves artists mentoring students and collaborating with elementary schools to teach about consumption and resource use, promoting education for sustainable development.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article highlights efforts to build “community resilience” and references the “Climate Action Pathways,” a statewide plan developed with community input to make Hawaii more resilient to climate change.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: One artist’s work, which “turns trash into functional musical instruments,” directly addresses themes of waste reduction, reuse, and rethinking consumption patterns.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: This is the central theme of the article. The entire art exhibit and the Climate Artist-in-Residence program are designed to raise awareness about the “urgent realities of climate change” and inspire solutions.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: The artwork visualizing “‘ridge-to-reef’ planning” and the “impact of urbanization on coastal ecosystems” directly connects to the health and sustainable management of marine and coastal environments.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: The focus on “land stewardship,” “watershed thinking,” and the traditional “ahupuaʻa land management” system relates to the sustainable use and conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The event is a collaborative effort between the Hawaiʻi State Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission (CCMAC), Capitol Modern, and the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program, demonstrating a multi-stakeholder partnership.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities and themes described, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 4.7: “By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development…” This is addressed through the artists who “mentor students through creative art” and collaborate with schools to discuss how “everyday products are sourced, consumed and discarded.”
2. Target 11.b: “By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards… adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters…” The article mentions the “CCMAC’s Climate Action Pathways, a statewide plan developed with extensive community input to promote climate resilience,” which is a direct example of such a plan.
3. Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” This is exemplified by the artist Benjamin Fairfield, who “turns trash into functional musical instruments, showing how things deemed worthless can still have value.”
4. Target 13.3: “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.” The entire purpose of the art exhibit, “Kaiāulu: Rising Together,” is to use art as a “powerful way to make sense of these experiences and to create visions for solutions” regarding climate change.
5. Target 14.2: “By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts…” This is relevant to Erin Voss’s work, which focuses on the “impact of urbanization on coastal ecosystems” through the lens of “‘ridge-to-reef’ planning.”
6. Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…” This target is connected to the artwork inspired by “ahupuaʻa land management” and “watershed thinking,” which are traditional, integrated approaches to managing land and water resources.
7. Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The event itself is a partnership between a state commission (CCMAC), a state museum (Capitol Modern), and a university program (University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not mention official quantitative indicators, it implies several qualitative and activity-based indicators that can measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 13.3: The number and reach of public awareness initiatives on climate change. The “Kaiāulu: Rising Together” art exhibit serves as a specific instance of such an initiative.
• Indicator for Target 4.7: The existence and implementation of educational programs that integrate sustainable development. The “Climate Artist-in-Residence program,” which involves mentoring students and collaborating with schools, is a measurable program.
• Indicator for Target 11.b: The development and adoption of local and state-level climate resilience plans. The article explicitly names the “Climate Action Pathways” as an existing statewide plan.
• Indicator for Target 12.5: The promotion of waste reduction and reuse through community projects and education. The creation of musical instruments from trash is a tangible example of promoting reuse.
• Indicator for Targets 14.2 and 15.1: The integration of traditional ecological knowledge into modern resource management discussions. The promotion of concepts like “ahupuaʻa” and “ridge-to-reef” planning through art indicates progress in valuing and applying this knowledge.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The number of multi-stakeholder partnerships formed to address sustainability goals. The collaboration between the three distinct organizations (CCMAC, Capitol Modern, UH Sea Grant) for the event is a direct indicator of such a partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dlnr.hawaii.gov