THE place for Arts Information on Kauai, the Garden Island

E Kanikapila Kakou is our premier Hawaiian music program. Every year from February through April (and sometimes into May) the best Hawaiian musicians come to Kauai for a real old time get together. Check the E Kanikapila Kakou page for the latest schedule, pictures and great reviews of previous performances.

Kauai Craft Studios runs workshops and the popular Van Go! program that brings the art van to communities and schools all over the island.

Van Go! has been working with schools and students all over the island to create art that will be used in the newly rebuilt Kamalani Pavilion. You can be a part of rebuilding the pavilion by volunteering with GIAC or making a donation.

Of course GIAC also runs art shows… and many, many other exciting events.

Embrace the arts! Join GIAC today!

GIAC:

• encourages greater public participation in & understanding, enjoyment & appreciation of a wide variety of art & cultural activities
• creates greater public concern about & awareness of the value of art & culture in enriching the lives of residents & visitors by initiating & promoting quality programs
• partners with other community organizations & the community at large to establish a “home” for arts, education & technology where the partners in the facility can effectively carry out their missions to serve the community & help build a strong economic base for our island community

The Garden Island Arts Council (GIAC) is a non-profit organization comprised of an all-volunteer board of directors who provide a year-round program of art, cultural activities & events for the benefit of residents of & visitors to Kauai.

Information about the Gardent Island Arts Council

The Garden Island Arts Council is a private, non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that is supported by its membership, private business, individuals, and funding support from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, the County of Kaua‘i and Hawaii Community Foundation – Gwenfread Elaine Allen Fund and Annie Sinclair Knudsen Fund. Also the Cooke Foundation, Ltd. for Van Go through Hawaii Community Foundation, the Atherton Family Foundation for strategic planning through Hawaii Community Foundation, the Hawaii Tourism Authority for EKK through the Kauai County Office of Economic Development, and the Hawaii Community Foundation for Happy Crutches through a Mo’ Bettah Together grant.

Board of Directors

Carol Yotsuda – Executive Director

GARDEN ISLAND ART COUNCIL BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2022-23

JODI ASCUENA: Jodi Ascuena was born in Newcastle, England and went to college in Manchester where she got her BA degree in Fashion and Textile Design and MA in Graphic Design, specializing in fashion illustration. After graduating, she became a part-time lecturer at Manchester University and also ran her own clothing company. She married Victor Ascuena in Arizona, took up teaching at Plaza 3 School of Fashion and also Mesa Community College and again started a clothing company and interior design business. Jodi and Victor moved to Kaua’i in 1992 where they make their home in sunny Koloa. Jodi graduated in Hawaiian Studies at Kaua’i Community College in 2011 and continues to attend this school as a student in the area of Hawaiian Language. (625)

TAMARA BRAUN: An aerial dancer, yoga instructor, fitness coach, and theatrical performer she found a perfect fit in the world of aerial arts. From a very young age, the spotlight terrified me and yet I return to it over and over, scared every time yet knowing that I have something very special to share. In many ways everything I have done in this life is a culmination of preparation, practice, to get to the delivery of “it’s showtime” is fantastically challenging and beautiful. From concept to culmination each production no matter how large or small gives me another chance to face my fear and lets my artistic expression be enjoyed by others. I truly love dancing in the air. High Sky Dance Company is focused on bringing our community unique and well curated Variety Shows that have a focus on aerial performance. You’ll often see us involved with holiday galas, large fundraisers, festivals, as well as private events. (770)

DONA CUNNINGHAM: Dona is a retired program integration and logistic expert in the aerospace field. She has an Organizational Management Degree from La Verne University and a Systems Engineering Certificate from Cal Tech. She has been a sponsor and volunteer at E Kanikapila Kakou since 2014. Dona is an avid quilter and contributes to the Kauai Food Bank and the YWCA Women’s Shelter. (322)

MICKI EVSLIN: Born in New Rochelle, New York, Micki assumed she’d live in Paris after earning a degree in French from the University.of Vermont. Instead, she married Bill and followed his career as a pediatrician and medical administrator, living in Mexico, Maine and Guam before settling on Kaua’i in 1979 where she raised their four children, Tanya, Noah, Nathaniel and Luke. She became the co-owner of Sleeping Giant Realty, now Sothebys Sleeping Giant. Her volunteer activities centered around the new and struggling Island School and Kauai Hospice, originating the Tour of Homes fundraiser for both organizations and also served as a Hospice client volunteer. She later co-founded The Kauai Guild, the volunteer arm of Child and Family Service. In 2015 Micki and a friend opened KIKO, a “little of everything” store in Kapaa devoted to things that are both simple and beautiful. She has always been drawn to the arts and recently set up her own ceramics studio. Joining the GIAC board will be a welcome way to participate in an art community that she has always admired. (898)

SHANNON HIRAMOTO: Born and raised on Kaua’i, Shannon is dedicated to nurturing and contributing to the island’s creative scene. She received a BFA in Printmaking and a BA in English from UH Manoa. Since 2007 she has created handmade one-of-a-kind clothing under the name, machinemachine. Her work is categorized as “circular fashion”—whereby new clothing is made with upcycled materials found secondhand, neutralizing the negative environmental impact of fashion. Shannon is also passionate about the mu’umu’u and has started #muumuumonth, which is a month-long celebration of the special garment every January. In 2022 Shannon launched themuumuarchive.com, a photographic and narrative repository for mu’umu’u collections. Her work studio is in Lawai and she lives in her hometown of Koloa with her daughter Charli. (698)

SUSAN HOERNER: Susan graduated with a degree in Marketing from Ferris State University in Michigan. After moving to California with husband, Charlie, where they raised 2 daughters, she went back to school to study graphic design. She opened her own graphics firm in Sonoma County, CA, and became an active member of the community, serving on the boards of both Hospice and the Chamber of Commerce. Susan and Charlie bought their Kaua’i home right after their first visit to the island, almost 25 years ago, when Susan immediately took up outrigger canoe paddling. She paddled competitively for 10 years at an exceedingly “older” age and now loves to go out on the water with other “seasoned” paddlers several times a week. Since retiring, Susan spends many hours in her pottery studio when in Portland Oregon, which is now their part-time mainland home. Susan loves EKK and finds GIAC a perfect place to “give back” to her Kaua’i community. (783)

TERENCE M LIU: Terence “Terry” Liu brings to the GIAC board a multi-faceted wealth of experiences in the Arts. During his 26-year career with the National Endowment for the Arts (1990 – 2016), Terry served in many capacities as Folk & Traditional Arts Grants Specialist, Folk & Traditional Arts Director at the Arts Council for Long Beach, Arts Education Grants Specialist, and co-founder of the non-profit Alliance for California Traditional Arts (ACTA). He represented the NEA in the national network of community-based youth arts programs and continues to participate in National Arts and Humanities Youth Arts Program. Upon returning to Hawai’i, Terry served as Hawai’i Arts Alliance consultant and later as Interim CEO 2017 to 2019 where he secured federal, state, and county grants and contracts. An avid musician, he earned a PhD Ethnomusicology Kent State University (1988), an MA Ethnomusicology and Musicology University of Hawaii at Manoa (1982), and a B. Music Violin Performance Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory (1979). He is a Shinpiden-level teacher and practitioner of Usui Reiki. He holds occupational Licenses and Certificates in Dispute Resolution: Pepperdine University with University of Maryland Francis K Carey School of Law (2009) and Mediation and Conflict Resolution: NVSM Conflict Resolution Center (2008). Terence “Terry” Liu currently manages Martin & MacArthur Gallery in the Shops at Kukui’ula in Koloa, volunteers with Kaua’i County OED, Rice Street Business Association, Garden Island Arts Council, Hanapepe Soto Zen Temple, Kauai Local Leadership Council for Catholic Charities Hawaii and National Traditional Arts Exchange (Tradex) in Honolulu. (1437)

CAMMIE MATSUMOTO: Cammie loves art and completely respects artists and their creative inclinations. A graduate of UH Manoa, Cammie earned her Fine Arts degree in ceramics and textile design and a degree in English. She helped start a ceramic business and served as the company’s designer, sales rep and production manager where she designed the company’s products. She was a member of the Hawaii Potter’s Guild in Honolulu and served on the Board of Directors for Hawaii Literacy, Inc. from 1998 – 2004. Her family is from Kaua’i. Retired as director of Community Relations & Special Projects at Kaua’i Community College, she lives in Honolulu but keeps her ties with Kaua’i as board member of GIAC and Lawai International Center. (611)

IRA H. MEYER: After law school, Ira was a participant in the Reginald Heber Smith Community Law Fellowship program, administered by the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Michigan. This program sent young lawyers around the country to do impact litigation and economic development in inner cities. Ira worked with the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County in Oakland, California as a “Reggie”, and then became the Director of the Washtenaw County Legal Aid program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Returning to Berkeley, California, he opened a family law practice. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Alameda County Family Law Association until he retired in 2005. He also taught a paralegal course at San Francisco State University. Ira is currently a Board Member of Malama Maha’ulepu, and a volunteer for EKK. He loves to play his ‘ukulele, especially with other people. (743)

BEVERLY MONTEL: Beverly Montel had a 40-year career in the printing and graphics industry. Initially, she worked for a wholesale company in Union City, CA, eventually becoming the advertising manager. After working for a printing company in Fresno for 10 years, Beverly and her husband started their own printing business which, after 25 years, grew into one of Central California’s largest commercial printing establishments. She is retired and has lived in Wailua since 2007. She came to GIAC as a volunteer for E Kanikapila Kakou. (449)

MICHAEL SHINTANI: Michael attended UH M?noa and Honolulu Community College. He moved from O?ahu to Kaua?i in 1978 and worked as an electronics technician and IT Specialist at PMRF until retiring in 2016. He did sound and lighting for a Polynesian revue in Waik?k? and for several Kauai Community Players productions. On the board of N? Pali Coast ?Ohana, he volunteers on many of the Nu?alolo Kai summer work trips. Since 2009, he has been assisting N? K?lai Wa?a o Kaua?i with the construction of N?m?hoe, the Kaua?i voyaging canoe. He creates the near real-time map of H?k?le?a and Hikianalia for the Polynesian Voyaging Society. (527)

R. EVE SOLOMON: With an extensive background in graphics, display and puppet theater, Eve has taught commercial art, calligraphy and arts and crafts at Island School and Kaua’i Crafts Studio. She is a past director of the Kaua’i Academy of Creative Arts. Her paintings and jewelry are sold at The Art Shop in Lihu’e and the Hawaiians Artisans in Kapa’a. She has served as a veteran board member for many years with the GIAC and the Kaua’i Society of Artists. (347)

DIANE WRY UNDERWOOD: After earning a M.D. degree from the University of Colorado, Diane completed an Ophthalmology residency in Virginia and was a fellow in corneal surgery at Kresge Eye Institute in Michigan. She served on the board of the Lions’ Eye Bank and as an associate professor, taught residents at the Medical College of Hampton Roads. After 24 years of practice in Norfolk, Virginia, she is retired from medicine. Her family moved to Kauai in 2004 to enjoy and embrace the Hawaiian culture where she is currently pursuing a lifelong interest in the arts, painting with Kaua’i artists and seeking her own style. A member of KSA and GIAC, she would love to assist in developing a Center for the Arts on Kaua’i. (594)

CAROL KOUCHI YOTSUDA: A charter member of the GIAC and its first president, Carol has been an active volunteer in the arts for six-plus decades, bringing enrichment to the lives of the people of Kaua’i. She started the E Kanikapila Kakou program, the Kaua’i Crafts Studio, Van Go! Mobile Art Room and the Kaua’i Academy of Creative Arts. She has an MFA from the University of Hawaii and is a practicing artist, a retired public school art teacher and art instructor at the Kauai Community College. She now focuses her energy on mentoring young artists to find their voice. She serves as GIAC Executive Director. (507)

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