ʻElepaio Press

ʻElepaio Press (1976–), co-founded by brothers Richard and Mark Hamasaki, took shape during a cultural reawakening across Ka Paeʻāina o Hawaiʻi and a lull for small-press publishing in Honolulu, Oʻahu. Taking its name from the monarch flycatchers endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, ʻElepaio centered on the experiences of local and Indigenous artists—writers, poets, photographers, illustrators, and musicians. Active for nearly half a century, friendship remains the press’ guiding principle, and its collaborative approach to publishing has generated a network of relationships spanning interconnected communities in Hawaiʻi and abroad.

Energized by their times, friends Richard Hamasaki, Wayne Kaumualii Westlake (1947–84), and Paul L. Oliveira began collaborating on an art and literary publication titled Seaweeds and Constructions (S&C). Self-published by ‘Elepaio, S&C is one of the press’ most significant projects. Distributed in small print runs determined by the available shoestring budget at the time of publication, the journal ran for a total of seven issues from 1976 to 1984, providing a much-needed outlet for decolonial and Indigenous expressions. Across its printed pages, the magazine collated a wide range of representation featuring prose, poetry, drawings, prints, photographs, chants, and songs.

As S&C was growing—generating literary and artistic currents to nourish an emerging transoceanic counterpublic—the publication suffered an insurmountable loss in 1984 with the death of Wayne Kaumualii Westlake. Devastated, the remaining S&C editors decided to dissolve the journal. Before dispersing, the group reprinted a second edition of the issue ‘A Pacific Islands Collection’, dedicated in memory of Westlake. In the decades since, ʻElepaio Press founders have continued to honor the life and labors of their friends through poetry, publications, exhibitions, albums, performances, and films, all the while reminding participants of the transformative potential of intergenerational collaboration across different communities.

For HT22, ʻElepaio will present a selection of poetic and politically conscious projects with a focus on print and time-based media, from over fifty years of collaborations throughout Oceania. Contributors—past, present, and future—featured in the installation include Paul L. Oliveira, Wayne Kaumualii Westlake, Shinichi Takahashi, Kimie Takahashi, Ilima Piianaia, Dana Naone, black dog (Michael Among), Robert Lamansky, Wing Tek Lum, Mari Kubo, Keiko Butts, Cathy Song, Gary Pak, John Kelly, Dietrich Varez, Joseph P. Balaz, Ian Lind, Haunani-Kay Trask, Mike Moriarty, Kathryn Brundage Takara, Joseph Stanton, Kimo Zablan, Albert Wendt, Epeli Hauʻofa, Donald Kalpokas, Celo Kulagoe, Pio Manoa, Evelyn Patuawa-Nathan, Eti Saʻaga, Subramani, Konai Helu Thaman, Makiuti Tongia, John Kasaipwalova, Ed Greevy, ʻĪmaikalani Kalāhele, Kapulani Landgraf, Dennis Kawaharada, Paul L. Lyons, Colleen Kimura, Marjorie Tuainekore Crocombe, H. Doug Matsuoka, Matt Barnett, Wendell Ing, John Pule, Amy Yamashiro, Sia Figiel, Teresia Teaiwa, Vaitoa Mallon, Justyn Ah Chong, ʻĀina Paikai, kekahi wahi (Sancia Shiba Nash and Drew K. Broderick), Thad Higa, and Mei-Li M. Siy.