Hawaiʻi Contemporary

The 2017 Biennial, titled Middle of Now | Here, was curated by Fumio Nanjo and Ngahiraka Mason[9] and took place from March 8–May 8 of that year.[10] Each of the previous biennial events welcomed over 100,000 guests from Hawai‘i, the Pacific region, and around the world. Artists included:[11] Vernon Ah Kee, Sama Alshaibi,[12] Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, Andrew Binkley, Drew Broderick, Jane Chang Mi, Kaili Chun, Sean Connelly,[10] Beatrice Glow, Brett Graham, Marques Hanalei Marzan, Choi Jeong Hwa, Kathy Jetnil Kijiner, Mohammad Kazem,[13] Yuki Kihara, Charlton Kūpa’a Hee, Yayoi Kusama, Al Lagunero, Alexander Lee, Les Filter Feeders, Mariquita Micki Davis, Lee Mingwei, Eko Nugroho, Fiona Pardington, Lisa Reihana, Chris Ritson, Michelle L. Schwengel-Regala, Greg Semu, teamLab, John Vea, Zhan Wang, Lynne Yamamoto, and Ken & Julia Yonetani.

The title of the 2019 Biennial, To Make Wrong / Right / Now, was taken from the poem Manifesto by participating Kanaka Maoli artist 'Imaikalani Kalahele.[14] The 2019 Honolulu Biennial featured 47 artists based in and around the Pacific, and was curated by Nina Tonga, Josh Tengan (assistant curator), and Devon Bella (curatorial consultant).[15] The Biennial focused on indigenous artists and local issues.[16] Artists included: Pio Abad and Frances Wadsworth Jones, Bernice Akamine,[17] DB Amorin, Brook Andrew, Ei Arakawa, James Bamba, Raymond Boisjoly, Bradley Capello, Central Pacific Time, Abraham Cruzvillegas, DAKOgamay, Demian DinéYazhi´, Solomon Enos, Nicholas Galanin, Andy Graydon, Taloi Havini, Hoʻoulu ʻĀina Artist Collective, ʻImaikalani Kalāhele, Florence Jaukae Kamel,[17] Misaki Kawai, Lee Kit, Mat Kubo, Kapulani Landgraf,[10] Chenta Laury, Ara Laylo, Jeremy Leatinu’u, Mario Lemafa, Ellen Lesperance, Janet Lilo, Mata Aho Collective, Leland Miyano, Marianne Nicolson, Paul Pfeiffer, Postcommodity, Rosanna Raymond,[17] SaVAge K'lub, Natalie Robertson, Chiharu Shiota, Bruna Stude, Taupōuri Tangarō, Cory Taum, Maika’i Tubbs,[10] Kalisolaite ‘Uhila, Marie Watt, Guan Xiao, Amy Yao, and Young-Had Chang Heavy Industries.

In February 2021, Hawaiʻi Contemporary hosted their first digital Art Summit, Pacific Century — E Ho‘omau no Moananuiākea.[18] The Art Summit explored the same theme as the 2022 Triennial, and also highlighted some of the featured artists.[19] Notable international speakers include Ai Weiwei, Theaster Gates, and Homi K. Bhabha.[20]

February 18–May 8, 2022 Hawaiʻi Contemporary will host the next Triennial, titled Pacific Century — E Hoʻomau no Moananuiākea.[21] The Triennial is curated by Dr. Melissa Chiu, Dr. Miwako Tezuka, and Drew Kahuʻāina Broderick.[22] Featured artists include Ai Weiwei[23] (whose mask collection,[24] The Way Follows Nature, was made specifically to benefit Hawai’i Triennial 2022),[25] Theaster Gates, Sun Xun, and Liu Xiaodong, as well as Hawaiʻi-based artists Herman Piʻikea Clark[26] and Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio.[27] "The show will focus on climate change, history, social activism, and indigenous knowledge about Hawaii in the context of Asia and Oceania."[28]