Kilohana Art League


The Kilohana Art League was formed in 1894 as Honolulu’s first art association. On May 5, 1894, the woodcarver Augusta Graham, the sculptor Allen Hutchinson, and painters D. Howard Hitchcock and Annie H. Park created a forum where local artists could exhibit together and share ideas. Other members included Alfred Richard Gurrey, Sr. and Bessie Wheeler.
“Kilohana’’ is a compound word derived from two Hawaiian language words: kilo meaning to observe carefully or to spy out, and :wiktionary:hana#Hawaiian|hana, meaning work. The Kilohana Art League was disbanded in 1913, and its funds were transferred to the Outdoor Circle.

Organization

The League was organized into sub-organizations known as "circles", such as the Pictorial and Plastic Circle of the Kilohana Art League, the Dramatic Circle of the Kilohana Art League, the Musical Circle of the Kilohana Art League, the Literary Circle of the Kilohana Art League, and the Outdoor Circle of the Kilohana Art League.