Fine Bowls & Vases

Kainoa Makua grew up on the Island of Hawai'i where he still resides today, in the town of Hilo.

A 1989 graduate of Kamehameha Schools, It was there, after exploring many art mediums, he discovered

his passion for ceramics. This continued through his college years at University of Hawai'i

at Hilo where he refined his art and ceramic skills and earned a B.A. in fine arts under the instruction

and guidance of Art Professor Wayne Miyamoto & Ceramics Professor Gordon Lee.

Kainoa is versed in many media; digital art, drawing, painting, wood and stone carving, but the

medium of the 'aina, or clay/ceramics is one of his true passion's and how he best expresses himself.

Whether throwing a functional mug, or sculpting an abstract vessel, they are all uniquely designed to

express his Hawaiian point of view. By drawing on his Hawaiian background and cultural arts, such

as hala weaving, carving, kapa and lei hulu/feather work as his inspirations, he is able to blend the

past and present to create contemporary art and pottery with a traditional Hawaiian aesthetic.

Kainoa’s art has been featured throughout the state at many prominent galleries; Bishop Museum,

Downtown Art Center, Maui Art & Cultural Center, Viewpoints Gallery, Donkey Mill Gallery, East

Hawai'i Cultural Center, Wailoa Art Center, Kahilu Gallery and Volcano Art Center just to name a

few. He has also been a regular artist in many annual art shows and exhibitions such as, the MAMo

Art Show, the Hawai'i Craftsman Exhibition, the Celebration of Hawai'i Show, the MANA Invitational

Art Show, a two man art exhibition with his father Nelson Makua titled "Na Makana" at Volcano

Art Center Gallery, and in 2025 a collaborative show at Donkey Mill Gallery with master ceramicist

Stephen Freedman. He was also recognized with the "Award of Excellence in 3D" at the MACC Biennial

2025 for his 'Umeke Lehua pottery piece that was also purchased by the State Foundation of the

Arts.

Kainoa, a second generation artist, is also a full time graphic designer and co-owner of Nä Mäkua

Original Hawaiian Designs, a line of casual Hawaiian wear he established in 1999, with his father and

business partner Nelson Makua, a longtime designer and artist himself. Together, the duo developed

a company that focuses on 'ohana, culture and their pride of being Hawaiian. “Our images often create

strong emotional feelings in Hawaiians and we are often told how proud our designs make them

feel when they wear our clothes. We call it wearable Hawaiian Art”

By incorporating his contemporary graphic design background with traditional Hawaiian art, and

other indigenous pottery techniques throughout the world, Kainoa has created his own unique style

that is bold, personal and distinctive. His art and clay creations reflect the duality of the modern day

Hawaiian artist and traditional values of Hawai'i and it's people.