Photo Credit: Hunter Kaye

Photo Credit: Hunter Kaye

Aloha! welcome to the Society of Asian Art of Hawai’i, Inc.!

As a nonprofit organization, we embrace Asian art, both the traditional and the contemporary. We strongly condemn Asian hate crimes, and hate crimes against any race or nationality. If you enjoy continued learning or are looking for a fun group to join, look no further!


Living in Hawai’i, we have much to be grateful for. The dynamic human landscape with its multi-ethnic cultures ranks Hawai’i a place second to none. The racial diversity goes back to the 1850s when Western diseases caused thousands of deaths in the kingdom of Hawai’i that resulted in labor shortages on the plantations. Chinese were the first wave of recruited immigrant workers who arrived in 1851, followed by the Japanese in 1868, the Koreans in 1903, and the Filipinos in 1909. Today, Asian Americans account for 38.6% of Hawai’i’s total population.  

In the early 1970s, a small group of enthusiasts, collectors and scholars began regular meetings at their homes to study the works of art they possessed. With growing interest and participation, the Oriental Art Society (OAS) was officially founded on October 7, 1974. Artist and art educator, Tseng Yuho (Betty) Ecke, wrote the calligraphy,美, for the Society’s logo. In 1999, OAS was renamed the Society of Asian Art of Hawai’i. But it was not until October 17, 2007 that the Society became a 501 (c) (3) incorporated organization. To learn more about our history, click here.

Our mission: 

  • Promote the understanding and appreciation of Asian art.

  • Encourage the creation, preservation and collection of Asian art.

  • Disseminate knowledge of Asian art by granting scholarships to college students taking Asia-related art courses.  From 2008 to 2020, twenty-three UH students have received SAAH scholarships.

Our approach:

  • From September to May, SAAH presents 7-8 free public programs, wherein Asian art experts give illustrated lectures or gallery tours. Additionally, a guest speaker’s forum is offered from time to time to the community at large, featuring an esteemed scholar or expert from the US mainland or foreign countries. Specific gallery group tours are also arranged for members.

  • Past international guest speakers include Art Historian Michael Sullivan from the UK; Mr. Brian S. McElney, founder of the Museum of East Asian Art, Bath, UK; Dr. Jenny So of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Dr. Puay-peng Ho of the National University of Singapore; Dr. Fang Hui, Director of Shandong University’s Museum; Director Fumio Nanjo of the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan, and Katherine Don from HK Sotheby's. From the US mainland, art connoisseur C.C. Wong of New York; Prof. Wei Ming Tu of Harvard University; Dr. Zoe Kwok of the Princeton Art Museum, and Mary Ann Rogers of Kaikodo Gallery, New York, among others.

That said, local academia, art experts and our own members have been SAAH’s main pool of speakers. Since the list is long, viewers are welcome to browse recent year’s Programs here.

Our heartfelt mahalo to every speaker!

  • One of SAAH’s reasons for being is to raise funds through donations and silent auctions, and the proceeds are applied to scholarship funds. Recipients are awarded at the September meeting. At the annual meeting in early May, each recipient gives a brief report to the membership on her/his accomplishments during the year. Updated Scholarship Application is available on the website in January each year.  Click here to see our past scholarship recipients

  • Foster partnerships with like-minded nonprofit institutions and groups. 

    All events take place in an informal social setting, with camaraderie, animated discussion among members, and refreshments prepared by SAAH volunteers. 

Members share refreshments after a presentation at the East West Center, UH Manoa.

Members share refreshments after a presentation at the East West Center, UH Manoa.