Artists of Holualoa

The historic village of Holualoa is also a vibrant arts town, home to many of the Big Island's most acclaimed artists. Located within walking distance of Holualoa Inn, a wonderful array of art galleries and studios beckon visitors to experience the creative energy of Holualoa.

Just around the corner from the Inn, Woodworker Cliff John's gallery showcases fantastic pieces by  woodturners, sculptors, painters, photographers, Hawaiian drum makers and furniture makers. In fact, it's one of the only galleries on the Big Island that displays the work of woodworker Holualoa's own Tai Lake, whose famous koa furniture is collected worldwide. On any given day, you might find Cliff demonstrating woodturning or painting on the front porch, or chatting with fellow artists who've dropped by to say hello.


Across the street, the Shelley Maudsley White Gallery features this Holualoa-based artists' wonderful watercolors that depict everything from vibrant florals and native birds to barnyard animals like chickens and roosters. For the last 35 years, Shelley has created a name for herself on the Islands, creating iconic images known throughout Hawai‘i.

Fine furniture-maker Gerald Ben owns Dovetail Gallery and Design, which also features contemporary and abstract art, wood works and jewelry from a variety of local artists. For handcrafted ukuleles, Holualoa Ukulele Gallery presents beautiful koa instruments, and offers classes in ukulele making. A little way up the road, the Ipu Hale Gallery unveils amazing designs on gourds decorated in the traditional Ni‘ihau style.

Sunny Pau‘ole conducts art workshops at the Inn.

Guests of Holualoa Inn can book an art lesson in painting or drawing with artist Sunny Pau‘ole, who has been a familiar face in Holualoa for many years as a gallery owner. Ask our Holualoa Inn ohana for details about the workshops, which take place at the Inn and incorporate beautiful botanicals from our gardens. A small portfolio or canvas is yours to keep.


Innkeeper Holualoa Inn