COURTESY INTERNATIONAL ART SOCIETY OF HAWAII "Ron's Papio" by Doug Young is on display as part of the "Kuilima Kakou" exhibit at the Blaisdell Center.

Art exhibition celebrates
Japan-American ties

The International Art Society of Hawaii and Japan's Nikikai organization are celebrating the 150th anniversary of Japan-American relations with a free art exhibition -- "Kuilima Kakou," or "joining of hands" -- in the Blaisdell Center's Pikake Room through Friday.

This is the first Nikakai (Japan)-America joint exhibit to be presented in any American city, featuring 150 juried works from Japan along with works by 50 invited Hawaii artists.

Nikakai is a Japanese arts organization with thousands of members, including many leading artists of Western and modern art in Japan.

"By hosting this exhibit, we contribute towards making Hawaii's art community an integral part of the Asia-Pacific art scene and further enhance cultural understanding as well as expand our economy," said Jane Komeiji, president of the art society.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday. Call 533-2044.