A career spanning decades of impactful contributions to the arts, education, and social justice.

Meleanna Aluli Meyer is a highly accomplished artist, educator, and cultural advocate whose career spans decades of impactful contributions to the arts, education, and social justice. A recipient of numerous prestigious awards and grants, including the MAMO Kumu Kukui Master Teaching Artist Award and recognition from the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Meyer is celebrated for her mastery in Hawaiian art and her dedication to healing through creative expression. Her scholarly work is equally distinguished, with publications in journals like Educational Perspectives and Hulili, alongside illustrations for culturally significant works such as Oiwi Journal for Native Hawaiians.

Meyer has also played a significant role in community building, serving on various boards and advisory committees, including the ‘Onipa‘a Hawai‘i Pono‘ī Coalition, the Kennedy Center Alliance Arts Education Committee, and the Hawai‘i Alliance for Arts Education. Her professional experience includes leading workshops in healing and cultural expression at the University of Hawai‘i's John A. Burns School of Medicine and pioneering mural projects as tools for social change. With a foundation in educational theory and cultural practice, including the study of ho‘oponopono, Meyer’s work exemplifies the integration of art, education, and cultural preservation, reflecting her lifelong commitment to community empowerment and cultural resurgence.

    • Apprentice Mentoring Grant Team Member, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts / Folk and Traditional Arts Program, Honolulu, Hawai’i (2020-2021)

    • Individual Artist/Artistic Teaching Partners Fellowship, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts, Honolulu, Hawai’i (2019)

    • SEH Honoree, Social Justice in the Arts, Honolulu Hawai’i (2017- ongoing)

    • SFCA Recognition/Purchase Award, Contact, Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu, Hawai’i (2015)

    • MAMO Awardee - Kumu Kukui - Master Teaching Artist in Hawaiian Art and Culture, Honolulu, Hawai’i (2014)

    • 2nd Place in 1st Annual HOEA Awards, Hawai’i, Hawai’i (2010)

    • Selected Attendee, Te Tihi, Indigenous Gathering of Pacific Artists, Aotearoa (2010)

    • Selected Artist Participant at PIKO, Indigenous Arts Gathering, Waimea, Hawai’i (2007)

    • Selected PIC Participant, Attendee for Media Engagement, St. Louis, Illinois (2006)

  • Publications

    • New Old Wisdom, Article in Educational Perspectives, 2019

    • Arting and Writing to Transform Education, Equinox Publishers, 2018

    • Invited contributor to inaugural Hawai’inuiakea Journal, 2011

    • Bishop Museum Journal, 2010

    • Hulili Journal for Research, 2008

    • NCTE, Transformational Education, 2005

    • “Lauhala Weavers” Aloha Magazine, Vol. 3, pg 66-67, 1988

    • “Glances” Aloha Magazine, Vol. 3, pg 62, 1988

    • “Hawai’i” Emphasis International, pg 78, 83, 1982

    • “Wonder” Aloha Magazine, Vol. 1, pg 30-33 1982

    Illustrations

    • Oiwi Journal for Native Hawaiians, 2010

    • “He Mau Nane”, Bishop Press, 2005

    • “Natural Disasters” Honolulu Magazine, pg 41-42, 1989

    • “What Would You Leave?” 1982

    • Founding Member of The Onipa’a Hawai’i Pono’i Coalition; Hawaiian History Month, 2006-2024

    • Ulana, Board Member, Virtual Museum of Arts, Culture, and Education, 2019-2014

    • UH Arts Advisory Committee, Board Member, 2016-2019

    • People’s Fund, Board Member, 2013

    • Ho’ea and Piko, Advisory Board Member, 2007-2011

    • Girl Fest, Board Member, 2005-2007

    • Very Special Arts, Board Member, 2005-2007

    • Hawai’i Consortium for Arts, Vice President 2000-2004

    • Legacy Foundation, Board Member, 2000-2004

    • Mayor’s Task Force, Ad Hoc Advisory Committee Member, 1999-2000

    • Kapiolani Community College, Advisory Arts Committee Member, 1998-1999

    • Trust for Emergent Education, Ad Hoc Advisory Committee member, 1997-1998

    • Ford Foundation Initiative: Changing Communities Diverse Needs, Advisory Committee Member, 1994-1995

    • SAC/ Ethnic Diversity Task Force, Ad Hoc Committee 1994-1995

    • Kennedy Center Alliance Arts Education, national Governance Committee Member, 1993-1994

    • Hawai’i Alliance for Arts Education, Board Member, 1991-1994

    • East-West Center Visual Arts Committee Member 1989-1991

    • Mayor’s Commission on Culture and the Arts Commissioner, 1990-1995

    • Item descriKe Ao Loa, Cohort Healing Work, Workshop Co-Lead as Muralist, M

    • Visual Arts Instruction: Healing Workshops ongoing at JABSOM, Univeristy of Hawai’i, School of Medicine, 2016-2024

    • Teaching Mural Work as a Social Change, Agent Kellogg Foundation, 2016

    • Emerging Indigenous Voices, 2011

    • MACC Teacher in Service, Cultural Expression Through Collaborative Mural Projects, 2004-2009

    • Collaborative Teacher for Educational Cohorts for Halau Wanana, 2003-2010

    • Instructor for Po’i Na Nalu; Hawaiian Student Recruitment and Retention Program at Honolulu Community College, 1995-1956

    • Lecturer for Rainbow Advantage Program for Entering Freshmen at University of Hawai’i at Manoa, 1995-1996

    • Visual Arts Coordinator for Hawai’i Summer Institute - Operation Manong/University of Hawai’i at Manoa, 1991-1992ption

    • Item descriptionStudy of Ho’oponopono, Na Kumu Malena Kaulukukui and Lynette Paglinawan, 2019-2024

    • Masters in Educational Foundations, College of Education at University of Hawai’i at Manoa, 1993

    • Pacific Basin Bilingual Education Certificate, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, 1991

    • Bachelors in Design/Photography with Distinction, Stanford University, 1978