Leeward Community College’s own Kosta Kulundžić, a talented artist and passionate educator, was recently featured in , a national platform that celebrates creatives making meaningful contributions in their communities. The interview highlighted Kulundžić’s compelling blend of traditional artistic technique and bold, contemporary themes, as well as his commitment to curating inclusive, thought-provoking exhibitions.

At Leeward CC, Kulundžić brings that same drive and creativity into his multifaceted role. As a visual arts faculty member and coordinator of the campus’ , he is deeply invested in nurturing the next generation of artists while strengthening the connection between the college and the broader community.

‘Shine through art’

Beyond teaching, his leadership at the Hōʻikeākea Gallery has transformed the space into a dynamic cultural venue that celebrates local stories and diverse voices. With a curatorial approach rooted in collaboration and social relevance, Kulundžić creates exhibitions that resonate both on campus and beyond.

“When I began as gallery coordinator, my main goal was to make the gallery—and Leeward CC—shine through art,” said Kulundžić. “I have worked, and continue to work, with all my energy to achieve that.”

His ability to foster meaningful connections—between artist and audience, tradition and innovation, and community and institution—has elevated the gallery into a vital cultural hub for West Oʻahu.

Kulundžić encourages his students to challenge norms, embrace risk-taking, and express their identities through art. His classrooms are vibrant spaces where critical thinking and creativity go hand in hand.

The Shoutout LA, feature not only celebrated his personal achievements but also highlighted the broader impact of his work at Leeward CC.

“It made me incredibly happy and proud to see that this effort was, in some way, recognized,” Kulundžić said. “But this is not just a personal success; it reflects the incredible trust and support that Leeward has placed in me and in my vision for the gallery.”

Through his teaching, curatorial work and community engagement, Kosta Kulundžić continues to inspire students and shape Hawaiʻi’s creative future—one brushstroke, exhibition and conversation at a time.

The at Leeward Community College is open to the public.

A new art gallery on the campus will hold its grand opening on April 29.

Hōʻikeākea Gallery, whose name was inspired by a Hawaiian studies exhibit five years ago, will be a space dedicated to featuring artists from Hawaiʻi and around the world. The name Hōʻikeākea comes from the Hawaiian words hōʻike (to show/exhibit/reveal, cause to be seen), ike (to see/know/experience/understand) and ākea (broad, wide expanse, spacious).

“This gallery has been a longtime dream for many in our Leeward Community. Former Dean of Arts and Sciences Jim Goodman, as well as retired faculty Michael Harada worked tirelessly with Mark Lane (former vice chancellor) to get this initiative off the ground. We owe this to them!” said Reem Bassous, Hōʻikeākea Gallery coordinator.

Hōʻikeākea Gallery will engage the community and Leeward’s student body in unique experiences with art. Situated in close proximity to Puʻuloa (Pearl Harbor), Hōʻikeākea acknowledges the responsibility of place, as it designs exhibitions that invite artists from beyond Hawaiʻi to have a dialogue with artists from within. The gallery’s unique location establishes Hawaiʻi within a larger discourse on art, while encouraging critical thinking through aesthetic experiences that are cross-disciplinary and relevant to contemporary social narratives.

In addition to the gallery’s broader programming, Hōʻikeākea Gallery will have an annual juried student show for local high schools, as well as a Leeward CC student show.

Leeward CC has long been the center for higher education in the arts for West and Central Oʻahu residents. The , open again after closure during the pandemic, will celebrate its 50th season in 2023, and the campus recently installed a student mural fronting the library to showcase the infusion of Indigenous culture into the art curriculum.

ʻAi Pōhaku, Stone Eaters

The first exhibition at Hōʻikeākea Gallery, ʻAi Pōhaku, Stone Eaters, pays homage to Hawaiian artists and culture bearers, and offers audiences an opportunity to form meaningful connections to their diverse work while ensuring that their story-telling, through art, is sustained in their ancestral homelands and abroad.

The exhibition at Hōʻikeākea Gallery runs May 1–August 25 and will feature pieces by the following artists:

• Nālamakūikapō Ahsing
• Bernice Akamine
• Kaili Chun
• Herman Piʻikea Clark
• Joy Lehuanani Enomoto
• Solomon Robert Nui Enos
• Noah Harders
• Kapulani Landgraf
• Nanea Lum
• Charlton Kūpaʻa Hee
• Ipō and Kūnani Nihipali
• Tiare Ribeaux
• Abigail Romanchak
• Maikaʻi Tubbs

This will be the fifth in a series of six exhibitions to open across UH campuses on Oʻahu. According to ʻAi Pōhaku co-curators Drew Kahuʻāina Broderick, Noelle M.K.Y. Kahanu and Josh Tengan, this is a significant showing and cause for celebration, and they say it is the first large-scale exhibition of Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiian) art within the ����Ӱҵ System in 20 years.

More details about the gallery and the grand opening can be found at . Early access will be available by invitation only 5–6 p.m., and the public is welcome 6–8 p.m.