Episode 49: Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts

This week, Ka’ili Trask O’Connell, Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts, joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss joining Mayor Blangiardi’s Administration and her vision for her office, Honolulu’s recent win in the Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, and preparations ahead of the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC).

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Joining the City

This week, Ka’ili Trask O’Connell joins host Brandi Higa on the One O’ahu Podcast to discuss her new role as Executive Director for the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts. O’Connell joined Mayor Rick Blangiardi’s Administration on October 4, 2023.

“Honestly, he’s the reason why I took this position,” explained Trask O’Connell when asked about meeting with Mayor Blangiardi for the first time.

Trask O’Connell brings 30 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, marketing, and communications. She was born and raised in Kailua, graduated from Punahou School, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington University in St. Louis.

Wahi Pana

Bloomberg Philanthropies announced in October 2023 that the City and County of Honolulu was among eight winning cities of the Public Art Challenge, securing a generous grant of up to $1 million.

Over 150 cities from 40 U.S. states applied, tackling civic issues, including urban revitalization, environmental sustainability, and equity. 

The City and County of Honolulu project, “Wahi Pana” (Storied Places), will present a series of multimedia art installations on O‘ahu that connect key tourist destinations with their moʻolelo (stories). Native Hawaiian and Hawaiʻi-based artists will be commissioned to collaborate with cultural experts to research and create site-specific artworks highlighting the complex histories of often overlooked cultural and historical sites affected by over-tourism.

FestPAC Hawai’i 2024

The Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC) is the world’s largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders. The 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture, will convene in Hawaiʻi, 6–16 June 2024. “Ho‘oulu Lāhui: Regenerating Oceania” will serve as the theme of FestPAC Hawaiʻi 2024, honoring the traditions that FestPAC exists to perpetuate with an eye toward the future.

“It’s really about brining all the countries together from the Pacific Rim to celebrate each other’s culture, their history, (and) their art,” said Trask O’Connell. “It’s really incredible.”

Additional information on the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture will be available on MOCA’s website in the coming months.