HARINANI ORME

Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai`i, native Hawaiian artist, Harinani Orme, earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa and a Master of Fine Arts degree at the Pratt Institute in New York.

Currently, her works focus on the myths, legends and traditions of old Hawai`i.  For these works, Harinani calls upon her printmaker and painter skills.  She believes this combination infuses certain graphic characteristics into her images and allows for a fuller expression of the narrative style she desires.  She sees her works as an ongoing process of experimentation, harvestation and assemblage until the emerging images takes a life form of its own.

Go Fish!

Although Harinani is known primarily as a fine arts painter and a book illustrator, she also creates artwork in mixed media and other mediums.  She is a printmaker, a ceramicist and a jeweler.  In addition, she is a trained kumu (teacher) who has taught – and continues to teach – various art forms to students of all ages in formal and informal educational settings in Hawai`i and on the mainland. Shown here is her mixed media piece, “Go Fish!” which is a perfect example of her playfulness and creativity.

Mano Kihikihi (Hammerhead) Brooch

Ali`i Brooch

Lei Hulu

Piko Pendant

Harinani loves books. She understands the long-term value of placing books into the hands of children and their parents/caregivers.  Therefore, no matter how busy she is, she tries to squeeze in the time to illustrate children’s books.  Harinani illustrated:  Kili and the Singing Tree Snails by Janice Crowl; Pulelehua and Mamaki by Janice Crowl (2010 Ka Palapala Po`okela Awards – Excellence in Children’s Literature); Manu Palupalu, retold by K. Laiana Wong; and Raven and the Sun: Echoing Our Ancestors, adapted by Noelle Kahanu.  More books are currently in the works.

Kili and the Singing Tree Snails

Pulelehua and Mamaki

Manu Palupalu (Soft Bird)

Raven and the Sun

Harinani feels fortunate to have been included as one of a handful of professional artists to work collaboratively with around 15 young student artists in conceptualizing and bringing to fruition several large murals – one at the Sheraton Waikiki (Helumoa), and one at Camp Mokule`ia.  The other artists involved were Meleanna Meyer, Al Lagunero, Solomon Enos, Kahi Ching and Carl Pao (Sheraton only). Mahalo to Maile Meyer and Meleanna Meyer for making these Arting in Place projects possible!

Harinani with Ron Cox and Janice Crowl

Harinani loves her job of being an artist!

Me ke aloha pumehana. (With warmest regards.)