On Friday, April 17, 2026, Moanalua High School held its biennial Art on the Hill event. Art on the Hill highlights the creativity and individuality of students, transforming the school environment into a space filled with personal expression and meaning.
Art in the Hill started with former teacher Liane Voss. She began the event in the 2000’s, originally being called “Java Jam.” “She had initiated this in the culinary and individual arts back in 2020,” Photography teacher, Ms Takemoto shares.
“It’s basically a showcase, or a senior night for artists in the art department,” Senior Gryson Gapasin, Moanalua’s National Arts Honors Society (NAHS) president says.
For many, art serves as more than just a class—it becomes an outlet for self-discovery and a reason to feel more connected to school. Senior Bright Matsudo, whose piece is titled “Thought Experience,” shares, “When students think of school it often doesn’t spark joy. Having artistic outlets like art cannot only make students want to go to school but also discover themselves along the way.” His perspective reflects how creativity can shift the way students experience their education.
The event also gives students the opportunity to share their passions with a wider audience. Junior Hosea Au describes having his work publicly displayed as exciting and rewarding. “I think it’s a great way to show people near you your passion and what you love to do in your free time,” he says. By putting their work on display, students are able to turn something personal into something that others can appreciate and connect with.
“Art on the hill builds confidence in themselves, it gives a time for them to speak about their work instead of having it in a portfolio or tucked away.” Ms Takemoto expresses.
Each piece featured in Art on the Hill carries a unique story shaped by the artist’s experiences. Senior Kayla Settsu Hernandez centers her work around the theme “Floral Parts of a Whole,” inspired by her heritage and personal journey. “It mostly focuses on my heritage and the impact of important people and events in my life,” she explains. Her art reflects how identity is built through both culture and lived experiences.
Senior Alisha Biacan explores emotion and human nature through her digital portfolio, including her piece “What It’s Like to Love.” Her work focuses on the idea of longing and how it shapes people’s lives. “My portfolio showcases how people always have a longing for something, despite their environment or upbringing,” she says. Through her pieces, she emphasizes that emotion is a universal experience, adding, “You are human… humans are always longing.”
Art on the Hill is more than an exhibition—it is a reflection of the student body, showcasing diverse perspectives, stories, and emotions. By providing a platform for creative expression, the event reminds the school community that art is not only valuable, but essential to understanding ourselves and each other.
