By Staff Reports
(Honolulu)– Mayor Rick Blangiardi is pleased to present a proclamation designating February as Culture and Arts Month in the City and County of Honolulu. In celebration of the many non-profit organizations, individual artists, and cultural practitioners engaged in the creative industry, the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts (MOCA) seeks to highlight this sector of the economy. Additionally, February will be dedicated to creating awareness about and appreciation for various art forms, supporting artist development, and showcasing the arts and culture in myriad ways.
It is through Culture and the Arts that our residents have been able to embrace what is uniquely local to this special place we call home, our beautiful Hawai‘i,” said Mayor Blangiardi. “A warm mahalo to the organizations, artists and cultural practitioners for their commitment and contributions toward preserving our islands rich traditions and creating a more vibrant community.”
“Culture and the Arts are not only beneficial to us socially, emotionally, and physically, they have become a force in our economic diversification and revitalization in Hawai ‘i, added MOCA Executive Director Makanani Salā.
Culture and Arts, and the creative sector at-large, enriches our community by enabling understanding and appreciation for diverse peoples and experiences. In 2018, Hawaiʻi’s Creative Industries were responsible for more than 50,000 jobs, growing by more than 10% since 2008. Thus, creating equal and abundant opprtunity for exposure to and participation in Culture and the Arts benefits us socially, emotionally, and economically.
For additional images from today’s Proclamation Ceremony, click here. Please courtesy “City and County of Honolulu” for use of this content.