FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 19, 2026
Media contacts
Lesa Griffith
808-532-8712
lgriffith@honolulumuseum.org
Lance Rae
808-781-1743
lance@tlcpr.com
HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM
HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM
Leaders from both museums will sign a memorandum of understanding at HoMA Sept. 4
HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I—The Honolulu Museum of Art today announced a partnership with the Tokyo National Museum (TNM), which will be formalized through the signing of a memorandum of understanding. At a signing ceremony on Sept. 4 at 11:30 a.m., new HoMA director and CEO David Odo and TNM executive director Makoto Fujiwara will seal the partnership.
The occasion marks an important milestone in the museums’ histories, establishing a partnership committed to advancing scholarship, fostering cultural exchange, and strengthening institutional collaboration. The Honolulu Museum of Art is honored to formalize this partnership, reaffirming the enduring cultural ties between Hawaiʻi and Japan.
The Tokyo National Museum organizes international symposia related to Japanese art history. HoMA curator of Japanese art Stephen Salel has previously participated, and in 2024 curator of European and American Art Alejandra Rojas Silva, attended a symposium as part of her research for the upcoming exhibition Through Modern Eyes: Shin Hanga Prints from the Honolulu Museum of Art opening in February 2027.
“It is an honor to partner with the Tokyo National Museum, Japan’s oldest national museum and one of its cultural anchors,” said Odo, whose professional background includes positions at the Osaka National Museum of Ethnology and University of Tokyo. “From exchanging art loans to collaborative research, there are many ways for our institutions to work together.”
“The Honolulu Museum of Art is one of the foremost institutions for the study and exhibition of Japanese art outside Japan,” said Fujiwara. “As Hawaiʻi has historically and culturally served as a bridge between Japan and the United States, we believe that cooperation with the Honolulu Museum of Art will foster deeper scholarly and cultural exchange while further enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between our two countries.”
Media is invited to attend the event, which starts at 11:30 a.m. To attend, please contact Lance Rae at lance@tlcpr.com or 808-781-1743.
About
the Tokyo National Museum
Founded
in 1872, the Tokyo National Museum is Japan’s oldest national museum and holds
a collection of more than 120,000 works. It collects, houses and displays a
comprehensive collection of artworks and antiquities from Japan as well as
other Asian countries. The museum also conducts research and
investigations concerning its collection of books, rubbings, and photographs,
related to fine art, and makes these items available to scholars. Through
dynamic special exhibitions and evolving approaches, the museum continues to
expand while remaining deeply committed to preserving Japan’s cultural
heritage.
About the Honolulu Museum of Art
The Honolulu Museum of Art is Hawai‘i’s premier art institution, inspiring and uplifting the community through transformative art experiences. Founded in 1927 to reflect Hawai‘i’s multicultural makeup, today HoMA’s extraordinary collection of more than 55,000 works of art from across the globe spans 5,000 years.
Through its collection, innovative exhibitions, and programs, the museum is able to tell stories relevant to Hawai‘i and the world at large. It serves as a gathering place of learning and discovery, where visitors can encounter new ideas, explore diverse perspectives, develop empathy, and contribute to their well-being through art. Home to an art school, Honolulu’s last art house theater, two cafes, and a shop—just 10 minutes from Waikīkī—HoMA is a vital part of Hawai‘i’s cultural landscape committed to access for all.
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday 10am–6pm; Friday 10am–9pm
Admission: Adults $25; residents $15; free for youth 18 and under; free for SNAP beneficiaries and college students enrolled at any Hawai‘i state university or college.
Honolulu Museum of Art
900 S Beretania St
Honolulu, HI 96814
Honolulu Museum of Art School
1111 Victoria St
Honolulu, HI 96814
Communications: 808-532-8712
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