The Friends of Capitol Modern is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and diverse arts community by raising funds and support for the public art gallery, Capitol Modern.
Vision
Our vision is a community where the rich history and culture of our region are preserved, celebrated, and accessible to all. We envision a thriving local museum that serves as a dynamic center for education, inspiration, and connection, fostering a deep appreciation for our shared heritage across generations.
Mission
Enhance the work of the Hawaii State Art Museum (Capitol Modern) and its programs.
- Build and Activate a Community to support the “Peoples Museum”
- Bring Culture and Arts Experiences to the Community
- Operate Amenities and concessions to support the museum.
- Generate revenue to support the operation and activities of the museum.
- Advocate for arts and culture.
Executive Committee
Jonathan Johnson
Jonathan Johnson
President, Executive Committee Jonathan Johnson is an accomplished arts consultant with a career spanning over 34 years, primarily with the Hawaii State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (SFCA), where he served as Executive Director and Director of the Hawai`i State Art Museum (HiSAM). A Honolulu native and Kalani High School graduate, Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree in design with a business administration emphasis from a California college. At SFCA, Johnson managed over 130 commissioned public art projects across Hawai`i, integrating art into schools, libraries, airports, and state buildings. He spearheaded key initiatives such as the HiSAM sculpture garden, the ArtBento museum education program, and the artist-in-residence program for public schools. Johnson also curated exhibitions, led conservation efforts, and collaborated with Native Hawaiian organizations on culturally significant art installations, including the Spirit of Lili’uokalani statue. Johnson chaired the Hawai`i Commemorative Quarter Advisory Commission and played a pivotal role in developing SFCA’s Strategic Plan (2019–2023), prioritizing cultural diversity, arts education, public engagement, and enriching public spaces. A passionate advocate for “museums without walls” and community-driven art, Johnson continues to connect people and places through creative pathways, fostering accessibility and participation in the arts across Hawai`i.
johnathan@friendsofcapitolmodern.com
Karen Ewald
Karen Ewald
Director of Friends of Capitol Modern (Ex-Officio)
Lauren Shim
Lauren Shim
Secretary, Executive Committee
Pete Britos
Pete Britos
Vice President, Executive Committee Pete Britos is a Hawaiʻi-born writer, visual artist, and educator. A graduate of UH-Mānoa, he earned an M.F.A. in Screenwriting and a Ph.D. in Critical Media Studies from USC's School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, where he worked at the intersections of television, film, gaming, and academia. Returning to Hawaiʻi in 2003, he helped establish film, digital media, and animation programs at UH-Mānoa and HPU. At HPU, Pete teaches global cinema, photography, cinematography, screenwriting, creative narrative production, documentary filmmaking, and other courses. His works include the novel Valley of Spiraling Winds and the feature film Last Year at the Old Royal Hawaiian (2025). Previously, Pete was Gallery Director and a Curator for the Hawai'i State Art Museum, now Capitol Modern.
Board Members
Jay Suemori Eric Johnson Sherman Warner Jean Schneider Milton Lafitaga Nicky Watts Kaela Kado Randall Fujiki Alyson Ishikuni Kristina Lockwood David Ball Simone Fromen
Bylaws
BYLAWS OF FRIENDS OF THE HAWAI`I STATE ART MUSEUM, INC.
Section 1. The name of the organization shall be the Friends of the Hawai`i State Art Museum, Inc. (hereafter referred to as the “organization”). The Friends of the Hawai`i State Art Museum, Inc. is established by law (Statute 9-23); as such, the organization is a 501(c)(3) corporation.
Section 2. The Friends of the Hawai`i State Art Museum is organized exclusively to further the artistic, cultural, and educational programs and purposes of the Hawai`i State Art Museum (hereinafter referred to as HISAM or the “Museum”), a state-established and owned museum as now or hereafter constituted or named, as set forth by State of Hawai`i Statutes.
Section 3. The organization’s objectives are to receive, raise, and administer funds for the benefit of the Museum and to provide the Museum with a widespread base of support. All privately raised funds, grants, memberships, and earned income of the Museum are collected by and administered through the Friends of the Hawai`i State Art Museum
Section 4. The Friends of the Hawai`i State Art Museum, Inc. will have none of the authority vested by statute in the Executive Director of the Hawai`i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts (HSFCA) nor any of the authority vested by statute and charter in the HSFCA Commission.
Section 5. The registered office of the Friends of the Hawai`i State Art Museum, Inc. shall be located at 250 South Hotel Street, 2nd Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
Meetings
December Meeting
December 4, 2024 at noon via Zoom link