This year, we launched our video series, Transformations. Filmed against the stunning backdrop of Lēʻahi (Diamond Head) and Shangri La’s Playhouse, Transformations features engaging storytelling from change-makers and leaders like Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore, former New York Times Editor Dean Baquet, civil rights advocate Wayde Henderson, former US Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry and National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Chair Shelly Lowe. The series explores themes of leadership, passion, and purpose. Catch episodes on Shangri La’s YouTube channel and subscribe to stay inspired! and subscribe to stay inspired! 

We celebrated a major milestone with the appointment of renowned Kumu Hula Victoria “Vicky” Holt Takamine as our Native Hawaiian Cultural Advisor. A trailblazer in cultural preservation and arts advocacy, Kumu Vicky brings decades of expertise to integrate Native Hawaiian practices, values, and traditions into Shangri La’s programs and events. Kumu Vicky was awarded the Gish Prize this past December, a prestigious honor recognizing individuals who push artistic boundaries, drive social change and inspire future generations.  

In January, we celebrated creativity through our 8x8: Source Exhibition, showcasing 16 Hawaiʻi-based visual and performing artists. Sparked by this year’s theme, Source, their creativity explored topics like sustainability, ancestry, and cultural resurgence. See their works featured here. We capped off the closing of the program with a showcase performance at Capitol Modern.  

We also hosted two dynamic Artists-in-Residence: Persian-American electronic music producer ASADI + Xye in April, and four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winner Taimane in June. ASADI + Xye were inspired to compose and create a series of performances across our center, including a collaboration with Taimane. Taimane recorded  throughout our campus, creating cross-cultural connections through her music.  

Continuing our commitment to nurturing Hawaiʻi’s creative community, we partnered with ʻOHINA LABS to mentor emerging filmmakers, connecting fellows with top industry professionals from Disney Animation Studios and Marvel, receiving coaching on their craft, leading to pitches for an opportunity to bring their stories to the screen. 

During the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC), the world’s largest celebration of Pacific Islanders held in Hawai‘i for the first time, Shangri La had the privilege of hosting multiple events for its 13th iteration. Bringing together global leaders and cultural stewards from across Oceania the center welcomed:  

The Māori Royal Family Reception in celebration of Mana Motuhake (Māori Independence). Our esteemed guests were graced with performances by Artist-in-Residence Taimane alongside Rachel Look. Josh Tatofi made a surprise appearance and sang some of Aotearoa’s favorite hits.  

The Young Pacific Leaders Reception united 24 nations from across Moananuiākea in the culmination of this cohort sponsored by the Department of State during FestPAC. 

Western States Art Federation (WESTAF) held a special convening with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Leaders' voices were represented from Humanities councils’ leaders across the Pacific including Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and our islands of Hawai‘i. 

In 2024, nearly 15,000 people participated in Shangri La’s tour program through our partnership with the Honolulu Museum of Art. Over 500 students were hosted through educational visits, providing a unique introduction to Islamic art and culture. 

The center held over 40 convenings and events, including those previously mentioned and:  

The Equitable Futures Fellowship, in partnership with East-West Center, brought together leaders from a broad range of cultures and backgrounds. Fellows explored techniques to empower unheard voices and resolve inequity in many forms, including gaps in income, health care, and education. 

A talk-story with Hawaiʻi’s Civil Beat and The New York Times, led by former executive editor of The New York Times Dean Baquet and Hawai‘i Public Radio’s President and CEO Meredith Artley, sparked transformative dialogue surrounding journalism and the value of local investigative reporting. 

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Doris Duke Visionary Voices: Women, Creativity, Power presented a special panel discussion featuring Vera Zambonelli, Dr. Akiemi Glenn, Amy Hill, Jalene Kanani Hitzeman and Maura Fujihira. Honolulu Magazine published a cover story championing the work of these inspiring female leaders in our community. 

Moore Aloha Charitable Foundation's Queens of Queensbreak event brought together 40 young women, including many surfers, along with empowering speakers to explore the theme “riding the waves of transition. Mahalo to our panelists: Chef Robynne Maii, Chelsea Peck, JT Ojerio, Kelia Moniz, and Meghan Lee. See the event recap here. 

Recognizing the profound impacts of AI, Shangri La presented a series of events on the topic. Charting the Future: The Second Order Effects of AI in partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation and Aspen Digital convened industry leaders in August to explore the shifts AI may have in how we live, learn, work, communicate and relate to one another. Earlier in the year, in partnership with the AI Policy and Governance Working Group and the Institute for Advanced Study, Dr. Alondra Nelson (Institute for Advanced Study) moderated  AI in the Open: Responsible Innovation for Access, Accountability, and Discovery, an enlightening talk featuring Lance Askildson (Chaminade University), Deep Ganguli (Anthropic), Marietje Schaake (Stanford Cyber Policy Center and Institute for Human-Centered AI), Helen Toner (Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology), and Gabriel Yanagihara ('Iolani School). The group explored policies to maximize AI’s benefits while protecting public interest. 

As we welcome the new year, I reflect on my first anniversary as executive director at Shangri La. I am honored and humbled to play a part in advancing our mission with our team—as we create new ways for our center to convene, engage and inspire our diverse communities, especially those here in the islands. 

In 2025, you can anticipate bold new programming bridging our local community with global conversations, more inspiring residencies, , and an elevated tour experience for all of our guests . There’s so much more to come from Shangri La! 

From our ‘ohana to yours, here’s to building an incredible 2025. 

Mahalo piha,
Ben Weitz, Executive Director
Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design a center of the Doris Duke Foundation