Hawaii's Creative Industries

Presented by Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
in partnership with DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division

HONOLULU, HI (September 3, 2025) — On Saturday, September 13, Shangri La Museum
of Islamic Art, Culture & Design will present the Storytelling & Emerging Technology
Summit, a complimentary, one-day public event bringing together Emmy Award-winning
artists, visual effects pioneers, musicians, and creative technologists with Hawai‘i-based
storytellers, educators and cultural leaders. The summit will take place at Capitol Modern
in downtown Honolulu, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Business, Economic
Development and Tourism (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division and as part of Honolulu
Tech Week.

The convening marks the culminating event of Shangri La’s Emerging Technology & Art
Residency, a two-week interdisciplinary residency that embedded five international artists
in Hawai‘i’s cultural, ecological, and technological landscape. Throughout the residency,
participating artists collaborated with local communities and cultural leaders to explore
how tools like AI, XR, immersive sound, and computational storytelling can honor tradition
while opening new doors for expression and access.

“We created this summit and the residency behind it because we believe artists and
storytellers should be shaping the future of technology, ” said Ben Weitz, Executive
Director of Shangri La. “By centering culture, community, and innovation , we’re not only
expanding access to emerging tools, we’re also reimagining Shangri La as a catalyst for
culture and ideas in a rapidly changing world.”

“Our mission is to grow Hawai‘i’s creative economy by supporting programs that foster
innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-sector collaboration,” said Georja Skinner, Chief
Creative Officer of the Creative Industries Division, DBEDT. “This summit represents the
kind of forward-thinking initiative that helps position Hawai‘i as a hub for creative
technology and storytelling—and strengthens the foundation of a globally connected
creative ecosystem.

The daylong summit will include keynotes from actor and writer Moses Goods (Chief of
War) and Emmy and Peabody-winning immersive creator Michaela Ternasky-Holland. It will
also feature an expert panel titled “Art, AI & Ownership: Revenue and Rights in the Age of
Emerging Tech,” exploring authorship, intellectual property, and sustainable creative
economies. Panelists include Vicky Holt-Takamine (PA‘I Foundation), Mericia Palma Elmore
(SAG-AFTRA Hawai‘i Local), Georja Skinner (DBEDT Creative Industries Division), and other
creative and technology leaders.

Participating artists include:

• Michaela Ternasky-Holland – Emmy and Peabody-nominated immersive director
• Rachel Joy Victor – Computational designer and spatial strategist
• Aaron Santiago – XR artist and technical director (Venice, SXSW)
• Carlos Johns-Davila – Electroacoustic composer and immersive media maker
• Nikora Ngaropo – Visual effects artist (Avatar, The Hobbit)
  The summit will also feature the Hawai‘i debut of NarrA.I.tive Story Studio, a
  groundbreaking initiative of UCI Beall Applied Innovation exploring the intersection of
  generative AI and ethical storytelling.
  The event is free and open to the public. Check-in begins at 10:00 a.m., and complimentary
  lunch catered by Nui Kealoha and refreshments will be provided. Advance registration is
  recommended.
  
  Event Details:
  Date: Saturday, September 13, 2025
  Check-in: 10:00 a.m.
  Event: 10:30 – 4:30 pm
  Location: Capitol Modern, 250 South Hotel Street, Honolulu, HI
  Admission: Free with registration
  
  Register here
  
  The Storytelling & Emerging Technology Summit is presented by Shangri La Museum of
  Islamic Art, Culture & Design in partnership with DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division.
  Additional support provided by Honolulu Tech Week, Create(x), UCI Beall Applied
  Innovation, and Honolulu Theatre for Youth.
  
  About Shangri La Museum of Islamic Art, Culture & Design
  
  Shangri La is a cultural and convening center in Hawai‘i where art, ideas, and people come
  together. Founded by Doris Duke in the 1930s and home to the only U.S. museum
  dedicated to Islamic art, Shangri La now supports residencies, fellowships, exhibitions,
  convenings, and digital storytelling. Through immersive experiences and global
  collaboration, we foster connection across disciplines, perspectives, and communities.
  We believe culture is dynamic — and that meaningful exchange can shape more creative,
  inclusive futures.
  
  About Creative Industries Division (CID)
  
  CID, a division within DBEDT, is the state’s lead agency dedicated to advocating for and
  accelerating the growth of Hawai‘i’s creative entrepreneurs, while maintaining a thriving
  film industry. Through initiatives, program development, and strategic partnerships, the
  division and its branches implement activities to expand the business development, global
  export, and investment capacity of Hawai‘i’s arts, culture, music, film, literary, publishing,
  digital, and new media industries.