A self-taught Native Hawaiian artist, Ernest Naho‘olewa was born and raised in Kapahulu, Honolulu. Though largely self-directed in his practice, he studied intermittently at the Honolulu Academy of Arts, refining his craft while remaining deeply rooted in personal and cultural expression. Most active during the 1960s, Naho‘olewa often turned to his own family for inspiration, capturing the spirit, dignity, and everyday beauty of Hawaiian life.