Own a Piece of Hawai‘i History with HONOLULU’s First-Ever NFT Auction

Illustration: Margaret Rice

For the first time ever, HONOLULU is partnering with local illustrator Margaret Rice to announce an offering of 20 unique NFTs from artist Margaret Rice.

The NFTs will feature the iconic cover artwork commissioned by HONOLULU for our April 2022 issue. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the NFTs will directly benefit YWCA Oʻahu and Aloha United Way. Bidding will begin at 8 a.m. HST (Hawaii Standard Time, GMT-10) on Thursday, April 21, 2022, and conclude at 8 a.m.HST on Thursday, April 28, 2022. To learn more about the offering and view instructions about the NFT purchase process, visit hnlnft.com.

“There’s no shortage of incredible women in Hawai‘i—wāhine who work tirelessly on behalf of others, blaze trails for women and lead by example, even when that means standing up against deeply rooted injustices,” said Diane Seo, editorial director, HONOLULU Magazine. “From artists to educators to those at the forefront of their industry, these fearless females are an inspiration for all—regardless of gender. We are so pleased and proud to honor them on our cover as well as through our inaugural NFT release.” 

An NFT, or non-fungible token, is a unique and non-interchangeable unit of data stored on the blockchain. There is only one physical piece of artwork with 20 digital issues (NFTs), each distinguished with its own data code. The 20 auction winners will share in the exclusivity of the original artwork while also owning distinct and separate issues that can be gifted, sold or traded in the future.

Since its founding as Paradise of the Pacific in 1888, HONOLULU has endeavored to showcase the talented artists of Hawai‘i. Through the limited-edition NFT, HONOLULU and its partner, aio Digital, aim to highlight Rice’s work and provide an opportunity for the public to acquire a unique collectible, all while raising money for two important local nonprofit organizations.

Photo: Travis Okimoto

The collaboration with Rice, who is known for her sinewy works featuring strong, gorgeous and often languid women, is a joint effort between HONOLULU and aio Digital. aio Digital includes various digital companies, brands, new ventures and investments within the aio family of companies. aio creates innovative products and is well-versed in the future-focused digital space, including NFT creation and other Web 3.0 technologies.

Inside the April Issue of HONOLULU

In its April issue, the HONOLULU team put the spotlight on several talented women who prove glass ceilings are meant to be shattered. Read more about HONOLULU Magazine’s April 2022 issue here.