Hawaii Cancer Center Offers Free Art Therapy Workshop

Cancer patients across Hawaii will soon have a chance to explore healing through creativity at a free workshop that recognizes the power of art in the cancer journey.

The University of Hawaii Cancer Center is hosting "Healing Through Art" on July 18, welcoming patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members to experience how creative expression can build resilience and hope. The two-hour morning workshop offers both in-person and virtual attendance options at no cost.

Participants can choose from hands-on sessions including traditional Hawaiian ti leaf lei making, drawing with pencils, creating collage luggage tags with Japanese washi paper, and shakuhachi meditation. The event also includes presentations on art therapy research and mindfulness practices specifically designed for people affected by cancer.

Dr. Naoto T. Ueno, Director of the UH Cancer Center and a two-time cancer survivor himself, emphasizes that healing extends far beyond medical treatment. As Hawaii's only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, the facility recognizes that emotional, social, and cultural support matters just as much as clinical care.

The workshop is part of the Susan C. Hirano Cancer CARE Community, a quarterly series named for a beloved patient advocate who passed away in 2025. Susan believed no one facing cancer should feel alone or without hope, and her husband Peter continues her mission by supporting programs that create multiple pathways to healing and connection.

Why This Inspires

Science backs up what many cancer patients already know intuitively: creative expression can ease the emotional burden of illness. After reviewing more than 100 studies, the American Society of Clinical Oncology issued evidence-based guidelines supporting interventions like music therapy to reduce anxiety and improve emotional well-being among people living with cancer.

These workshops create spaces where people can connect with others who truly understand their experiences while discovering new tools for coping and hope. Registration is open until July 11 at the UH Cancer Center website.

Art gives people a voice when words feel impossible and community when isolation feels overwhelming.