Hawaii artist and breast cancer survivor hosts art exhibition, fundraiser at Island Brew Coffeehouse

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) — In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Hawaii-based international artist and neighborhood coffeehouse are partnering to raise funds for specialized cancer care in Hawaii.

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Cancer survivor and artist Leni Acosta Knight and Island Brew Coffeehouse owner Rafael Baez joined Hawaii News Now Sunrise to preview the upcoming charity pop-up.

The event is scheduled for this Thursday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Island Brew’s Manoa location inside the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE center on University Avenue.

Proceeds from sales of Knight’s original artwork will benefit the Kapiolani Health Foundation in support of the Martha B. Smith Cancer and Infusion Center.

“The center is the only bone marrow transplant site in Hawaii and the Pacific,” Knight said. “So far, we have raised $23.1 million, and our goal is $25 million.”

For Baez, hosting the fundraiser hits close to home.

“My mom was a cancer survivor, so it is personal to me from that perspective,” Baez said.

“A lot of people have to go to the mainland for treatments, and the center is very important because they don’t have to do that anymore,” Knight added.

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Knight shared two of her featured works: “After Lala,” inspired by her 19-month-old grandson using the Tagalog word for grandmother, and “The Storm,” an abstract painting reflecting the cancer journey.

“It reflects how cancer feels like you’re going through a storm,” Knight said. “After the storm, you have hope, love, resilience, and survival.”

Alongside Knight’s artwork, Island Brew showcased scratch-made pastries from its new bakehouse at the Hawaii Kai Shopping Center, including Korean salt bread, sourdough focaccia, and sourdough scones.

Baez said the new Bakehouse by Island Brew is run by his son Rocco, who worked for months perfecting his salt bread recipe, which is made with organic unbleached flour.

Baez also featured seasonal fall offerings like pumpkin bread, iced pumpkin lattes, and a pumpkin cloud matcha, noting the shop is also planning a dedicated beverage for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

For more details on the exhibition, visit leniknight.com or check out Island Brew Coffeehouse in Manoa.

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