Pacific Islanders in Publishing
Illustrators and Artists
Solomon Enos
Hawaiian
(he/him)
Solomon Enos is a Native Hawaiian artist and illustrator. His work weaves together the contemporary and traditional, and touches on themes such as Indigenous identity and ancestry, among others. Website
Jerilyn Guerrero
CHamoru
(she/her)
Jerilyn Guerrero is a CHamoru & Filipino illustrator and visual designer, born on the island of Guam and based in Los Angeles, CA. Her vibrant and heart-centered artwork is a celebration of self-sovereignty and finding joy in the simple moments of everyday life. Jerilyn's creative journey has led her to collaborate with a wide range of clients, from emerging businesses to established brands such as Adobe, University of Guam Press, Wrappr, Society6, and more. Jerilyn has worked with UOG Press in creating story illustrations included in new Guam public school textbooks and has illustrated the forthcoming UOG Press picture book, I Mambiha na Tiempo (“In Old Ladies’ Time”). Website
Kai'ili Kaulukukui
Hawaiian
(he/him)
Kai'ili Kaulukukui is a Kanaka Maoli artist, painter, and muralist. His work reflects the deep respect for nature and Hawaiian culture instilled in him by elders during his childhood. Website
Ezekiel Koroisau
Fijian/iTaukei
(he/him)
Ezekiel Koroisau is an illustrator, children's book author, graphic novelist, and comic book artist. Goodreads
Rusiate Duke Lawalevu
Fijian
(he/him)
Rusiate Duke Lawalevu is an artist and illustrator from Lautoka City, Fiji. Website
Tui Ledua
Fijian
(he/him)
Tui Ledua is a Fijian illustrator based in New Caledonia. He is the Pacific Community (SPC) current Graphic Artist, and is very passionate about Pacific Illustration. Website
Nikki Mariner
Sāmoan
(she/her)
Nikki Mariner is a Sāmoan artist and gallerist based in Samoa.
Joshua Morgan
Māori
(he/him)
Illustrator Josh Morgan (Te Aitanga-a-Māhaki, Rongowhakaata) lives in Wellington, New Zealand with the author Sacha Cotter, their family and a vast hoard of picture books. By day he works as a visual designer. By night he works as a freelance illustrator creating pictures for books, TV and animation.
Michel Mulipola
Sāmoan
(he/him)
Michel Mulipola is a Samoan comic book artist and writer from Auckland, NZ. He has illustrated work for BOOM! Studios' line of WWE comics, various anthologies, and is currently working on the U.S. comic book, Headlocked: The Last Territory, and is a Story Artist for Walt Disney Animation studios on an upcoming project. Website
Kirsten Parkinson
Māori
(she/her)
Kirsten Parkinson is the illustrator for several books and one of the cofounders of the Māori children's publisher Reo Pepi.
Malia Pila
Kānaka Maoli
(she/her)
Malia Pila is a Native Hawaiian visual development artist who loves weaving historical inspiration and vivid color into her work.
Ciara Sana
Chamoru
(she/her)
Ciara is a Chamoru artist from Guam, based in Bellingham. Her art is rooted in her culture and inspired by the beautiful island she comes from. Website
Dan Taua
Māori
(he/him)
Dan Taua is a Māori artist specialising in comic books, art prints and clothing. Dan's art journey is heavily inspired by Māori mythology and roots. Website
Emilie Tavaearii
Mā'ohi
(she/her)
Emilie is a picture book illustrator based in France. Both Tahitian and French, she travels regularly between her two homelands, from which she finds her force and inspiration. She devotes her time to illustrating and writing stories. Emilie has already collaborated with best-selling authors Turia Pitt and Celestine Vaite.
Isobel Joy Te Aho-White
Māori
(she/her)
An artist of Māori, British and Danish ancestry. Her tribal affiliations are Ngāi Tahu and Ngāti Kahungungu ki te Wairoa, and I whakapapa to matakite and healers. She currently lives and freelances in Pōneke/Wellington city and holds a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, majoring in illustration from Massey University. Website
Munro Te Whata
Māori/Niuean
(he/him)
Munro is a picture book illustrator, artist, and animator. He is the illustrator of The Promise of Puanga (Scholastic New Zealand), Little Kiwi Finds Her Way Home (Abe Press), and more. Website
Punky Aloha - Shar Tuiasoa
Tongan
(she/her)
Punky Aloha Studio is the illustration studio of Shar Tuiasoa, a freelance illustrator and picture book author based in Kailua, Oahu. Punky Aloha Studio houses various branches of illustration work, ranging from murals, freelance and client work, product sales, fine art, and licensing. Website
Lissette Yamase
Chuukese/Pohnpeia
(she/her)
Lissette Yamase creates art to preserve and celebrate the stories, cultures, and values of the islands she calls home. Lissette was born in Palau and was raised on the islands of Saipan, Chuuk, and Pohnpei. She illustrated Silent Warriors (2023) written by Innocenta Sound-Kikku, and Mwa Machang (Bess Press).
Story Hemi Morehouse
Māori
(she/her)
Story (Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Toa Rangatira) is an illustrator and animator. Story's first illustrated book, Mokopuna Matatini/The Greatest Haka Festival on Earth by Pania Tahau-Hodges, was shortlisted for four awards in the New Zealand Book Awards (2022). In 2023, Kua Whetūrangitia a Koro/How My Koro Became a Star, authored by Brianne Te Paa, won Te Kura Pounamu Award. LinkedIn
Veroni Sablan
CHamoru
(she/her)
Veroni is an artist born and raised on Guåhan. She’s the illustrator of Inifresi (2023) by Bernadita Camacho-Dungca. Website
Jerilyn Guerrero
CHamoru
(she/her)
Jerilyn is a CHamoru/Filipino illustrator and visual designer, born on the island of Guam and based in Los Angeles. She illustrated the picture book I Mambiha na Tiempo (2023), by authors Clotilde Castro Gould and Johnny Sablan. Website
Moerani Flohr
Tahitian
(he/him)
Moerani has been drawing since he could hold a pencil, so he turned his passion into his profession by creating his digital creation business. He’s the illustrator of Pi’ihoro, a graphic novel published in French by Au Vent des Îles (2023). Website