Healing Through Art
"Leni Acosta Knight Shares Her Story on Hawaii News Now"
When art meets adversity, something beautiful happens — a transformation not just on canvas, but in the soul. In a recent Hawaii News Now interview, Honolulu-based artist and breast cancer survivor Leni Acosta Knight opens up about how art became her lifeline through cancer — and how it continues to serve as a vessel of hope for others walking similar paths.
Watch the video here (also featured on our homepage)
A Canvas of Courage
In 2018, Leni underwent a bilateral mastectomy at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children — a pivotal moment that would deeply shape her life and her work. Now more than four years cancer-free, she has turned that experience into a mission: to give back through art that heals.
Leni’s work now graces the halls of Kapiolani Medical Center, serving as a symbol of courage and resilience for patients undergoing treatment. "When you forget about your ailments, trauma, pain, and fear — it gets a little bit easier," she shares in the interview, her words reflecting the same compassion found in every brushstroke of her paintings.
A Night of Impact and Innovation
As featured in the news segment, Leni recently hosted a fundraiser at Island Brew Coffeehouse in Kakaʻako. The event featured a silent auction, live body art, and the unveiling of Unafraid, her groundbreaking NFT art series — the first fine art NFT collection from Hawaiʻi. The event raised awareness and funds for Kapiolani’s ambitious $20 million campaign to build the new Martha B. Smith Cancer and Infusion Center for Women and Children.
"The idea is to centralize chemotherapy care for both adults and children," she explained. "The equipment is similar — combining spaces will ease the burden on both patients and doctors."
Leni’s artwork, including her NFT series, doesn’t just decorate walls — it tells stories of healing, transformation, and hope. Her message is simple but profound: we may not be able to control trauma, but we can choose how we move through it.
Healing Through Art
For Leni, creating art is a deeply personal, almost spiritual act — one that transcends aesthetics. Her paintings often draw from mythology, science, poetry, and her own journey, creating a visual language that speaks to the strength of the human spirit.
From international exhibits in Milan and Paris to her studio in Honolulu, Leni continues to inspire collectors and communities with work that’s not only visually striking but emotionally resonant. She donates a portion of all art sales to support cancer care and anti-human trafficking efforts, living out her belief that art can — and should — change lives.
Watch the Interview
We invite you to watch Leni’s full interview on Hawaii News Now right here or on our homepage. You'll witness the heart behind her artistry and the healing power of creativity in motion.
