‘Healing Through Art & Poetry’ event to support cancer survivors
By Annalisa Burgos and Sydney Brammer
Published: Jul. 12, 2025 at 10:27 AM HST
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - International artist and cancer survivor Leni Acosta Knight is an example of the power of art to heal and she shares those benefits with others through art therapy.
She’s a staunch advocate for survivors of cancer, domestic violence and human trafficking and is hosting a fundraiser event for the Kapiolani Health Foundation on July 25 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Vintage Books Speakeasy at 3660 Waialae Ave.
Knight joined HNN’s Sunrise to talk about her journey as a breast cancer survivor and using art to find strength through grief and benefit causes close to her heart.
She says she’s inspired by her love of philosophy, science, mythology and poetry and specializes in oil, acrylic and watercolor painting and graphite and charcoal drawing.
She’s working to raise $50,000 toward the $25 million budget needed to build the Martha B. Smith Cancer and Infusion Center at Kapiolani Medical Center. So far, $21,000 has been raised through her art sales.
She also plans to financially support Watchlight Foundation, where she’s a board member, to fund licensed private investigators to help victims of human trafficking and cases of child custody and missing children.
