On May 5, 1894,[1] the woodcarver Augusta Graham, the sculptor Allen Hutchinson, and painters D. Howard Hitchcock and Annie H. Park[3] created a forum where local artists could exhibit together and share ideas.

[4] Other members included Alfred Richard Gurrey, Sr.[5] and Bessie Wheeler.

[6] "Kilohana" is a compound word derived from two Hawaiian language words: kilo meaning to observe carefully or to spy out, and hana, meaning work.

[3] The Kilohana Art League was disbanded in 1913, and its funds were transferred to The Outdoor Circle.

[7] The League was organized into sub-organizations known as "circles", such as the Pictorial and Plastic Circle of the Kilohana Art League,[8] the Dramatic Circle of the Kilohana Art League,[8] the Musical Circle of the Kilohana Art League,[9] the Literary Circle of the Kilohana Art League,[10] and the Outdoor Circle of the Kilohana Art League.