INFORMATION

Tropic Editions is a publishing imprint supporting creative production in the tropics and throughout the tropical diaspora. Founded in 2018, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. The imprint has been represented in art book fairs and shops aross North America, Europe, Oceania, and Asia, however, our priority is local community-building and collaborations which (re)connect artists of tropical diaspora through our extended network of belonging.

The imprint produces artists’ books, zines, prints, films, exhibitions, performances, and more, with an emphasis on queer and Indigenous knowledge, and transoceanic solidarities. We aim to draw Hawaiʻi into an existing global discourse on tropicality, post-colonialism, and creative production in the tropics. We accept and consider project proposals from artists and organizers year-round.

Because we are a small imprint, we prioritize direct sales via our website and in-person events. Our distribution network includes a number of US and international stockists. To date, our imprint and publications have been represented in the following fairs: Printed Matter Virtual Art Book Fair, Brooklyn Art Book Fair, San Francisco Art Book Fair, New York Art Book Fair, Independent Art Book Fair (Brooklyn), LA Art Book Fair, Hawaii Zine Fest, Honolulu Print and Book Fair, Cebu Zine Fest (Philippines), FLAT Art Book Fair (Torino, Italy), Odds and Ends Art Book Fair (Yale University), Chicago Art Book Fair. We have collaborated with and co-published with Pu‘uhonua Society (O‘ahu), Parking Lot Press (Bangkok), Single Double (O‘ahu), kekahi wahi (O‘ahu), Make Visible (O‘ahu), Ho‘ākea Source (Hawai‘i), Aupuni Space (O‘ahu), Hawaii Contemporary, multi. projects (Honolulu/NYC), For Freedoms (USA), Tropical Futures Institute, and more.


Tropic Editions is grateful to have received support from the following organizations: Pu‘uhonua Society, Atherton Family Foundation, and the Ruth Foundation for the Arts.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Marika Emi  President
Mele Hamasaki  Treasurer
Leimomi Lani  Secretary
Ayaka Takao
Josh Tengan  
(as of 2025-26 Fiscal Year)


Tropic Editions is founded by Marika Emi, an artist, arts organizer and curator born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. For the last two decades, her practice has included studio work, design and curatorial projects, community outreach and education, and producing events bridging the gap between culinary and visual arts. From 2015 to 2018, she was a member of artist collective PARADISE COVE. She served as a director of Aupuni Space from 2020 to 2023.