Research historian, lecturer, author, and artist, Lucia Tarallo has designed, mounted and curated more than 150 fine art exhibitions locally, nationally and internationally. Together with her daughter, Natalie Mahina, she wrote the award-winning Daughters of Haumea, honored with the Po`okela Award of Excellence. For years, she has written an art column for Ka Wai Ola, the newspaper for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, also for Nā `Ōiwi. Her writings on Maoli culture are included in countless magazines, newspapers and academic art journals. Lucia was instrumental in coordinating the installation of the Hawaiian War Memorial at Fort DeRussy. She has toured the U.S. mainland with lectures and a stage production of the Daughters of Haumea and other Hawaiian philosophy and history. In partnership with artist daughter Natalie Mahina Jensen, they have had several collaborative exhibitions; Natalie’s acrylic paintings being the visual components of poetry readings from Lucia’s book, Kāne Kēia, Wahine Kēlā, a lyrical translation and interpretation of the Kumulipo.
Aside from her feather work, writings and curated fine art exhibitions which are displayed in collections throughout the world, Lucia Tarallo has taught Hawaiian art history at the Bishop Museum, Edith Kanaka`ole Foundation, Nā Pua No`eau, Liliu`okalani Trust, Kamehameha Schools, Hawai`i Community College, and most recently at Ke Ana La`ahana Public Charter School.