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Kani Ka ‘Ōpala: Take a Sad Song & Make it Better

Kani Ka ‘Ōpala: Take a Sad Song & Make it Better

Spam can harps, rice bag drums, tin can gongs, and other musical instruments made from repurposed rubbish are on display at Hamilton Library Bridge Gallery now through mid-August. All instruments were custom built by Benjamin Fairfield, author of the illustrated children's book Kani Ka 'Opala: How can garbage sing? Fairfield (lecturer at UH and Hawai'i Pacific University) was featured last October on the Conversation as a climate-action-artist-in-residence with the State Commission on Climate Change in 2025. Come view, play, and listen to an assortment of rubbish instruments. A great way to celebrate Earth Day and aloha 'aina.

Hamilton Library bridge gallery
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM, every day through Aug 10, 2026.

Event Supported By

Hamilton Library
(808) 956-2193
garlach@hawaii.edu

Artist Group Info

Benjamin Fairfield
ben.s.fairfield@gmail.com
Hamilton Library bridge gallery
2550 McCarthy Mall
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822