Hawaiian Renaissance music headliners at annual Kani Kūola Music Festival

Enjoy a day of free, “life-giving” music experiences—creation, performance and education—as Windward Community College hosts the 2nd Annual Kani Kūola: UH System Music Festival on Saturday, April 1. The festival runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. with a scholarship benefit concert at 6 p.m. in Palikū Theatre. Workshops will be in-person in Hale ‘Ākoakoa with live streaming available.

Highlights include a panel discussion of the “Music of the Hawaiian Renaissance” with Jon Kamakawiwoʻole Osorio, Liko Martin and Jerry Santos.

Workshops include:

Collaborative Composition and Music Making with Keola Donaghy and Ken Makuakane
‘Ukulele Theory and Arranging with Benny Chong and Byron Yasui
Haku Mele: Hawaiian Music Composition with Kawaikapuokalani Hewett
From Mele to Motion: The relationship of words to movement in Hula with Kawaikapuokalani Hewett
Sustainable instrument making and Hawai‘i reforestation with Kanile‘a ‘Ukulele
Hawaiian Comping on Piano with Aaron Sala
Historical Hawaiian instruments with Shawn Yacavone and Kilin Reece
Music transcription tips with Jon Magnussen
From hula to Hendrix: Hawaiian music impact on World Music with Kilin Reece
Open Mic, with tomorrow’s artists performing in public for the first time
Guests are welcome to bring their instruments and voices. Faculty from UH music programs statewide will host morning educational workshops, afternoon master classes and a panel with music industry professionals.

Visit this year’s Kani Kūola: UH System Music Festival website for up-to-date event information. Register online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kani-kuola-2023-tickets-579480390447

“The goal for this year’s festival is to allow our campuses to come together in one space and to share what we are doing on our campuses with our community,” said Kamuela Kimokeo, Windward CC music instructor and Hawai‘i Music Institute director. “This is a time to celebrate not only the talent of our instructors but of the music makers in our communities.”