First annual Na Hoku o Hawaii Music Festival announced
January 20, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under Latest News
Artists confirmed to participate: Henry Kapono |
By Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com
The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts has announced a new partnership with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and production company 4 Miles LLC to present the first annual Na Hoku o Hawaii Music Festival at the Hawaii Convention Center.
“This project is not about promoting any one artist or art form,” said 4 Miles partner Dawn Kaniaupio. “It’s about strengthening our industry and our cultural practices.”
The four-day festival, which will feature a variety of music and cultural workshops in addition to daily concerts, kicks off May 27 and will culminate with the first-ever HDTV broadcast of the 33rd annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on May 30. Funding for the events was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the HTA, which is part of a $1.238 million “marketing opportunity fund” to be used to help stimulate travel to Hawaii.
“To be able to take all of our musicians out globally with the music of Hawaii, I think it’s huge for us as a state,” said HTA vice president of tourism marketing David Uchiyama. “It differentiates us from any other leisure destinations around the world and really showcases the talent we have here.”
HARA vice president Pali Kaaihue was equally excited about the opportunity for members to be showcased during the festival as well as participate in scheduled workshops.
“Each year, the board tries to grow our initiatives and to find opportunities for our members to grow and gain a much larger audience than we have now,” he said. “This creates a new synergy and a new opportunity for folks here as well as globally to come and enjoy what makes Hawaii so special.
“ This is something we feel is going to be an immense benefit for all of our HARA members … (and) music lovers in general.”
According to a press release distributed today, the festival format will be as follows:
>> Day 1: Opening night cocktail party with remarks from HARA, government officials and presenting sponsors.
>> Days 2 and 3: Following a “culturally relevant” opening ceremony on the morning of the second day of the festival, each day will feature breakout sessions and workshops on a variety of topics relevant to participants.
Daytime events will wrap up by 5 p.m. to allow participants to attend concerts each night at more than 20 different venues in Waikiki and at Aloha Tower Marketplace.
>> Day 4: Workshops will continue throughout the morning, followed by the live broadcast of the 33rd annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards that evening.
In addition, it was announced that this year’s Hoku Awards ceremony will be different than in previous years. Instead of a dinner program, Kaniaupio said the format will be more like a stage show, with no food served during the awards. Pupus and cocktails will be served before and after the live broadcast.
For more details about the inaugural Na Hoku o Hawaii Music Festival, visit www.nahokuohawaiimusicfestival.com.
