Featuring Festivals and Events Statewide Celebrating and Promoting One of the World’s Most Unique Music Genres
KCCN FM 100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE to Give Away Free Tickets to Mele Events and Prizes Throughout May

HONOLULU—Honoring one of Hawai‘i’s most cherished traditions and one of the world’s most unique music genres, multiple organizations will be celebrating Hawaiian Music Month in May through statewide events, concerts, brunches, and promotions.

KCCN FM100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE will be giving away Hawaiian music CDs, prizes, dinners, and tickets to selected Hawaiian music events and concerts every week. The grand prize includes two tickets to the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Awards with limousine ride to the event and overnight stay at a hotel. Listen to KCCN FM100 and Hawaiian 105 KINE from May 1 to May 29.

Participating organizations include Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, Pakela Foundation, Archimede Hawaii – Kukila Project, Maiki Aiu Foundation, Ke Lei Papahi O Kakuhihewa, Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. For more information, visit www.melemei.com.

The 2011 Mele Mei events are as follows:

Hawai‘i Island
Lei Day, He Mo‘olelo O Nā Lei

May 1, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Kalākaua Park, Hilo

The 6^th annual event kicks off with a celebration of the “story of the lei” and features Hawaiian music by well-known entertainers; hula performances; lei-making demonstrations; and the heritage, history and culture of the lei. Free. Information: (808) 961-5711 or www.leiday.net.

Lei Day Festival

May 1, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Volcano Art Center, Volcano

A family event celebrating Lei Day for all ages with lei-making demonstrations; lei contest and display; hula and ‘ukulele performances; talk-story sessions; guided tours of the native forest; and more. Information: (808) 967-8222 or www.volcanoartcenter.org.

Aloha Saturdays

May 21
Kalākaua Park, Hilo

The East Hawai‘i Cultural Center presents a special program every third Saturday promoting Hawai‘i’s people, traditions and heritage. Elements include Hawaiian music, hula, arts and crafts, and food to provide visitors and locals with a unique and authentic experience. Information: (808) 961-5711 or www.ehcc.org.

Maui

Brothers Cazimero May Day-Lei Day Concert

May 1, 7:30 p.m.
Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului

An annual tradition on Maui, the Brothers Cazimero May Day-Lei Day Concert features the award-winning duo’s greatest hits in Hawaiian contemporary music along with traditional favorites and hula performances. Information: (808) 242-7469 or www.mauiarts.org.

Hawaiian Music Series

May 12, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Front Street, Lahaina

Pull up a beach matt and join us on the lawn of the Baldwin Home Museum for live Hawaiian entertainment and hula performances every second Thursday of the month. Information: (808) 661-3262 or www.lahainarestoration.org.

Slack Key Masters with George Kahumoku & Sean Na‘auao

May 19, 7:30 p.m.
Maui Arts and Cultural Center, Kahului

Grammy Award Winner George Kahumoku, Jr. hosts and opens the show with his musical and storytelling talents followed by one of Hawaii’s favorite musicians, Sean Na‘auao. Information: (808) 242-7469 or www.mauiarts.org.

O‘ahu

Na Mele o Waikiki

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Helumoa to Hamohamo (Royal Hawaiian Center/Pacific Beach Hotel)

Walking tours featuring songs written of special places of Hawaiian royalty with ancient oral history, and musical and hula presentations. Information: (808) 388-0559.

Pakele Live

Thursdays, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Willows Restaurant

Live Hawaiian music with different themes every Thursday night at Willows Restaurant. Information: www.pakelefoundation.org.

85th Annual Lei Day Celebration

May 1, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand

Celebrate Hawai‘i’s symbol of aloha. This 85^th annual tradition features the Coronation of the Lei Queen; Hawaiian music and hula all afternoon; a lei exhibit that features the most gorgeous lei in the world; Tutu’s Hale for keiki; Royal Hawaiian Band and Steel Guitar Concerts; Ho‘olaule‘a; exhibition of Hawaiian crafts; and food booths. Information: www.honoluluparks.com.

Lei of Stars

May 1, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Royal Hawaiian Hotel

Honoring the best in Hawaii’s music industry. Hula Master Pat Namaka Bacon; Andy Cummings; Ernest Ka‘ai; Richard Kauhi Quartet; and Keali‘i Reichel will be inducted into the 2010 Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. Information: www.hmhor.org.

Mother’s Day Mele

May 8, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ala Moana Hotel

Featuring Mother’s Day brunch with live entertainment by Kupaoa, Mark Yamanaka, Holunape, Sean Na‘auao, Na Palapalai and Waipuna. Information: (808) 944-4333.

Kukila

May 9-11, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
King’s Village

Learn to build your own lap steel guitar and learn how to play it! Information: (808) 956-7793 or kgill@hawaii.edu.

Hawai‘i Nui

May 9-13, 16-18, and 23-25, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Pacific Beach Hotel

Ka Lei Papahi O Kakuhihewa is hosting various workshops on oli, hula, mele, implements, ‘ukulele, Hawaiiana, and more. Information: www.kaleipapahi.com.

Legends of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Concert & Brunch

May 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pacific Beach Hotel

Honoring the masters of the Hawaiian steel guitar Joseph Kekuku, Sol Ho‘opi‘i, Dick McIntyre, Jerry Byrd, Barney Isaacs, The Rogers ‘Ohana (Feet & Benny). Information: (808) 388-0559.

Wahiawa Pineapple Festival

May 14-15, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wahiawa District Park, Wahiawa

The ninth annual festival focuses on the historic town of Wahiawa and its history of pineapple cultivation and development. Attractions include food booths, crafts, entertainment tents, jazz festival, and a parade. Information: www.wahiawatown.org.

Hawai‘i Book and Music Festival

May 14-15, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Honolulu Hale, Honolulu

Highlighting Hawai‘i’s literary and music community, this sixth annual event features live entertainment, hula performances, author signings, readings, children’s activities, food booths, and more. Information: (808) 239-8451 or www.hawaiibookandmusicfestival.com.

Mali‘o: Women of Hawaiian Music Concert & Brunch

May 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pacific Beach Hotel

Concert and brunch honoring Aunty Irmgard Farden Aluli and featuring entertainment by Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners Haunani Apoliona, Mailani Makainai, Darlene Ahuna, Karen Keawehawai‘i, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, and Mihana Souza. Information: (808) 388-0559.

Ho‘okuku Leo Ki‘eki‘e Falsetto Competition

May 21, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Embassy Suites

The best male falsetto singers go head to head to compete for the grand prize of a record single. Information: (808) 388-0559.

Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Festival and Awards

May 26 – 29
Hawai‘i Convention Center, Honolulu

The Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts presents a weekend of workshops from some of Hawai‘i’s finest artists, kumu (instructors), and key mainland manufacturers and artists. The weekend culminates in Hawai‘i’s largest music awards ceremony, which honors some of Hawai‘i’s icons and rising artists. Information: www.nahokuhanohano.org.

Kaua‘i County

Na Lei Hiwahiwa ‘Eha

May 6, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Kaua‘i Beach Resort, Lihue

An annual celebration of the beauty of the lei with contemporary Hawaiian entertainment by Lady Ipo Kanahele and Na Hoaloha and hula performances. Information: (808) 652-4497 or www.maliefoundation.org.

May Day by the Bay

May 7, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wai‘oli Beach Park, Hanalei

A fun-filled day of Hawaiian music and hula set in one of the most beautiful places in the world. There will also be cultural demonstrations; hula and ‘ukulele workshops; food; crafters; and silent auction. Information: (808) 635-9028.