February 28, 2020 – March 01, 2020:
E Pili Kakou I Hookahi Lahui 2020 (21st Annual). About E Pili Kakou I Hookahi Lahui:
E Pili Kakou I Hookahi Lahui is a Kauai Event that brings together some of the world’s best hula teachers (kumu hula), students of hula, and just everyday people who are interested to learn more about this ancient art.
The 2020 Event on Kauai will mark the 21st  year for E Pili Kakou I Hookahi Lahui, and it is expected to be better than ever. This is a retreat and conference during which participants will be instructed in hula and chanting, meet experts, and much more. Similar Events are held in Japan, Canada, Tahiti, Marqueses, and other locations.
The 2-day Event on Kauai includes workshops, question and answer sessions, special sessions, and a very special performance and celebration to wrap up this years’ E Pili Kakou I Hookahi Lahui.      
The purpose of the conference is to promote and share the rich culture of Hawaii which includes, of course, hula. There are 2 different types of hula, and both are covered at E Pili Kakou I Hookahi Lahui.
The first, hula kahiko, is the traditional style of hula. This includes drumming and chanting along with the dance, and it all works together to tell a story. Some were afraid this art form was going to die out, and even kings took step to keep it alive. Today, E Pili Kakou I Hookahi Lahui is one more way to ensure that this Hawaiian custom is not lost.
The other type of hula dancing is hula auana. This is a modern twist on the hula in which the majority of the story is told through movement. Rather than chanting, the dance is accompanied by ukulele or guitar music.
Whether you are an experienced hula dancer or you just want to learn a bit about this ancient art, consider registering for this popular Event on Kauai. www.epilikakou.com

February 28, 2020 – February 29, 2020:
Kauai Steel Guitar Festival (5th Annual). The 5th Annual Kauai Steel Guitar Festival will be held on Friday and Saturday, February 28-29, 2020, at the Sheraton Kauai Coconut Beach Resort. This festival will be presented in the days preceding the annual Aloha Music Camp as an extension of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar experience that is offered at the camp. In addition to steel guitar performances by Hawaii steel guitar masters, the festival will include workshops, kanikapila jam sessions where festival guests play along with the steel guitar masters, and Open Stage sessions where amateur Hawaiian Steel Guitarists present their own programs to festival guests. A kanikapila jam session to kick off the festival will be held on Thursday evening, February 27, 2020, between 6PM and 9PM, at a site to be determined. Festival musicians and NextGen steel guitarists and members of the Ke Kula Mele Hawaii ensemble will be joined by guest performers for a fun evening. Information about this event will be posted when it becomes available. The festival is presented free to the public by Hawaii Institute for Music Enrichment and Learning Experiences (HIMELE) in association with the Ke Kula Mele Hawaii School of Hawaiian Music. Partial funding provided by Hawai’i Tourism through the Kukulu Ola Program. 

February 24, 2020:
E Kanikapila Kakou 2020 – “Hula, Mele & Moolelo” featuring NUE – Na Ukulele Ekolu. NUE – Na Ukulele Ekolu – is Bryan Tolentino on tenor ukulele, Halehaku Seabury from the group “Na Hoa” on baritone ukulele and Kama Hopkins from the group “Holunape” on U-Bass. Friends for many years, these three consummate musicians love getting together to share their music and passion for the ukulele! They have been doing NUE for about 4 years whenever the opportunities present itself! They look forward to sharing their unique sounds with the EKK audience.
All EKK gigs are held in the Jasmine Ballroom of the Kauai Beach Resort from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A suggested donation in the calabash of $10 -$15 treats you to an unforgettable evening of aloha from the heart.
A no-host bar and food concession in the ballroom operates throughout the event. All EKK events are open to the public.
If you have a disability and need assistance please email Carol Yotsuda at giac05@icloud.com.
The E Kanikapila Kakou 2020 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by Hawaii Tourism’s through the Community Enrichment program, supported by the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, the Kauai Beach Resort, and the Garden Island Arts Council and EKK supporters. www.gardenislandarts.org

February 23, 2020:
Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds. We’re happy to announce that the University of Hawaii at Manoa Wind Ensemble will be heading to Kauai on February to perform the Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds! Through a partnership with University of Hawaii, Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, and the Bishop Museum, Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds aims to educate through science, music, and art to teach about Hawaii’s native bird species and the importance of conservation efforts.

February 22, 2020:
Painting The Alii Spirit of Kauai King Kaumualii : A Culture to Canvas Painting Workshop. Following her presentation, MaiKai Kauai-He Inoa No Kaumualii on Th, Feb 20th, Kumuhula Kehaulani’s Kekua will offer a hands on personal painting experience in depending oneʻs appreciation of both Kaumualii and Kauai. The old and new mele shared expressed a deep and inextricable bond between the land and alii. He Alii ka Aina-the land is the Chief. Using her well-known talent as an artist, she will lead participants to draw on their own skills and imaginationto illustrate a personal connection between the Chief and his beloved island. The fee for this workshop is $50. And space is very limited. Lead teachers working on the the School Banner-Hookupu project as well as the public are encouraged to register early directly with Kumu Kehau: 808-346-7575.

February 21, 2020 – March 08, 2020:
KCP Presents “She Kills Monsters”. A comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games, She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister. A unique show, filled with fantasy and fun! Don’t miss this special show! Directed by Jenna Cedusky February 21st – March 8th Thursday-Saturday at 7 PM & Sundays at 4 PM Tickets online: www.KauaiCommunityPlayers.org.

February 20, 2020:
Maikai Kauai-He inoa No Kaumualii explores the link between the ancient and modern by the verse found in both; Maikai Kauai Hemolele I Ka Malie. It is an ancient saying celebrating the incomparable beauty, peace and excellence of Kauai Island. The original mele inoa or name chants honors Kauai’s paramount Moi King Kaumualii. Lei I Ka Mokihana, a.k.a Maikai Kauai is a mele auana that pay tribute to the special beauty of Kauai, and written by Henry Waiau, Kumu Kehaulaniʻs great-grandfather. Now, as then; He Alii ka Aina-the land is the Chief Through story and dance Kumu will entertain and educate the audience, utilizing the gifts left to us by prominent Haku Mele or Hawaiian posts & composers. She will expand upon the significance of Hula & Hawaiian oral traditions as a means of deepening our appreciation for the vision of Kauai past, present & future. The presentation is offered in conjunction with a Kauai School Banner Project. Schools will use the mele to create Banners as Hookupu for the Dedication of 8ft. bronze statue of King Kaumualii at his ancestral home, Paulaula in Waimea later this year. These events are offered by Friends of King Kaumualii, a cultural & educational 501c3. Funding provided by Sinclair-Knudsen/HCF, and Hawaii Tourism through Community Enrichment Program; and in cooperation with Kauai Complex DOE, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School and Hālau Palaihiwa O Kaipuwai. www.kauaikingkaumualii.org

February 09, 2020:
HCT’s Annual Whale Watch Fundraiser. Don’t miss this great opportunity to sail with Captain Andy at a discounted rate! Your purchase benefits the Hawaii Children’s Theatre, the folks who brought you “Frozen, Jr.”, “Chicago” and “Matilda” in 2019. Food and drinks are provided by Hawaii Children’s Theatre. The boat leaves at 9:30 AM for a 4 hour sail! $85 pre-paid donation to HCT. Reserve your space online at www.hawaiichildrenstheatre.org.

February 10, 2020:
E Kanikapila Kakou 2020 – “Hula, Mele & Moolelo” featuring Michael Pili Pang & Halau – The Story of Hula in Songs. Kumu Hula Michael Pili Pang of Halau Hula Ka Noeau Hula Academy brings to the EKK stage a truly unique presentation. He narrates the evolution of hula through decades of hula kahiko and hula chants followed by a showcase of auwana hula and mele. Michael’s presentations are artistic, emotional, informative and exciting as he guides you through a time-and-space travel through the genealogy of the traditional hula kui. His studied with Hula Master Maiki Aiu and Mae Kamamalu Klein and master chanter Pualani Kanaka’ole Kanahele.
All EKK gigs are held in the Jasmine Ballroom of the Kauai Beach Resort from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. A suggested donation in the calabash of $10 -$15 treats you to an unforgettable evening of aloha from the heart.
A no-host bar and food concession in the ballroom operates throughout the event. All EKK events are open to the public. If you have a disability and need assistance please email Carol Yotsuda at giac05@icloud.com.
The E Kanikapila Kakou 2020 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by Hawaii Tourism’s through the Community Enrichment program, supported by the County of Kauai Office of Economic Development, the Kauai Beach Resort, and the Garden Island Arts Council and EKK supporters.

January 31, 2020:
BEAT-LELE, An Ukulele Tribute to the Beatles. If you love the Beatles, you will love BEAT-LELE, an Ukulele Tribute to the Beatles. This band plays all Beatles songs with ukuleles and a cajon, a percussion instrument. Their talented voices and harmony will take you down memory lane when you listen to many of the hits of the Beatles. BEAT-LELE has performed at the Koloa Festival, Blue Note in Waikiki and Napa, Maui Arts & Cultural Center, the Cavern Club in Liverpool England, Roy Sakuma’s Annual Ukulele Festival at Kapiolani Park, the Palace Theater in Hilo, the Sophia Tsakopoulos Theatre in Sacramento and many more venues. Buy your $25 tickets plus applicable fees at Eventbrite.com Aloha and see you at this great concert.These gentlemen will blow your mind!