2018 Mele Mei Schedule of Events Announced

Live music at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Courtesy photo.

The annual Mele Mei music and culture celebration will return for its eighth year with a full lineup of live performances from April through June. Sponsored by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority and the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, this yearʻs event will feature Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning and Grammy-nominated artists performing at venues and events across Hawai’i as well as in Japan.

A full schedule of events can be found online at www.melemai.com under the “events” tab.

“Mele Mei has become an annual tradition that shares and perpetuates the aloha spirit through the celebration of Hawai’i’s music, artists, and musicians,” said Pali Ka’aihue, Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts president. “These events are an opportunity to put our talented Hawai’i artists center stage and bring together the community with the sounds of our Islands.”

2018 Mele Mei Schedule of Events:

Hawai’i Island

Sunday, May 27, 2018: Mele Mei Hawai‘i and Hawai‘i Songwriters Concert (Kahilu Theatre)
As the kick-off for the Hawai’i Songwriting Festival, Mele Mei Hawai‘i is a celebration of the art and craft of songwriting. Songwriters of all levels from all walks of life will come together to connect with one another alongside music professionals from Hawai’i, the mainland, and beyond. There will be live performances from multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner Mark Yamanaka and others.

O’ahu

Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 4 p.m.: Lei of Stars Brunch Concert (Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort, Kou Ballroom)
Join us for brunch and a concert honoring the best in hula and Hawaiian music. The Lei of Stars event will recognize the 2018 Hall of Fame inductees during a brunch at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.: Navigating 70 Years of Outrigger Hospitality, a Mele Mei Soiree, featuring Weldon Kekauoha, Amy Hanaiali‘i and Josh Tatofi
To continue the spirit of its platinum anniversary, Outrigger Hospitality will host its Navigating 70 Years of Outrigger Hospitality, a Mele Mei Soiree on Tuesday, May 1, at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.

As part of the VIP pool party and birthday bash, attendees will enjoy locally inspired menu items and other signature specialties, as well as hosted beer, wine and an anniversary-themed welcome cocktail.
Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning entertainers will provide authentic live Hawaiian music, while guests preview the innovative and exciting changes in Outrigger’s oceanfront Hawai`iloa Room. As a token of thanks, all event attendees will also receive a commemorative Outrigger keepsake.

Sunday, May 6, 2018, noon to 2:30 p.m.: Mele Mei at Halekulan featuring Teresa Bright, Del Beazley and Kata Madulii (House Without a Key)
Tune up your Sunday with a lunch concert at Halekulani’s House Without a Key featuring a performance by a trio of multiple past Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winners, Teresa Bright, Del Beazley and Kata Maduli. No reservations required.

Sunday, May 6, 2018, 6 to 9 p.m.: Mele Mei Kani Ka Pila Grille Concert Series, featuring Brother Noland (Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Kani Ka Pila Grille)
Celebrate contemporary Hawaiian music under the stars from 6 to 9 p.m. Experience the special sounds and unique cultural traditions of Hawai‘i at Kani Ka Pila Grille at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Call (808) 924-4990 for more information.

Sunday, May 13, 2018, noon to 2:30 p.m.: Mele Mei at Halekulani feat. Ledward Kaapana (House Without a Key)
Tune up your Mother’s Day with a lunch concert at Halekulani’s House Without a Key featuring a performance by Ledward Ka‘apana. No reservations required.

Sunday, May 13, 2018, 6 to 9 p.m.: Mele Mei Kani Ka Pila Grille Concert Series, featuring Mailani Makainai (Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Kani Ka Pila Grille)
Celebrate mom with contemporary Hawaiian music under the stars from 6 to 9 p.m. Experience the special sounds and unique cultural traditions of Hawai‘i at Kani Ka Pila Grille at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Call (808) 924-4990 for more information.

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 5:45 p.m.: 6th Annual Honolulu Ekiden & Music Festival (Waikiki Shell)
Kick off your ekiden weekend with the Honolulu Ekiden Concert featuring live entertainment by popular artists from Hawai’i and Japan including Kalapana, Mana’o Company, The Real Ho’aikane, Sunplaza Nakano-Kun, Pappara Kawai, May J., and Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku. Admission to the concert is free for Honolulu Ekiden race participants or tickets can be purchased starting at $30 for general admission. For more information visit www.hnlekiden.org.

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 4 to 10 p.m.: 41st Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards (Hawai‘i Convention Center)
The Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts’ 41st Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards ceremony and dinner show will take place Saturday, May 19, honoring Hawai’i’s most talented and gifted musicians, songwriters, and producers. This year’s awards features a record 33 different categories, including several new categories: Hawaiian Single of the Year, Metal Album of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Tickets start at $175 for general admission, $150 for kama`āina and are $250 for premium seats. To purchase call (808) 593-9424 or visit www.nahokuhanohano.org.

Saturday, May 19, 2018, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: 41st Annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards After Party
This year guests who attend the awards can keep the excitement going at the first Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards After Party. The event will take place from 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Hawai’i Convention Center. Tickets cost $65 and can only be purchased with an awards show ticket. Each ticket includes two drinks and pūpū.

Sunday, May 20, 2018, 8 to 10:30 a.m.: 2018 Honolulu Ekiden & Music feat. Simple Souls, Uheuhene, Maunalua, Manoa DNA (Kapi‘olani Bandstand)
And they’re off! The Honolulu Ekiden race starts at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Participants and supporters will enjoy great island music at the Kapiolani Bandstand at this fun family event.

Sunday, May 20, 2018, noon to 2:30 p.m.: Mele Mei at Halekulani featuring Amy Hanaialiʻi (House Without a Key)
Tune up your Sunday with a lunch concert at Halekulani’s House Without a Key featuring Amy Hanaialiʻi, a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Female Vocalist of the Year. No reservations required.

Sunday, May 20, 2018, 6 to 9 p.m.: Mele Mei Kani Ka Pila Grille Concert Series, featuring Maunalua (Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Kani Ka Pila Grille)
Celebrate contemporary Hawaiian music under the stars from 6 to 9 p.m. Experience the special sounds and unique cultural traditions of Hawai‘i at Kani Ka Pila Grille at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Call (808) 924–4990 for more information.

Sunday, May 27, 2018, noon to 2:30 p.m.: Mele Mei at Halekulani featuring Josh Tatofi (House Without a Key)
Tune up your Sunday with a lunch concert at Halekulani’s House Without a Key featuring Josh Tatofi, last year’s Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Male Vocalist of the Year and Island Music Album of the Year. No reservations required.

Sunday, May 27, 2018, 6 to 9 p.m.: Mele Mei Kani Ka Pila Grille Concert Series (Outrigger Waikiki, Kani Ka Pila Grille), featuring Kūpaoa
Celebrate contemporary Hawaiian music under the stars from 6 to 9 p.m. Experience the special sounds and unique cultural traditions of Hawai‘i at Kani Ka Pila Grille at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort. Call (808) 924–4990 for more information.

Friday, June 9, 2018, 7:30 to 10 p.m.: Pan Pacific Festival Ho’olaule’a (Kalākaua Avenue)
The annual Pan Pacific Festival Ho‘olaulea features cultural exhibitions as well as talent from across the Pacific Rim including performances by Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning artists and nominees, on the Nā Hōkū Hanohano stage.

Saturday, June 16, 2018, 4 to 9 p.m.: Honolulu BBQ & Blues Festival (Hilton Hawaiian Village, Great Lawn)
Get your grill on at the annual Honolulu BBQ and Blues celebration at Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Great Lawn. Enjoy authentic BBQ and musical entertainment by local performers.

Maui

Saturday, April 28, 2018, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Maui Ho‘olaule‘a (Institute of Hawaiian Music, Maui College)
For the first time ever, Maui entries and nominees for the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards will be featured in an all-day, free ho‘olaule‘a on Saturday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Great Lawn of the University of Hawai‘i Maui College in Kahului. This event is part of the statewide Mele Mei celebration of Hawaiian Music, and is sponsored by the Institute of Hawaiian Music, Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts, and the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority.

The ho‘olaule‘a will include performances by the students of the Institute of Hawaiian Music, Pono Murray, Matagi, Ahumanu, Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner George Kahumoku & Anthony Pfluke, Mondokāne, Halemanu Villarimo & Tarvin Makia, Cane Fire, Melinda Carrol with Lehua Simon, Mikeala Bega and Bentley Kalaway, Pat Simmons, Jr., Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winners Kanekoa, Damien Paiva, and Goldawn Won.

In addition to the live performances, the Institute of Hawaiian Music will host three workshops. The first will feature IHM director and HARA governor Dr. Keola Donaghy, who will discuss both the Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, the benefits of membership in both organizations, and how to enter your music releases into the awards.

The ho‘olaule‘a will have food and drinks available for purchase. Both parking and entrance to the event are free. For more information or to reserve a seat in one of the workshops, please contact Dr. Keola Donaghy at [email protected] or by calling (808) 984-3570.

Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13, 2018, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Mele Mei ma Maui (Lahaina Banyan Tree)
Soak in Hawai’i’s music, beauty, and aloha with two nights of special performances featuring legendary Hawai’i musicians, including Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning artists.

Kaua‘i

Saturday, May 26, 2018, 6:30 to 9 p.m., 2018: Mele Mei Kaua‘i (Historic Waimea Theatre)
Soak in Hawai’i’s music, beauty, and aloha with a night of special performances featuring Homestead Band and Waipuna.

Japan

Sunday, April 29, 2018, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.: Nā Hōkū Music Festival in Tokyo (Midtown, Tokyo)
Mele Mei is celebrating in Japan with the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award Music Festival in Tokyo.

Tuesday through Sunday, June 5 through 10, 2018: Ho‘ike Lanakila (Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo, Japan)
Aloha lands in Japan with Hō‘ike Lanakila—the event features a series of Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning artists, hula hālau and their nā kumu.

Additional events may be added at a later date. Visit www.melemei.com for further details as well as an up-to-date schedule of events.