Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning Kulāiwi to perform at free concert in Kona

The public is invited to the free Kokua Kailua spring concert featuring Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning trio Kulāwai on April 16 at Emma’s Square on Aliʻi Drive in downtown Kona.

Kulāiwi, a group of three Native Hawaiians Kawika Kahiapo, Lehua Kalima Alvarez and Shawn Kekoa Pimental, will perform songs from their new multiple award-winning self-titled album “Kulāiwi — Native Lands.” 

Kulāiwi was awarded the Hawaiʻi Academy of Recording Arts 2022 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards for Album of the Year, Group of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year and Hawaiian Engineering Award of the Year.

Kulāiwi was formed to reconnect kānaka (humankind) to ‘āina (land) through mele (song), the thread that connects the continuum of cultural knowledge.

Kulāiwi’s mission is to serve as a link in the chain of aloha ‘āina transmission, and believes that it is their kuleana (responsibility) to share music that encourages the listener to take an active role in aloha ‘āina. 

Everyone is invited to the Kokua Kailua one-hour concert, which begins at 4 p.m.

The concert is sponsored by the Kailua Village Business Improvement District and the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.