Hawaiʻi Island community police invite keiki to perform musical skills in new showcase

Hawaiʻi Island children ages 5 to 18 can participate in the first HI-PAL Youth Music Showcase for a chance to record a single and receive a custom-made ʻukulele.

HI-PAL, the Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League, provides social and athletic activities for Hawaiʻi Island youth between ages 5 and 17. Activities range from boxing, basketball, and fishing tournaments to canoe regattas, school dances, rodeo events, and more.

The Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Kona HI-PAL and Community Policing Section will host the first musical showcase in collaboration with Grammy-nominated local musician LT Smooth, the Hearo Foundation, and the University of the Nations, on Saturday, Aug. 9, in Kona.

Participants can enter the showcase as a duet, group, band, or individual. Duets, groups, and bands will compete in their own category, while the individual category will be divided by age:

• 5 to 8 years old
• 9 to 12 years old
• 13 to 15 years old
• 16 to 18 years old

Smooth and his band will provide live music for the participants, allowing them to perform with a live band rather than a prerecorded track. Winners of the showcase will have the opportunity to record a single and receive a custom-made ʻukulele provided by the Hearo Foundation.

“We are really excited to organize and offer this one-of-a-kind event for our island keiki,” said Kona Community Policing Officer Leonard Warren. “We encourage kids across Hawaiʻi Island to sign up. It’s an exciting opportunity for them to showcase their musical talent and possibly take the first step toward launching their music career!”

Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis, and there will be a maximum of 25 performances with five per category. Performances must be three minutes long.

To sign up and receive the HI-PAL release/waiver form, contact Officer Warren at leonard.warren@hawaiicounty.gov. Songs should be submitted at the same time so a rehearsal can be arranged with Smooth before the showcase.

The Kona Community Policing Section is seeking judges for this event. Local musicians willing to volunteer their time for this event are encouraged to email Officer Warren.

The event starts at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the ʻOhana Court on the University of the Nations campus, 75-5851 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona. The deadline to sign up for a performance spot is Tuesday, July 1.