Hawaiian vocalist Raiatea Helm, a two-time Grammy nominee and multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards honoree, will bring her celebrated music and passion for music education to Palikū Theatre at Windward Community College on December 11, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Proceeds from the Makana Mele concert will benefit the Henry Kapono Foundation Music Scholarship, supporting music students at Windward CC’s Hawaiʻi Music Institute.
“This scholarship from the Henry Kapono Foundation provides an opportunity to students to learn from our own excellent local talent, many who are legendary artists, it is a connecting of the generations,” said Kamuela Kimokeo, director of the Hawaiʻi Music Institute. “Raiatea, one of our music lecturers for the Hawaiian music certificate, has had an incredible year, and we wanted to create a space to celebrate her achievements.”
Tickets for the Makana Mele concert are $30 general admission and $75 for VIP seating (includes meet and greet with the artists backstage). Online streaming tickets are $25. Students (with ID) are $15.
Preserving, sharing culture
The concert will also showcase Windward CC music lecturer Jeff Peterson and former Hawaiian music student Kapono Lopes, with performances featuring violin, steel guitar, upright bass, guitar, and ʻukulele—a tribute to the music that shaped Hawaiʻi‘s cultural landscape.
“In essence, this concert will feature the music of our kūpuna to raise scholarship funds that support students dedicated to preserving and sharing this cultural legacy with future generations,” Kimokeo said.
Innovative Hawaiian music certificate
Helm, Kimokeo and Peterson are among the instructors for Kaʻohekani, an innovative one-year online Hawaiian music certificate at Windward CC. This accelerated, cohort-based program offers eight-week classes led by renowned musicians, such as Kimokeo (Hawaiian music), Kawaikapuokalani Frank Hewett (Hawaiian language, hula), Peterson (slack key guitar), Helm (Hawaiian singing), and Kapena DeLima (digital music production).
“The purpose of this scholarship is to support students pursuing music education through the Hawaiian Music Certificate program, helping them improve their lives, uplift their families, and build sustainable careers in music,” said Lezlee Kaʻaihue, executive director of the Henry Kapono Foundation. “This year, we’re especially excited to have 40 teachers in the Windward CC music program. When you consider the number of students each of these teachers can impact and inspire with music, it’s clear that this scholarship is a valuable reinvestment in our community. Last year, the Windward CC music program raised nearly $200,000, allowing all 40 teachers to be in our one-year program tuition free!”
Those interested can donate directly to the Henry Kapono Foundation Music Scholarship to support music students.
