Celebrate the mele and hula of Kona on July 3 with the live launch of “Kona Mele,” a music video honoring Kona and the area’s celebrated practitioners of mele and hula. The event will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Makaeo Pavilion at Old Kona Airport Park.
La‘i‘opua 2020, a Kona-based nonprofit, spearheaded the video project.
“We have been deeply inspired by the works of Project Kuleana and Mana Maoli,” said La‘i‘opua 2020 Executive Director Kawehi Inaba, “and realized a musical video which captured the many ‘gems’ Kona has to offer was a wonderful opportunity to create precious memories, living legacies and maintain pride in our community.”
The musicians and hula practitioners who participated in “Kona Mele” were videotaped at historical and ohana ‘aina landmark locations throughout Kona as they performed a medley of two songs, “Kona Kai ‘Opua” and “Kaulana Na Kona”.
The July 3 launch, which is free and open to the public, will include performances by Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning musicians Keauhou and Kainani Kahaunaele, showcase the video’s musicians and hula practitioners and culminate with the debut of the video produced by Zachary Lum, with the assistance of Upena Production and Co Creative Studios.
Kona Mele’s purpose is to create Hawaiian education material and capture the rich culture and essence of Kona through place based mele (song) and hula (dance).
For more information, visit laiopua.org or call (808) 327-1221.