HONOLULU — The rich history of music written at Kalaupapa will be celebrated by some of Hawai‘i’s most well-known musicians in a virtual concert, “The Music of Kalaupapa,” airing at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17 on different sites, including Facebook and YouTube.
The event is being sponsored by Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa.
The concert will serve as a fundraiser for The Kalaupapa Memorial, which will list the names of the nearly 8,000 men, women and children who were taken from their families and forcibly isolated at Kalaupapa between 1866 and 1969 because of government policies regarding leprosy.
“The music of Kalaupapa is one of the most inspiring parts of this history, showing how people could overcome the sadness and separation,” said Valerie Monson, executive director of Ka ‘Ohana O Kalaupapa. “We believe the music helped people to heal and to find hope.”
From the earliest days of the settlement, choirs and bands were assembled. The people of Kalaupapa always welcomed ali‘i arriving by ship with rousing music at the pier. Later, ensembles of Kalaupapa musicians and singers entertained at community events. Throughout the entire history, individuals were composing songs, chants and kanikau.
Because all the composers of Kalaupapa have died, their songs will be performed by artists who knew them or who have a connection to Kalaupapa. These musicians were brought together by slack-key guitarist Stephen Inglis, who has known many of the people of Kalaupapa since childhood, including the prolific songwriter and human-rights activist Bernard K. Punikai‘a. Inglis later recorded an album of Kalaupapa songs with his mentor, the late slack-key legend Dennis Kamakahi.
The concert will also feature performances by Brother Noland, Melveen Leed, Kenneth Makuakane, Makana, Kevin Brown and Lopaka Ho‘opi‘i. They will play songs written by Kalaupapa residents The ‘Aikala Brothers, Ernest Kala, Helen Ke‘ao, Samson Kuahine, George McLane, Punikai‘a and the Boys of Kalawao.
The current musicians will record their own videos of songs and memories of Kalaupapa. The videos will be coordinated by musician and producer Chris Lau. Veteran radio and TV broadcaster Billy V will serve as master of ceremonies, introducing the musicians and weaving together stories of the Kalaupapa composers who made the music come to life.
For up-to-date information, visit kalaupapaohana.org or search Facebook events for “The Music of Kalaupapa.”
The virtual concert received assistance from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Conomic Security Act funding made possible by the Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
