HANAMA‘ULU — Kupaoa, Na Hoku Hanohano nominated musical artists and Kaua‘i residents, headline Monday’s E Kanakipala Kakou program at the Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
They are the husband and wife team of Kellen and Lihau Paik, and will be joined by the Ke Ala Aumoe Hula dancers.
Kupaoa were Na Hoku finalists in 2020 in numerous categories for their album and song, both by the same name: “Ka Lei Moana.”
E Kanikapila Kakou, now in week four of its 39th season, continues its consecutive Monday nights of heritage Hawaiian music.
E Kanikapila Kakou translates to “let’s play a stringed instrument together,” and begins at 5 p.m., when the doors to the resort’s Jasmine Ballroom open to a breakout group of players of instrument and hula dancers when the guest artists teach a song that the participating audience members will then play, or a hula they will perform, sometime during the evening.
EKK welcomes attendees to bring their own instruments or just sit in to learn how to play, sing and dance to a song.
In 2005, Kellen Paik agreed to do a one-time Hawaiian music set for a friend’s wedding. He asked a college acquaintance, Lihau Hannahs, to join him, and history for this duo began.
Twenty-some years later, the pair is married, has two children and creates harmonious Hawaiian music for huge audiences. They call themselves Kupaoa, a word that means “a lingering fragrance,” and that’s what their music does — stays with you.
As life-long students of Hawaiian language, they enjoy composing and performing original songs, and in addition, delight in playing time-honored favorites.
EKK events continue for two more Monday sessions, April 18 and 25, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
A connected, but separately-ticketed event takes place Monday, May 30, a concert, Legacy of Our Legends, hosted by Makana.
Food and beverages are available for sale throughout the evening at all of the events.
Following is the lineup for the last two E Kanikapila Kakou gatherings:
w April 18: ‘O’iwi, which is John Mahi, Bronson Aiwohi and DJ Yaris;
w April 25: Community Hula Night with the Malie Foundation, a chance to learn a hula or several and watch many more.
The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Hawai‘i Visitors &Convention Bureau and Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau provide support for EKK.
w Info: 808-245-2733, giac05@icloud.com, gardenislandarts.org, facebook.com/ekanikapilakakou.kauaistyle/, https://www.eventbrite.com/o/garden-island-arts-council-42722074693
