NUKOLI‘I — E Kanikapila Kakou will celebrate the opening of its 41st year of bringing music, hula, and stories of Hawai‘i on Monday, starting when doors to the Outrigger Kaua‘i Beach Resort open at 5 p.m.
The opening night will feature award winners, composers and performing artists Makana, and Walt Keale with Chris Lau.
EKK, a shortened version of E Kanikapila Kakou, encourages attendees to “bring an instrument if you like, and jam, learning to play and sing a special Hawaiian song,”
The EKK fun starts with an optional ‘ukulele/hula hour from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. and comes with the price of admission. Following the jam that disbands at 6:15 p.m., the guest artists move to the ballroom stage where they perform until 8:30 p.m.
Tickets for EKK sessions — there are seven more in the EKK 2024 season — can be purchased online at ekk2024.eventbrite.com, or at the door. General admission is $20 with kama‘aina enjoying admission for $10. Children under 12 years old are admitted free.
EKK patrons are also invited to support the season with their early donations of $250. These can be done online by visiting the Garden Island Arts Council website at www.gardenislandarts.org, or email at giac05@icloud.com. Registration as a “Patron” can also be done at the door. Patrons get priority seating in the ballroom.
Food and beverages are available for sale in the ballroom throughout the program. CDs of the performers are usually available for sale along with EKK T-shirts, various artists’ crafts and the popular Boroboro Boutique up-styled garments rendered by GIAC artists.
Walt Keale with Chris Lau are no strangers to the EKK stage. Keale will perform with his friend and professional musician Chris Lau, who has been nominated for several Na Hoku Hanohano awards.
Keale, whose uncle is Moe Keale and cousin is Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, has been Grammy nominated. Keale is also a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award winning artist with the band Kaukahi, and has toured along the West Coast, and performed in Washington, DC, Newcastle, Australia, Nagasaki, Tokyo and Yokohama, Japan. He also played in Dakar, Senegal, and Skye, Scotland.
Makana, whose name translate to mean “the gift,” has been thrilling hundreds of thousands who have been the recipient of his gift of music in his concerts, recordings and through the political actions in which he’s been involved in.
Makana has played at the White House during the Obama administration, and played with countless other stars within the musical horizon since being introduced to EKK in 2003. He composed and recorded a piece that became the musical backdrop for the movie “The Descendants,” earned numerous awards for the Hawai‘i version of the Grammy and engaged in real-time political protests.
On Feb. 12, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, accompanied b y Arnel Fergerstrom and Awapuhi Napoleon O’Brien will grace the EKK stage. After being on the EKK stage for seven times with her versatile and passionate performances, she will share “Endearing Love Songs” that have emerged as classics over time.
EKK is presented by The Garden Island Arts Council, which is dedicated to the many expressions of art within the Kaua‘i community.
For information on the EKK future presentations, visit www.gardenislandarts.org.
