HANAPEPE — When the voices of the 15 singers from the Kanikapila Singers echoed through the auditorium of the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery, there was no indication of an end, although a tear escaped from the eyes of a soloist during
HANAPEPE — When the voices of the 15 singers from the Kanikapila Singers echoed through the auditorium of the Kaua‘i Veterans Cemetery, there was no indication of an end, although a tear escaped from the eyes of a soloist during a touching piece.
“This group has been a work in progress since 1982,” said Marilyn Kim, the director of the choral group from the Leeward Community College that has been visiting the island since Thursday and performed as an integral part of the annual Memorial Day services hosted by the Kaua‘i Veterans Council.
“Bill Honjiyo knew about the visit a long time ago and he wrote us a letter requesting that we perform at the annual Memorial Day service,” Kim, an instructor with the LCC for 30 years, said.
The Kanikapila Singers gets is name from a suggestion brought forth by Oei Lan Kahele, of Kapa‘a, who has been working with the group since 1980.
“You know, it’s real local style how we all kanikapila,” Kahele said. “We sing the same way.”
The difference is that when the Kanikapila Singers perform, they project outwards, Kim said.
In addition to Kahele, Natalie Capino, a Waimea High School graduate, lends her voice to the choral group.
Kim said since arriving Thursday, the Kanikapila Singers have done performances at Kaua‘i High School, the Kaua‘i Veterans Memorial Hospital long term care unit, the G.N. Wilcox Memorial Hospital long term care unit, the Mayor’s office where the group performed in the atrium of the Mo‘ikeha Building, the Grand Hyatt Kaua‘i Resort and Spa, the state police commission conference that was held here, the Kukui Grove Shopping Center, St. Michael’s All Angels Church, Ke Akua Mana Church and St. Theresa’s Church.
Rev. Wesley Elmore of the Lihu‘e United Church, who performed the benediction as well as chaperoned with the Boy Scouts of Troop 148, said the group was here in 2005 and performed for his church on that trip.
“There were a lot more singers with the group during that trip,” Elmore said. “But the quality is still the same.”
Kim said in light of budget cuts, several music classes will be eliminated from the LCC curriculum offering, and those cuts may affect the future of Kanikapila Singers.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
