NUKOLI‘I — E Kanikapila Kakou 2023 will celebrate “Project Kuleana,” during its Feb. 13 presentation in the Jasmine Ballroom of the Kaua‘i Beach Resort.
“E Kanikapila Kakou” literally means “let’s play a stringed instrument together,” and the eight Monday presentations in February and March and the special concert on Tuesday, Feb. 28, represent the best of Hawaiian music.
The ballroom doors open at 5 p.m., and according to E Kanikapili Kakou representatives, the ticket price includes entry into an ‘ukulele jam led by Lady Ipo Kahaunaele, one of the featured musicians from Project Kuleana, that will run from 5:10 to 5:55 p.m., after which time the musicians will move to the stage to perform at 6 p.m.
Kahaunaele will teach jam participants the words and chords for the song “Nani Kaua‘i” before disbanding. During the concert, the group will invite participants to play their instruments and sing “Nani Kaua‘i” for the audience.
EKK, as E Kanikapila Kakou is known in a shortened form, is open to the public, with tickets available online at Eventbrite (ekk2023.eventbrite.com), or at the door. Children up to and including the age of 12 years old enter free on all Monday night presentations.
Project Kuleana muscians appearing at the Feb. 13 presentation include Kahaunaele, who in addition to leading the ‘ukulele/guitar circle will provide background throughout the night. Other musicians from Project Kuleana include Mike Keale, Garret Santos, Ed Punua, Gabby Manintin, and special guests Keilen and Lihau Paik of the group Kupaoa, and Maluhia Castillo.
These musicians appeared on the Project Kuleana video that featured Kaua‘i labeled “Project Kuleana Na Mo‘o Manokalanipo presents ‘Nani Kaua‘i.”
Project Kuleana uses Hawaiian music to educate and strengthen the Hawaiian community, gets keiki involved both in front of and behind the movie cameras and, during the course of its several years in existence, has gained a growing audience.
For more information about the remainder of the 2023 E Kanikapila Kakou series, visit gardenislandarts.org, or ekk2023.eventbrite.com.
