KAILUA – The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation’s free monthly “Kanikapila in Kailua” Hawaiian music series will continue Saturday, July 12 in Kailua Town with a performance by acclaimed vocalist Martin Pahinui, son of the legendary Gabby Pahinui.
“We are grateful to Kawika Kahiapo, co-creator of the ‘Kanikapila in Kailua’ series, for putting together a great team of talented Hawaiian musicians to perform one Saturday every month for the community to enjoy,” said Terry George, Harold K.L. Castle Foundation CEO and president. “We look forward to hearing the beautiful blend of slack key and falsetto vocals of Martin Pahinui, as well as the talented vocals of Mailani, Palani Vaughan, Kamakakehau Fernandez and Teresa Bright at upcoming performances. We encourage Windward residents to attend these free monthly concerts.”
Martin Pahinui is best known for sharing the traditional sound of Hawaiian music through a beautiful blend of slack key, steel guitar and leo kiʻekiʻe (falsetto) vocals. The youngest of three children, Pahinui was exposed to music at an early age, having picked up the ukulele at age 3 and guitar by intermediate school. It was around this time that Pahinui joined his brothers Bla and Cyril to play in a rock band called The Characters. From then on, Pahinui was no stranger to the stage, as he performed alongside many notable performers in Hawaii, including his father’s Gabby Pahinui Hawaiian Band, The Peter Moon Band, The Pahinui Brothers, Nina Kealiiwahamana, Bill Kaiwa and Hui Aloha. Today, Pahinui can be found performing Sunday nights at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort with Aaron Mahi and George Kuo.
Set to take the stage at upcoming “Kanikapila in Kailua” performances are:
• Mailani on August 16
• Palani Vaughan on September 20
• Kamakakehau Fernandez on October 18
• Teresa Bright on November 15
“Kanikapila in Kailua” has been running for more than two years and is a celebration of Hawaiian music and culture. It is held one Saturday each month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. on the ground floor of the Kailua parking garage near Longs/CVS in Kailua Town. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own beach chairs, pick up food from their favorite Kailua eatery and sit back, relax and enjoy amazing local music in an intimate, relaxed setting.
The Harold K.L. Castle Foundation, the largest private foundation headquartered in Hawai‘i, is committed to closing the achievement and preparation gaps in public education so that all Hawai‘i’s children have access to high-quality education that prepares them for success in college, career and citizenship. Its grants also focus on restoring nearshore marine ecosystems throughout the state and strengthening Windward O‘ahu communities.