Live from the Atherton: Kimo Alama Keaulana

Live from the Atherton Storytellers' Series:
Mele Memories: A Sharing of Life Experiences with Kimo Alama Keaulana
Thursday, March 19 at 6 p.m.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

On Thursday, May 28 at 6 p.m., join us for an evening of storytelling about music, memory, and education with Kimo Alama Keaulana and DJ Mermaid, exploring the rich tradition of Hawaiian falsetto singing and the enduring legacy of mele across generations.

From 19th-century songs preserved in Hawaiian-language newspapers to melodies passed down orally when written records were scarce, this conversation traces how music lives, evolves, and survives into the 21st century. Together, we’ll explore how knowledge is shared, who is entrusted to carry it forward, and the cultural protocols that guide the learning and performance of these songs.

The evening will also highlight influential yet often unsung contributors to Hawaiian music, including the legacy of figures like Parks & Rec, and the role of early radio programs in preserving and sharing mele with broader audiences.

This is a recorded conversation that invites curiosity, reflection, and a deeper appreciation of the artistry and knowledge embedded in Hawaiian music traditions.

What You'll Experience:

• A deeper understanding of Hawaiian singing and its cultural significance
• Insight into how mele are preserved, taught, and shared across generations
• Stories of lesser-known figures and moments in Hawaiian music history
• A sense of curiosity and wonder—leaving you thinking, “I didn’t know that… I want to learn more.”

ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Kimo Alama Keaulana just completed 6 years as the Kumu ʻIke Hawaiʻi and Kumu Hula at Punahou School. However, he still works with Punahou School on special projects. Prior to being at Punahou School, he was an Assistant Professor in Hawaiian Studies and Language at Honolulu Community College for 22 years. Prior to that, Kimo was a Secondary Social Studies teacher, Department Chair and Teacher Trainer with the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Education. Kimo has also taught at Kapiʻolani Community College and continues to teach specialized advanced Hawaiian Language courses at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Kimo received an Associates in Arts from Honolulu Community College, a Bachelor of Education, a Professional Diploma, and a Master of Education from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. In May of 2023, UHM conferred a Doctorate of Humane Letters upon Kimo. Kimo is also the recipient of a Teacher of the Year Award (Oceanic & Finance Factors), 3 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award, the I Ulu I Ke Kumu Award (UHM), and the Malia Kau Award (Moanalua Gardens Foundation). Kimo is a commissioner with the King Kamehameha Celebration Commission, director of pāʻū wrappers for the Kamehameha Day in Honolulu, a governor with the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts, a board member of the Lanikūhonua Cultural Institute, a board member of the Mary Kawena Pukui Cultural Preservation Society, and a director of the annual Lei O Lanikūhonua event. Kimo has been teaching hula for 55 years and is a resident of the Nānākuli Hawaiian Homestead.

Kimo will be joined by DJ Mermaid, host of HPR's Hawaiʻi Kulāiwi

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Live from the Atherton series begin at 6 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Doors open thirty minutes before the show starts.

This event will be filmed, recorded and photographed. Your presence constitutes your release of all rights to your recorded voice and image, which may be used in projects by Hawaiʻi Public Radio.

Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis — advance ticket purchase or reservation is strongly suggested.

Ticket Policy: Ticket sales are final. Sorry, no refunds.

Parking: Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood (metered parking is free after 6 p.m.).

Mahalo to HMSA for their sponsorship of our HPR “Live from the Atherton” events.

HPR exists to serve the people of Hawai’i. We are a trusted, community-funded public service that informs with essential news, inspires through the power of music and the arts, and connects people through conversations and convenings.

See the latest in news, talk, and entertainment at hawaiipublicradio.org

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PARKING: Street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood (metered parking is free after 6 pm). See more information here: https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/parking-instructions 

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