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10th Annual Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search Call for Entries

Posted by Kathy Foley

Category: Hawaii

7/11/2018

RELEASE NUMBER 55|18

Emcee Billy V. (left) and Outrigger Resorts Luana Maitland (right) with Ei Nei (center) – the 2017 winners of the Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search

HONOLULU – Outrigger Resorts, a steadfast sponsor of Hawaii’s vibrant arts and culture scene, is continuing its tradition of supporting local island musicians through its 10th annual Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search. The call for entries for this year’s contest is open now through July 21 – with the final showdown taking place during the 2018 Made in Hawaii Festival at Waikiki’s Neal Blaisdell Center on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“We are committed and honored to play a role in giving Hawaii’s rising artists their first big break,” said Luana Maitland, musical and cultural program director for Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort.

To enter, Outrigger invites aspiring traditional and contemporary Hawaiian musicians to share a DVD music sample or digital link to a past performance. Registration must be completed by Saturday, July 21, 2018, and include the name and high-resolution photo of the artist or group, along with a contact name, address and phone number. Submissions can be sent to luana.maitland@outrigger.com or Luana at Kani Ka Pila Grille, c/o Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, 2169 Kaila Road, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. For more information, visit www.outrigger.com/kkpgtalentsearch.

Once the call for entries is closed and the entrants reviewed, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort will announce the five finalists on Monday, July 23, 2018. The top island musicians will then be invited to perform live at this year’s Made in Hawaii Festival on Saturday, Aug.18, 2018, in front of a panel of renowned Hawaiian music industry professionals including:

    • Bobby Moderow, Grammy-nominee and Na Hoku Hanohano award winner
    • Blaine Kia, kumu hula, Hawaiian cultural advisor – Waikiki Beach Walk®
    • Eric Lagrimas, MELE program coordinator, instructor of music & entertainment business at Honolulu Community College
    • Luana Maitland, music director for Kani Ka Pila Grille

The grand prize winner will receive a one-month paid contract with Kani Ka Pila Grille that includes four performances every Wednesday in September 2018 (Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26). In addition, the winning artist or band will receive a personalized promotions and marketing plan consisting of a studio recording and electronic press kit at the Honolulu Community College’s Mike Curb, MELE Studios.

Located poolside at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Kani Ka Pila Grille is Honolulu’s hot spot for live Hawaiian music. The restaurant offers delicious dining in a relaxed and opening atmosphere from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The musical fun kicks off each evening at 6 p.m. with a regular line-up of distinguished Hawaiian performers including Sean Naauao, Weldon Kekauoha, Roddy Lopez & Na Hoku Pa, Kawika Kahiapo, Ka Hena and Ho`okena and a rotating selection of other award-winning island artists. For reservations or restaurant information, call (808) 924-4990 or visit www.outrigger.com/events/music/kani-ka-pila-grille.

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