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16th Annual Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search – Call for Entries

Posted by Kathy Foley

Category: Hawaii

6/16/2023

RELEASE NUMBER 21|2023

Last year’s Talent Search winner Anthony Pfluke (fourth from left)

HONOLULU – OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels is proud to continue its support of Hawai‘i musicians through its annual Kani Ka Pila Grille Talent Search. Now in its 16th year – the call for entries is open, with the finals held during the Made in Hawai‘i Festival, Aug. 18-20, 2023, at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

The winner will receive a month-long contract to jam at the home of Hawaiian music, Kani Ka Pila Grille at the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, which includes four performances within a month in 2024. In addition, the winning artist or band will receive a personalized social media marketing package featuring an electronic press kit and promotional audio/video clips recorded at Honolulu Community College’s Mike Curb MELE Studios.

To enter, aspiring traditional and contemporary Hawaiian musicians are invited to share a DVD music sample or digital link to a past performance. Registration must be completed by July 15, 2023, 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, Hawai‘i 96815.

OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort will announce four finalists on July 22. These top island musicians will then be invited to perform live at this year’s Made in Hawai‘i Festival on Saturday, August 19, from 1-6 p.m. at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, in front of a panel of renowned Hawaiian music industry professionals.

Last year’s winner, Anthony Pfluke, will kick off the talent at 1:15 p.m. followed by the four finalists. The winner will be announced at 5:15 p.m. and then perform.

Located poolside at the OUTRIGGER Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, Kani Ka Pila Grille is Honolulu’s home for nightly live Hawaiian music. The restaurant offers delicious dining in a relaxed and open atmosphere from 6:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. A regular line-up of award-winning musicians kick-off each evening at 6 p.m., including Kawika Kahiapo, Sean Na‘auao, Ho‘okena, Nathan Aweau, Kala‘e Camarillo, Ei Nei and Ka Hehena with occasional special guest appearances, and of course, impromptu kanikapila! For reservations or restaurant information, call (808) 924-4990 or visit: www.outrigger.com/events/music/kani-ka-pila-grille.

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Click HERE for a PDF of this news release.