Outrigger Hotels and Resorts celebrates 6th Annual Mele Mei with a full line-up of Hawaiian music
RELEASE NUMBER 41/16
HONOLULU, HI – As part of Outrigger Hotels and Resorts’ E Mele Ana program of year-round support of Hawaiian music and culture, Outrigger is pleased to be a sponsor of this year’s 6th Annual Mele Mei Celebration and offer a full line-up of Hawaiian music and events at its Waikiki properties, including an expanded Sunday music series during the month of May at Kani Ka Pila Grille, as well as two Henry Kapono and Friends concerts on May 22 at Blue Note Hawaii, Waikiki’s newest and most exciting music venue.
Kani Ka Pila Grille Mele Mei Sunday Concert Series at the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort
True Hawaiian music can be enjoyed at Kani Ka Pila Grille in the Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort every night of the week from 6 to 9 p.m. and Wednesday through Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. However, during the month of May, Kani Ka Pila Grille is expanding its Sunday performance with an extra hour of music and not one, but two, music groups each Sunday evening as part of its Mele Mei Sunday Concert Series.
- May 1: Blayne Asing (5 p.m.-6:45 p.m.) and Brother Noland (7 p.m.-9 p.m.)
- May 8: Ben Vegas & Maila Gibson (5 p.m.-6:45 p.m.) and Nathan Aweau (7 p.m.-9 p.m.)
- May 15: Kuuipo Kumukahi (5 p.m.-6:45 p.m.) and Mailani Makainai (7 p.m.-9 p.m.)
- May 22: Lehua Kalima & Shawn Pimental (5 p.m.-6:45 p.m.) and Kuana Torres Kahele (7 p.m.-9 p.m.)
- May 29: Kupaoa (5 p.m.-6:45 p.m.) and Maunalua (7 p.m.-9 p.m.)
For information or to make a reservation, call (808) 924-4990.
May Day Waikiki
May Day is “lei day” in Hawaii. As an official sponsor, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts invite you to experience this annual local celebration with a heartfelt tribute to Waikiki’s iconic Beach Boys. Melveen Leed and Henry Kapono will perform live Sunday, May 1, from 2 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. on iconic Waikiki Beach fronting the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort and the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. For additional updates and details, visit: https://www.facebook.com/MayDayWaikiki/.
Blue Note Hawaii Presents: Henry Kapono & Friends – a ‘Mele Mei’ Concert Celebration at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Henry Kapono has invited friends Amy Hanaialii, Sean Naauao, Robi Kahakalau, Ledward Kaapana, John Cruz and Brother Noland to join him for a night of Hawaiian entertainment at “Blue Note Hawaii Presents: Henry Kapono & Friends – a ‘Mele Mei’ Concert Celebration.” With such a stellar line-up of award-winning musicians, tickets for the Sunday, May 22, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. shows are expected to sell out quickly, so fans are encouraged to get their tickets early.
Tickets are now on sale at www.bluenotehawaii.com or call the box office at 808-777-4890.
Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Ala Moana Hotel
April 30, Hibiscus Ballroom, Doors open at 10 a.m.
This year’s Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts Lifetime Achievement Awards (LAA) recipients include Jon de Mello, founder of the Mountain Apple Company; vocal coaches Neva Rego and Betty Grierson; steel guitar player Hiram Olsen; Roy Sakuma founder of the Ukulele Festival; and celebrated entertainer and recording artist Elaine Ako Spencer.
Tickets for the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Awards show are $75 and include a lunch buffet, silent auction and awards show. Purchase tickets online at www.nahokuhanohano.org.
Interesting fact: The Ala Moana Hotel was the original home of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards ceremony in 1978. As the popularity of the show grew, it also outgrew the space at the Ala Moana Hotel, and the awards program eventually made its way across the street into its current home at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.
Duke’s Waikiki at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort
Duke’s Waikiki at Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort presents a lively line-up of entertainment nightly, with the restaurant’s popular outdoor concerts every Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon from 4 to 6 p.m. Some of Hawaii’s favorite contemporary artists perform on its beachfront stage with world-famous Diamond Head in view. During the month of “Mele Mei,” locals and visitors can enjoy:
- Fridays: Maunalua (May 6, 13, 27) and Kaiona Trio (May 20)
- Saturdays: Beach 5 (May 7), Kailua Bay Buddies (May 21), MOJO (May 28)
- Sundays: It’s Duke’s on Sunday with Henry Kapono (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)
Na Mele No Na Pua Sunday Showcase at Waikiki Beach Walk®
Plaza Fountain Stage, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
Waikiki Beach Walk® celebrates Mele Mei with its twice-a-month Na Mele No Na Pua Sunday Showcase with concerts on May 15 and 29. However, one month is just not enough time to celebrate, so center manager invites everyone to make sure to continue the musical celebration with its June concerts as well.
- May 15: Na Waihooluu o ke Anuenue
- May 29: Mike Kaawa & Friends
- June 5: Lehua Kalima and Shawn Pimental
- June 19: Halau Hula O Kawailiula with Kumu Chinky Mahoe
GRAMMY Museum® exhibit: Ki Hoalu – Honoring the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Tradition
This year, the Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists and Mele Mei, together with a roster of sponsors that included Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, launched an annual partnership with the GRAMMY Museum®. Dubbed Mele Mei in LA, Hawaiian music and a company of award-winning island musicians were front and center during the week leading up to the 58th Annual GRAMMY Awards® in Los Angeles this past February. The partnership also included a special exhibit that celebrated the history and artists of the Hawaiian slack key guitar, Ki Hoalu – Honoring the Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Tradition. The exhibit has been on display at the GRAMMY Museum since February and now travels to Hawaii for residents and visitors to enjoy. Exhibit dates and venues include:
- Ala Moana Center, Mall Level 2, Mauka Wing: Sunday, May 1- Thursday, June 30, from 12-5 p.m.
- Bloomingdale’s Ala Moana (Cosmetic’s Level): Sunday, May 1- Sunday, May 22
- Hawaii Convention Center: Saturday, May 28, at the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
For more information on Outrigger’s commitment to Hawaiian music, visit outrigger.com/music.
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts offers a variety of room packages at its Waikiki properties. With all the music offerings available during Mele Mei, extend the fun with a few nights at an Outrigger hotel or condominium in Waikiki. For reservations or information, call toll free 800-688-7444 within the United States, Guam and Canada or direct at 303-369-777. Book online at outrigger.com or email reservations@outrigger.com.
Mele Mei 2016 is sponsored by the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (HARA) and Hawaii Tourism Authority. Ticket information for the 39th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Show as well as a list of this year’s nominees, can be found online at nahokuhanohano.org. For more information on Mele Mei, please visit melemei.com. You can also follow Mele Mei on Facebook at facebook.com/MeleMeiHawaii, on Twitter at twitter.com/melemei, and on Instagram at instagram.com/melemei as well as the hashtag #melemei2016.
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