Kahuli Leo Lea will produce “Hawaiian Airlines May Day 2021: Makaikai,” a virtual concert that continues the annual Lei Day tradition by the Brothers Cazimero.
Keauhou, the 17-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winning group, returns to headline the concert experience with special guests, Robert Cazimero and his Halau Na Kamalei o Lililehua, Manu Boyd, the Haehae girls, Ka La Onohi Mai o Haehae under the direction of na Kumu Hula Tracie and Keawe Lopes, Halau Mohala Ilima under the direction of Kumu Hula Mapuana de Silva, and host, Billy V.
Echoing last year’s presentation, the concert experience will return in a virtual format, maintaining the collective commitment to re-imagine treasured events and gatherings amid COVID-19. The broadcast will premiere on Friday, May 1, 2020, statewide at 6:00 pm on KGMB and 7:00 pm on KFVE, and worldwide via Facebook Live by Kahuli Leo Lea and various partnering organizations. The program will also be re-broadcast on May 3, on KFVE at 8:00pm.
Inspired by the Aina Aloha Economic Futures (“AAEF”) declaration and Huliau Statement, the program will entice viewers beyond the aesthetic pleasures of song, dance and storytelling. The program invites viewers to experience “makaikai,” visits to endeared places shared by kamaaina, those deeply rooted in these places. Enjoying mele, hula, and moolelo––in the ways only kamaaina can share––promotes an economic future of Hawaii that finds success only through aloha aina, a deep and abiding love for and kuleana to the places and people of Hawaii.
Producer and Kahuli Leo Lea executive director, Zachary Lum says, “as Hawaii begins to welcome malihini [visitors] back to our islands, we are eager to utilize online platforms, bringing May Day to wider audiences and delivering an important message through this creative presentation. We believe that a brighter future for tourism in Hawaii involves
re-centering tourism on kamaaina, so that malihini can come to enjoy meaningful and responsible makaikai (visits) that are guided, driven, and informed by kamaaina.” Lum adds, “Such an interaction can continue to be a driving force when they are led by Hawaii’s greatest assets: our kamaaina who love these islands.”
The broadcast will be another memorable chapter in the series of May Day concerts with the joint support of co-title sponsors, Hawaiian Airlines and the Hawaiian Islands, and sponsors, Kanaeokana, Okinakalani Ltd., Studio Saki, The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, and Walmart.
“We look forward to once again virtually extending our aloha to our May Day audience in Hawaii and abroad by inviting them to makaikai and celebrate Hawaiian music, dance and storytelling with an amazing lineup of local talent” said Robert Sorensen Vice President Marketing and E-Commerce at Hawaiian Airlines.
Director of Hawaiian Cultural Affairs and Natural Resources at Hawaii Tourism Authority, and co-author of the Aina Aloha Economic Futures declaration, Kalani Kaanaana also adds: “May Day will be an opportunity to continue the conversation around the Aina Aloha Economic Futures declaration, encapsulating this important message through presentations of mele, hula, and moolelo (stories) of kamaaina. We hope you join us as we maintain our collective commitment toward our economic future rooted in aloha aina.”
