One of Hilo’s signature music events is returning for the first time since the pandemic — and it promises an excellent bang for your entertainment buck.
The Hilo Hawaiian Music Festival — formerly known as the Big Island Hawaiian Music Festival — boasts some of the Big Island’s brightest music stars from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium in Hilo.
Building on the success of previous years, organizers are looking to reestablish this signature community event. This year’s theme is “Hawaii Island’s Hawaiian Musicians,” and the goal is to honor Hawaii Island’s own and perpetuate the island’s unique music style and culture.
“We’re bringing bringing the traditional Hawaiian music, the kind that’s part of our heritage,” said Ben Kaili, Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning slack-key artist and the festival’s co-organizer, with the nonprofit Naalehu Theatre. “We’ve got the artists.”
The festival will feature slack-key guitar, Hawaiian steel guitar, ‘ukulele and falsetto vocals, as well as hula, to provide an authentic experience for both kama‘aina and visitors.
Kaili is one of the artists, as well as his fellow band mates in Kanakapila — JJ Ahuna, Victor Chock and Dwight Tokumoto.
One of the artists taking part is ‘ukulele wizard Kris Fuchigami, who just brought home a Hoku statuette this past weekend for Instrumental Composition of the Year for his original song, “Always Be There.”
This time around, Fuchigami was a co-winner, as he and fellow ‘ukulele artist Taimane tied in the voting by members of the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts.
“It’s only happened a few times in history. But I’m so glad it was Taimane, because me and Taimane go way back,” Fuchigami said.
“I mean, we’ve been friends for over 10 years and grew up in the ‘ukulele world at the same time.
“We got to share that moment on stage and hang out for a bit backstage afterwards and just talk.”
It’s the third Hoku in the same category for Fuchigami, who also won in 2019 and 2021.
Fuchigami, a former teen ‘ukulele phenom who’s now a father of two young sons, has been a regular performer at the Hilo festival for almost two decades.
“I remember back in 2003 was the first time I ever went to watch it, and I saw Britni (Paiva) playing there. And then, 2004 is when we first started performing at the festival,” he said.
Fuchigami is currently working on his next album, which he said should be released next year. He’ll also appear July 23 at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu for the Hawaii ‘Ukulele Festival.
In addition, Fuchigami and partners have started a company called Ukeverse.
“Essentially, we started it as a clothing brand, just to trademark the brand name,” he said. “But we also started a Facebook and an Instagram page for ‘ukulele lovers to post their videos and pictures, and just talk about the ‘ukulele. And it’s giving them an outlet to shine.
“I know a lot of people practice, practice, practice. And sometimes, there’s absolutely zero reward at the end, and they end up going astray from the ‘ukulele they loved at one point. But we now have a place they can post online and get positive feedback from others who have similar interests.”
Other artists performing in the all-afternoon kanikapila are: falsetto vocalist and 14-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Mark Yamanaka; Waimea slack-key master Sonny Lim, who’s first solo album in 2006 received a Grammy nomination; Kevin Brown; Kuuipo Kumukahi; Lopaka Kenoi; Kehau Tamure of Na Palapalai fame; Kihei Ahuna; and Rick Alaniz and son, Star Alaniz, of the band Mokuleo.
The emcee is Christy Leina‘ala Lassiter, herself a Hawaiian music singer-songwriter of note.
There also will be ono grinds and Hilo Hawaiian Music Festival T-shirts.
Advance tickets are $8, available at Basically Books, Hilo Town Tavern and at the festival’s website, HiloHawaiianMusicFestival.com. Admission at the door will be $10.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.