Music

Classical Summer Concert

Wednesday, July 27th, 2022

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

Molokai residents got a free concert by cellist Daniel Scoggins and violinist Jordan Watt last Thursday at St. Damien Catholic Church. The musicians are teaching fellows at the Hawaii Youth Symphony’s Pacific Music Institute. Not only did the public enjoy a concert but students of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education Program (MIME), founded by Bob Underwood, received a teaching session from Scoggins and Watt. Both musicians traveled to Hawaii this summer for the Pacific Music Institute’s annual summer camp, which connects students with acclaimed soloists and educators from leading music schools.…

Playing for a Cause

Friday, March 18th, 2022

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

The Kalaupapa Backyard Band performed a special show last Friday night at Paddlers Restaurant and Bar. All proceeds from the tip jar will be donated to the Ukraine through the United Church of Christ and the Kalaupapa churches, Kana’ana Hou and Siloama, through their minister Richard Miller. Playing to a packed house, the band raised $850 for the cause, which will be sent to assist Ukrainians in need, being invaded by Russia. 

Miller, the band’s harmonica player, is one of the founding members of KBB and will be returning to his home in Pennsylvania on May 1 after almost 20 years of service at Kalaupapa National Historical Park and the churches.…

Music in the Air

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021

By The Molokai Dispatch Staff

A church full of Molokai residents enjoyed a winter concert played by musicians of the Molokai Instrumental Music Education (MIME) Program last Wednesday, Dec. 15. The program is led by Bob Underwood and financially sponsored by the Molokai Arts Center. The young string musicians shared festive pieces at the St. Damien Catholic Church in Kaunakakai. 

A highlight of the concert was “Palehua,” written by Amy Hanaialiʻi Gilliom and William Kahaiali’i, sung by Keaka Kaiama and featuring percussionist John Aki. The group also performed pieces including the first two movements from Mozart’s “Eine Kleine Nachtmusik,” “Ave Maria” by Schubert, “Postcards from Russia” by Carrie Lane Gruselle, and “Mambo” from West Side Story. …