Music in the Air

Photo courtesy of the Molokai Arts Center.

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. 

“I have been fortunate to continue working on new music with the upper players from the Molokai Instrumental Music Education program throughout the pandemic,” said Underwood. “The regular program at Kaunakakai School is still on hiatus due to DOE protocols, so I’m grateful to Father Brian Guerrini for allowing us to rehearse at St. Damien Catholic Church.”

Underwood said the group will continue to work on new music in January for a spring concert later in the year, and hopes the program will soon resume at Kaunakakai School.