Singing Across Molokai

Members of the Kanikapila Singers of Leeward Community College described Molokai as amazing, priceless, peaceful, beautiful and friendly. For their first tour of the Friendly Isle, the 16-member choir traveled to nearly every corner and sang for countless residents. Their program of classical as well as Hawaiian music was heard at the Saturday Farmer’s Market, several churches including Our Lady of Seven Sorrows and Molokai Baptist, and even private parties.

The choir had a particularly unique experience when they hiked down to Kalaupapa and across to St. Philomena Church to sing “Prayers of Kalaupapa,” with the composer of the song accompanying them.

“[Molokai] is what I remember Hawaii was like growing up,” said choir director Marilyn Liu Kim. “People here are givers, not takers.”

Their journey culminated at the Memorial Day celebrations at the Veterans Cemetery on May 30. Choir director Marilyn Liu Kim said the choir does a tour every Memorial Day.

“This is what there’s a need for; veterans are often a forgotten group,” Kim said, who is also a Professor of Voice at Leeward.

“It gives us a chance to give back to the veterans,” said singer Nathan Yoshii.