HONOLULU (HI Now) - The Henry Kapono Foundation’s On the Rise (OTR) program is about more than gigs—it’s about building a legacy of mentorship, collaboration, and professional growth for Hawaiʻi’s emerging artists. Through curated HKF Master Classes, OTR artists receive hands-on education in branding, songwriting, genre exploration, and music business essentials, guided by Kalena and Kalaʻe Parish.
Mentorship at HKF goes far beyond advice—it’s about real-world experience and connection. One of the most impactful ways the Foundation mentors is by bringing artists together to collaborate, giving them space to experiment with new sounds, step outside their comfort zones, and grow as creatives.
Artist Ryan Perez, now in his third year with the program, shares how projects like “The Wave” (featuring Henry Kapono, Tavana, Ryan, Danny Carvalho, and Anthony Pfluke) and “3 Little Birds” (featuring Jenny Yim, Nani Carvalho, and Ninamarie Bell) have helped shape his journey—creating both musical breakthroughs and a strong sense of community.
Through this series, HKF provides not only performance opportunities, but the tools and support to thrive long-term. Tune in to hear original music from Ryan, including his soulful single “Life is Good,” and learn how HKF is cultivating Hawaiʻi’s next generation of artists—one collaboration at a time.
For more information on Ryan Perez, visit RyanPerezMusic.com or on Instagram @ryan_perez_music and YouTube @RyanPerez.
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