HONOLULU (HI Now) - Mele for Maui is happening for one big reason, to lift spirits and celebrate Maui’s resilience with the kind of music that brings people together. Saturday, September 19 the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra returns to Maui for the first time in 10 years, turning an evening at Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows into a community gathering filled with culture, connection, and hope.
This concert is rooted in what Royal Lahaina became when the wildfires hit Lahaina - a safe space the community could count on. Highgate Hawai‘i Group President Kelly Sanders says the resort opened its doors without hesitation, then continued investing in Maui with multimillion dollar renovations and new spaces like The Branches for nightly Hawaiian music, plus a new spa and oceanfront dining. Now, he and HSO Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam are inviting everyone back for something built for the people of Maui. A free night that delivers both the financial support of partners and the spiritual support of being together.
For Dane Lam, this is a homecoming with purpose. The name Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra was chosen to signal a promise, world class music for every island, and returning to Lahaina feels especially meaningful as HSO steps into its new role as the Official State Orchestra of Hawaiʻi. Expect 64 musicians on stage, a powerful mix of symphonic favorites and beloved Hawaiian artists, plus a brand new work commissioned for Maui, creating a live experience you can only get on this night.
Gates open at 4 p.m. with food trucks and a mākeke celebrating Maui artisans, with the concert running 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalows in Kāʻanapali. You can also watch worldwide on HawaiiNewsNow.com, the HNN app, and on K5. Learn more at royallahaina.com and follow @hawaiisymphonyorchestra and @travellingconductor.
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