Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas kicks off Blockbuster Summer 2026 Festival

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The Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas, a captivating experience that intertwines projected animation, evocative music, storytelling and hula, will kick off Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra's (HSO) Blockbuster Summer Festival 2026 on June 30.

In a collaboration led by the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), this free, one-hour performance features the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (HSO) performing ocean-themed original compositions by celebrated local composers Michael-Thomas Foumai, Herb Mahelona, Logyn Okuda, Justin Park and Takuma Itoh, paired with animations by Kari Noe, Janae Taclas, Dillon Valenzuela, Jewel Racasa, Sam St. John, Edward Ayano, Napua Rice, Huy Nguyen and Kieren McKee with guidance from partners, a storytelling advisory, and students from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Art Department.

The program also features a beautiful mele and hulaI Ola Kanaloa, I Ola Kākou created by Rosanna "Rosie" ʻAnolani Alegado and Aimee Sato under the guidance of Kumu Hula Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani that re-roots our deep pilina (connections) with Kanaloa and kai (the ocean). Audiences will be guided through time alongside native sea life and ʻaumākua (family or personal gods), exploring the vital role humans play in protecting our cherished waters.

"Hawaiʻi Sea Grant is humbled to support the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas as this program embodies our mission to connect people to place and the science that sustains us," Darren T. Lerner, Hawaiʻi Sea Grant director, said. "By uniting cultural practitioners, artists, educators, and researchers, we are able to extend the life of moʻolelo (stories) and ocean wisdom through music, dance, and animation that speaks directly to the hearts of Hawaiʻi's families. It is a beautiful, collective effort to ensure these stories and understanding continue to thrive for generations."

"The Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas celebrates our deep connection to the ocean, bringing together music, storytelling, hula and animation to inspire care for Hawaiʻi's precious waters," said HSO President and CEO Amy Iwano. "We are proud to share this immersive, locally created experience with our community through a free public performance."

HSO's Blockbuster Summer Festival 2026 is made for audiences of all ages who love to experience something special together. For only the second time, the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas will be available to the public to enjoy as a free 'ohana concert. RSVP is required through the HSO box office online.

One hour prior to the concert, nearly a dozen organizations that focus on Hawaiʻi's marine and coastal environment will be available in the lobby to share educational information with the concert attendees. Immediately following the concert, there will be a 30-minute talk story session with key contributors Kalilinoe Detwiler, Itoh and Alegado facilitated by Foumai and Beth Lenz.

The Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas brings together the University of Hawaiʻi, local experts and organizations, as well as federal, state and county agencies to weave culture, science and the arts into an inspiring shared experience. By uniting diverse partners under a common vision, the performance highlights the importance of collective stewardship and showcases how music and storytelling can inspire communities to care for Hawaiʻi's unique marine environments.

The program is a collaborative effort funded by the UH Mānoa Strategic Investment Initiative awarded to Hawaiʻi Sea Grant, initiated by Lerner and led by Lenz with coordinators Itoh (UH Music Department), Detwiler (UH Mānoa English Department), Anne Rosa (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant), Melissa Price (UH Mānoa Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management) and Kanesa Duncan Seraphin (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant).

Details:

Date: Tuesday, June 30

Doors open at 5 p.m., concert starts at 6 p.m.

Location: Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall (777 Ward Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi 96814)

Admission: For more information and tickets online.

Conducted by Michael-Thomas Foumai and narrated by Kanaka singer, actor and voiceover artist Barrie Kealoha.

About Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra

Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is the premier provider of live symphonic music in the Pacific. Performing at the historic Hawaii Theatre Center and Neal S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, HSO features award- winning musicians who bring a distinctive voice to a dynamic and diverse repertoire. With more than 50 concerts annually - including the Halekulani Masterworks Series, HapaSymphony, and Sheraton Summer Festival- the HSO reaches over 35,000 audience members and 3,000 students annually through its performances and educational programs. HSO is deeply committed to enriching lives by offering a uniquely local perspective on world-class music.

About the University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program

The University of Hawai'i Sea Grant College Program (Hawaiʻi Sea Grant) is part of the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa's School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology. It supports an innovative program of research, education, extension, and communication services directed to increasing sustainability of coastal and marine resources and resilience of coastal communities of the state, region and nation. Science serving Hawai'i and the Pacific since 1968. Hawai'i Sea Grant is one of 34 Sea Grant programs across the nation supported by NOAA.

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For more information, visit: https://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/news-and-events/in-the-news/