On Sunday 20th August 2023, Music Director Dane Lam and his orchestra, the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, will join prominent musicians and artists from across the state as part of Maui Ola: A benefit concert for Maui.
"The aftermath of the wildfires in Maui (and also on the Big Island), shocked the community with their ferocity and cruelty. Many people all over Hawai'i know people who were affected, or who lost their homes or their lives. Hawai'i is tight-knit community and this spirit of solidarity and of being good neighbours pervades the islands. I'm a new Hawai'i resident, but the spirit of aloha (so much more than just a greeting), has brought people all over the islands together in supporting their neighbours, their brothers and sisters in Maui. Maui Ola unites so many of Hawai'i's greatest musical artists including Kolohe Kai, Hawaiian Style Band, Pure Heart, Jerry Santos, Raiatea Helm, Paula Fuga, Kimie Miner, Anuhea and Del Beazley. I am thrilled that we at the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, one of the oldest orchestras in the US, will join in song, in mele, in tribute to the people of Maui, to all they've lost, and to give strength in the rebuilding effort. The best thing is that we have all donated our time to this - every single person involved in the production - so that 100% of the proceeds can go to supporting Maui.
It's so easy to feel powerless in the face of such destruction and loss of life. It's true, the people of Maui need tangible help right now: food, shelter and financial support. But, music and the arts help us reconnect to our communities when we raise our voices in song, united in the effort to bring healing and hope to all those people who lost so much. Music, with its inherent creative and collaborative impulse, is the perfect counterbalance to these wantonly destructive events."
The concert will go out live on every TV station in Hawai'i, and for supporters overseas, can be livestreamed here.
To support Maui, please visit the benefit concert website here.
