LIVE HAWAIIAN MUSIC THRIVING AT OUTRIGGER RESORTS
From Lunchtime Jam Sessions to Kani Ka Pila Classics, Hawaiian Music is Alive and Well in Waikiki
BY TREY GARMAN – Kani Ka Pila Grille (KKPG) is Home to Hawaiian Music, and on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the storied establishment celebrated its 16th anniversary with a joyous gathering of famous musicians. local media, OUTRIGGER ‘ohana, and long-time KKPG friends and family.
Our award-winning host, Luana Maitland, made everyone feel right at home and received a nice “shoutout” from the KITV Island Live crew, HERE, while Hawaii News Now TV personality Billy V praised KKPG, “as the only establishment that features Hawaiian music seven days a week, 365 days a year, and at times, was the only place featuring Hawaiian music in Waikīkī. Gotta give credit where credit is due.”
The star-studded show on Cyril Pahinui stage featured Kahiau Lam Ho, Ledward Kaapana, and Ei Nei, and a plethora of prizes were given away to those in the sold-out crowd, none sweeter than the grand prize, two nights accommodation and $100 KKPG certificate, awarded to the Mosley family (pictured).
Aloha Yokohama Ukulele Festival Champions to Perform at Kani Ka Pila Grille
Kaishin
As further proof that Kani Ka Pila Grille is THE place for Hawiian music, this Tuesday, March 26, two winners from the annual Aloha Yokohama Ukulele Festival will perform live at KKPG alongside some talented local students.
The evening entertainment begins at 5pm with a special performance from singer/songwriter Kalaʻe Camarillo and his student band from Kāpalama Elementary School (Keiki Ukulele) and continues at 7pm with international guest stars – Kaishin and Koume from Japan.
Koume
Kaishin was the winner of the instrumental category of the “Amateur Ukulele Japan’s No. 1 Contest” held in 2023 with the support of a major radio station, Nippon Broadcasting System Inc.
Koume was the winner of the song category of the “Amateur Ukulele Japan’s No. 1 Contest” held in 2023 with the support of a major radio station, Nippon Broadcasting System Inc.
MELE HALIʻA “Ke Kulāiwi” Series 2024 Continues at Waikiki Beach Walk (WBW)
In other Hawaiian Music activity, the Ke Kulāiwi Series continues with Mike Kaawa and HBC: Hawaiian Boy Crew at the Waikiki Beach Walk on April 21. Kaawa is one of Hawai‘i’s finest 12-string guitar players and likes to describe his music as “Hawaiian with attitude.” Looking further ahead, the Waimānalo Sunset Band takes the stage on Sunday, May 19.
Live Lunchtime Hawaiian Music at the OUTRIGGER Waikiki Beach Resort (OWK)
Hula Grill recently launched a new live Hawaiian music series with daily artists playing from Noon – 2pm, making those Hula Pie’s taste even better! Here’s a look at the upcoming performer schedule:
Kawika Kahiapo
Friday, May 22 – Yoza
Saturday, May 23 – Ells Simeona
Sunday, May 24 – Stephen Inglis
Monday, May 25 – Ben Kama
Tuesday, May 26 – Kawika Kahiapo
Wednesday, May 27 – Ronson Asuncion
Thursday, May 28 – Randy Allen
OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort (FOR)
Fiji’s First-Ever Wedding Famil Incentive a Huge Success
BY LAUREN JASPRIZZA – Our first wedding Famil Incentive was incredible. Our top seven wedding sellers for a 6-months period won a spot on this famil, where the wedding planners, wholesalers and travel agent winners from Australia and New Zealand spent 3 Nights at FOR and Castaway Island, Fiji (FCI). Weddings are a big part of our business in Fiji, particularly for FOR, and with new and old agents selling weddings post Covid I thought it would be a great opportunity to really show these agents what we offer for our wedding packages, as it has taken a few years for weddings to pick up again and for people to have confidence in booking destination weddings.
This was our first chance to really showcase everything about weddings to the agents. We had mock set up wedding ceremonies, a room set up with all the extras and offerings for ceremony and reception including flowers, center pieces, name place cards, chairs, colors, welcome boards, wishing wells. We then had all our in-house hosts from florists, activates and nannies attendants, butlers, and chefs talk about their services – the food on offer, catering for all dietary requirements and displaying a cake which of course we all got to try while the entire sales team talked about their individual roles.
We also invited our preferred outside suppliers such as DJ’s, hair and makeup artists, photographers & videographers to take part and showcase what they have to offer.
After all the learning we were treated to intimate wedding receptions, eating from the same wedding menus from our packages and the standard set ups with fairy lights, flowers table center pieces – it was just magic at both resorts – and I cannot thank all the hosts involved for making this happen. The feedback from the group has been amazing and we also received a lot of local Fiji media coverage which was great.
I have to thank our partners Fiji Airways, Tewaka, and South Sea Cruise who all played an important role getting the entire group around from the air to the ground and sea transfers.
