NEWS & NOTES: Music Performance T...
During the Music Performance Trust Fund fiscal year, May 2024-April 2025, MPTF funded 4,728 performances across the U.S. and Canada at community centers, theaters, schools, senior centers/assisted living facilities, public events, Red Cross initiatives, airports, and more. All MPTF performances are admission-free. During the fiscal year, MPTF-funded performances served an estimated audience of two million. […]
IN MEMORIAM: Aunty Genoa Keawe and Ga...
Remembering a mother and son, Hawaiian legends of music and song It’s not just talent, accolades and awards, big, important associations, or an impressive legacy that make an artist. It’s how you treat people, connect and give of yourself to your muse and audience, the tender, spirited ways you touched the keys in the songs […]
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: LookinR...
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE: Lookin’ Good , Aloha members, I’m on a bit of a time crunch; this will be a short article. You’re welcome 😉 The Hawaii Symphony Orchestra continues to garner accolades and rave reviews, presenting a wide range of programs, from Brahms and Beethoven to Keola Beamer with precision, musicality, and magic. Diamond Head Theater, […]
NEWS & NOTES, SUMMER 2025
A Day of Slack Key The Labor Unions of Hawaii will sponsor a Labor Day Unity Concert at the Waikiki Shell on Sun., Aug. 31, from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sponsored by the Musicians Performance Trust Fund and Local 677, slack key guitar master George Kuo and the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Serenaders […]
Member Spotlight: Constance “Connie” ...
Gentle Heart, Gentle Hands Constance “Connie” Uejio (née Harding) comes alive when the subject turns to the lovely music she hears and plays on harp, organ, and piano. Principal harpist with Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) — retiring this year — has herself come a long way — Reading, PA — to share the special moments […]
President’s Message, Winter 2024
As the year draws to a close, as I reflect on the last year, I’m choosing to look at the successes, the good moments, the things that have improved for our musicians, the things that have made our corner of the world a little better. As musicians, we strive to improve, but sometimes, it’s a […]
News & Notes, Winter 2024
AFM Instrument Insurance The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) announces the return of instrument and equipment insurance, offered at special rates exclusively for members. The AFM has entered into an agreement with HUB International as its new U.S. group membership insurance program administrator, replacing AMBA. In addition to instrument and equipment insurance, HUB offers other personal […]
Labor News
Unite Here Local 5: Victory for Hotel Workers Union! Over this past Labor Day weekend, thousands of Unite Here! Local 5 hotel workers went on a three-day strike against eight major Hawaii hotels, including the Sheraton Waikiki, Hilton Hawaiian Village, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Moana Surfrider, Princess Kaiulani, and Waikiki Beach Marriott. Then, on Sept. 24, […]
Member Spotlight: Shawn Conley
Member Spotlight: Engaging Differences with Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra’s Principal Bassist Shawn Conley Look him up. Honolulu-born Shawn Conley posts some amazing gigs in between cute pictures of his family. Just how amazing? There’s the new release, American Railroad, with the Grammy-Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble, celebrating, playing, and reveling in the differences of the indigenous peoples and […]
President’s Message, October 20...
As I am writing this, 1,800 hotel workers, Unite Here Local 5, are on strike for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Some of our members have participated on the picket lines, and we recently sent a band to play at Local 5’s action at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. We received words of appreciation from […]