Freelance Musicians Alert MAH Local 677 is proud to announce a free training — the “Know Your Rights Workshop” — which will be held at Studio 909 on Monday, November 16, 2026, 7 p.m. We are fortunate to be joined by AFM Assistant Director of Organizing Ed Gutierrez, who will be bringing over 25 years […]
The Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) negotiations have concluded, and the new collective bargaining agreement has been ratified by the musicians. It took some time, it took some hard work, and there were some rough patches, but we got it done. The new agreement runs through August 31, 2029. There will be pay raises for both […]
Music Performance Trust Fund Overview, Summer/Fall 2026 MPTF continues to fund successful performances by Local 677 musicians in concerts at the MAH Studio 909 Performance Hall, as well as at retirement and care facilities (Arcadia, Pohai Nani, Kahala Nui, and others). In 2026, to date, a total of 76 gigs for our musicians were funded […]
Aloha members, welcome to the Fall edition of the newsletter. I’m happy to report that the Hawai’i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) has started its season with “Don Quixote” by Richard Strauss, “Pipa Concerto” by Zhao Jiping, and “Pines of Rome” by Ottorino Respighi, conducted by Music Director Dane Lam. The HSO Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) is […]
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. […]
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: 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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]