{"id":235042,"date":"2026-05-27T10:55:14","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T20:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=235042"},"modified":"2026-05-28T13:01:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T23:01:07","slug":"symphony-of-the-hawaii-seas-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/27\/symphony-of-the-hawaii-seas-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Seas<\/em> kicks off Blockbuster Summer 2026 Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
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Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em> honu (turtle) animation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em>, a captivating experience that intertwines projected animation, evocative music, storytelling and hula, will kick off Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Symphony Orchestra\u2019s (HSO<\/abbr>) Blockbuster Summer Festival 2026<\/a> on June 30.<\/p>\n

In a collaboration led by the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant College Program<\/a> (Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant), this free, one-hour performance features HSO<\/abbr> 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<\/span> Art Department.<\/p>\n

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The animators, producers and creative team behind the Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The program also features a beautiful mele and hula I Ola Kanaloa, I Ola Kākou<\/span><\/em><\/a> created by Rosanna “Rosie” ʻAnolani<\/span> Alegado and Aimee Sato under the guidance of Kumu Hula Kekuhi Kealiʻikanakaʻoleohaililani<\/span> 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<\/span> (family or personal gods), exploring the vital role humans play in protecting our cherished waters.<\/p>\n

“Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant is humbled to support the Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em> as this program embodies our mission to connect people to place and the science that sustains us,” Darren T. Lerner, Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant director, said. “By uniting cultural practitioners, artists, educators and researchers, we are able to extend the life of moʻolelo<\/span> (stories) and ocean wisdom through music, dance and animation that speaks directly to the hearts of Â鶹´«Ã½\u2019s<\/span> families. It is a beautiful, collective effort to ensure these stories and understanding continue to thrive for generations.”<\/p>\n

“The Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em> celebrates our deep connection to the ocean, bringing together music, storytelling, hula and animation to inspire care for Â鶹´«Ã½\u2019s<\/span> precious waters,” said HSO<\/abbr> President and CEO<\/abbr> Amy Iwano. “We are proud to share this immersive, locally created experience with our community through a free public performance.”<\/p>\n

Audiences of all ages<\/h2>\n
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Foumai conducts the Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

HSO<\/abbr>\u2019s 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 Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em> will be available to the public to enjoy as a free ʻohana<\/span> concert. RSVP<\/abbr> is required through the HSO<\/abbr> box office online.<\/a><\/p>\n

One hour prior to the concert, nearly a dozen organizations that focus on Â鶹´«Ã½\u2019s<\/span> 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.<\/p>\n

The Symphony of the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Seas<\/em> brings together the University of Â鶹´«Ã½,<\/span> 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 Â鶹´«Ã½\u2019s<\/span> unique marine environments.<\/p>\n

The program is a collaborative effort funded by the UH<\/abbr> Mānoa<\/span> Strategic Investment Initiative awarded to Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant, initiated by Lerner and led by Lenz with coordinators Itoh (UH<\/abbr> Music Department), Detwiler (UH<\/abbr> Mānoa<\/span> English Department), Anne Rosa (Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant), Melissa Price (UH<\/abbr> Mānoa<\/span> Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Management) and Kanesa Duncan Seraphin (Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Sea Grant).<\/p>\n

Details:<\/h2>\n