The Hawai‘i Police Department is putting young local music talents at the forefront with the announcement of the inaugural Kona HI-PAL Youth Music Showcase. Slated for August 9, the event is aimed at kids ages 5 to 18 from Hawai‘i Island. According to details released last Thursday by Nixle, the showcase will offer budding musicians the chance to flex their musical muscles onstage alongside Grammy-nominated local artist LT Smooth.
Aspiring musicians and bands can expect to perform to live music, courtesy of LT Smooth and his band, a notable departure from the traditional pre-recorded track accompaniment. Living in Kona, Officer Leonard Warren from the Community Policing Section, told Nixle, "We encourage kids across Hawai‘i Island to sign up. It’s an exciting opportunity for them to showcase their musical talent and possibly take the first step toward launching their music career!"
The stakes are more than just stage time. Winning performers will get the chance to record a single, and the cherry on top—a custom-made ukulele from the Hearo Foundation, Inc. The event kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at the Ohana Court on the University of the Nations campus and is expected to bring together the island’s youthful zest for music and community.
Interested keiki can enter as duets, groups, bands, or individually, with categories split by age group. The showcase has a limit of five performances per age category, making 25 performances the max. As reported by Nixle, sign-ups are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, with a deadline of July 1. Each performance will keep things snappy, limited to three minutes each.
To get in on the action, interested parties can reach out directly to Officer Leonard Warren via email to snag a spot and the necessary forms. And, local musicians with a philanthropic bent and a keen ear for talent, the Kona Community Policing Section is still on the lookout for judges. So, if giving back and fostering the next generation of Hawaiian musical talent sounds like your kind of gig, they're inviting you to get in touch.
