The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (“HARA”) Presents the Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival and the 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, May 25-27, 2012

Honolulu, HI, May 22, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts (“HARA”) is proud to present the 2012 Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival (“the Festival”), May 25-27, at the Hawaii Convention Center. The Festival events are open to the public, and will include two days of unique music industry-related workshops and panel discussions led by over 60 of Hawaii’s most notable performing artists, kumu hula, and industry professionals, as well as the 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards (“the Hokus”) on May 27th. Please see ticket information, below.

The Festival is the culminating event of Mele Mei 2012 – a month-long celebration of Hawaii’s music, which kicked off with an Opening Concert and Luncheon at The Willows on April 27th, and has continued to showcase Hawaii’s finest talent at packed venues in and around Waikiki throughout May. Please visit the Mele Mei website for a schedule of the remaining events – and mahalo for supporting Hawaii’s music.

“On this landmark 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts is especially proud as we continue to celebrate the excellence of Hawaii’s music and recording artists,” said Kuuipo Kumukahi, HARA President. “HARA’s mission is to preserve, perpetuate and promote Hawaii’s music and recording industry, and with the success of the month-long Mele Mei, the Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival, and our efforts as an organization all year long, we feel we are fulfilling this important task and plan to continue and grow our efforts into the future as we bring Hawaii's music to the world.”

Here is a summary of the Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival workshops and the 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. Tickets are still available from HARA.

Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival 2012 – Schedule Of Events

Friday, May 25 – Festival Workshops, Day 1
The Festival workshops include several courses over two days - “Music – The Business”; “Sessions with Artists & Composers”; “Haku Mele & Composition”; and “Kintetsu Presents Hula Workshops.”
Venue: Hawaii Convention Center
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Class Schedule: http://www.nahokumusicfestival.com/regist_fri/
Ticket Info: Please see below.

Saturday, May 26 – Festival Workshops, Day 2
The Festival workshops include several courses over two days - “Music – The Business”; “Sessions with Artists & Composers”; “Haku Mele & Composition”; and “Kintetsu Presents Hula Workshops.”
Venue: Hawaii Convention Center
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Class Schedule: http://www.nahokumusicfestival.com/regist_sat/
Ticket Info: Please see below.

Sunday, May 27 - The 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards
The Hokus honors the best of Hawaii’s recording artists in 27 categories, and features exciting live performances. You may see the complete list of nominees at http://www.hawaiieventsonline.com/view.php?eventID=19785&ref=%2Fquicksearch.php%3FCatID%3D8%26start_num%3D0%26num_
results%3D20.
Venue: Kalakaua Ballroom, Rooftop, Hawaii Convention Center
Time: 3:30 p.m. - Registration Opens
4:00 p.m. - No-Host Cocktails
5:00 p.m. - Ballroom Doors Open
5:15 p.m. - Welcome Pule/Dinner Served
5:30 p.m. - Pre-Show Awards
7:00 p.m. - Main Show/Life Televised Broadcast
Ticket Info: Please see below.

Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival 2012 – Ticket Information

Ticket Prices - Festival Workshops, May 25 & 26, 2012
• All-Day Pass for May 25 & 26 Workshops (unlimited workshops):
• $100 General Admission
• $85 Kamaaina
• $75 HARA Member
• Individual Workshop (single workshop on May 25 or May 26)
• $40 General Admission
• $30 Kamaaina
• $25 HARA Member

Ticket Prices – Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, May 27, 2012
• $150 General Admission
• $135 Kamaaina
• HARA Member

How To Purchase Tickets
• Purchase online at www.nahokumusicfestival.com;
• Call HARA at (808) 593-9424; or
• Purchase at the door (workshops, only).

About Mele Mei
Started in May 2011, Mele Mei is a month-long celebration of the unique music of Hawaii. It encompasses workshops, concerts, award ceremonies, two international hula conferences, and more, and culminates with the Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival, including the prestigious 35th Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The 2012 Mele Mei events are being held throughout Waikiki at various hotels, on the beach, at restaurants, the Hawaii Convention Center, and other venues. For more information, please visit www.melemei.com.

About The Na Hoku Hanohano Music Festival
Part of the month-long Mele Mei 2012, and sponsored by the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, Kintetsu, Ala Moana Hotel, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Alaska Airlines, Star-Advertiser & MidWeek, KZOO Radio, Hawaii.com, ING Direct, Celebrity Tuxedos, Oceanic Time Warner Cable, Kamehameha Publishing, Hawaiian Airlines, and other partners, this music festival offers the public a unique chance to experience a rich cultural interchange, making the connections between music, our culture, and the spirit of aloha, through interesting and unique workshops, demonstrations, performances and exhibitions, as follows:

Date Event Location
Friday, April 27 Public Opening Event & Media Day The Willows
Saturday, May 5 Lifetime Achievement Awards Ala Moana Hotel
Friday, May 25 Workshops, Day 1 Hawaii Convention Center
Saturday, May 26 Workshops, Day 2 Hawaii Convention Center
Sunday, May 27 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Hawaii Convention Center