NEW INITIATIVE OFFERS INNOVATIVE MUSIC EDUCATION FOR HAWAI‘I’S YOUTH

HONOLULU, HAWAIʻI — A partnership between Lōkahi, Hawai‘i Youth Symphony (HYS) and Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (BGCH) will expand music education opportunities for Hawai‘i’s youth. The program blends in-person instruction, digital learning tools, and mentorship to nurture talent and inspire lifelong engagement with music.

Through this joint effort, 60 students from three BGCH Clubhouses will participate in hands-on music lessons guided by HYS instructors and supported by Fender Play, an interactive online music education platform, provided by the music education nonprofit Lōkahi. Regular sessions at each Clubhouse will offer consistent instruction and mentorship, giving students a space to learn an instrument, collaborate with peers and grow their appreciation for music.

“We’re grateful for this collaborative effort with Lōkahi and Hawai‘i Youth Symphony, which gives our keiki and teens new opportunities to express themselves and discover new sides of who they are,” said Paddy Kauhane, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. “It’s amazing to see what happens when they’re given space to try something new and see themselves in a different light.”

Students enrolled in the program will receive lessons from HYS instructors trained by Lōkahi to utilize Fender Play. This technology allows students to access instructor-guided video lessons and play-along tracks at home to continue building their skills beyond club hours. 

“Music is a powerful catalyst for unity, imagination, and learning, and we’re thrilled to launch this collaboration to expand music education opportunities across Hawai’i,” said Mark Fukunaga, Executive Chair of Servco Pacific Inc., one of Lōkahi’s sponsors. “It brings together all the right elements of technology, cultural relevance, and an investment in our educators to deliver engaging lessons that will significantly benefit the students.”

Research has shown that participation in music programs enhances communication and empathy, and this initiative further supports youth in developing emotional and social skills like teamwork, self-expression and resilience.

“Sharing an accessible platform for extended learning with students harmonizes beautifully with our in-person programs at the Clubhouse and our ongoing mission at HYS, helping youth to discover how music can become a lifelong source of creativity and connection,” said Randy Wong, President and CEO at Hawai‘i Youth Symphony. “The only program of its kind serving O‘ahu’s west side community, Nānākuli Strings, has doubled in size just this past year thanks to an incredible partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii, and this exciting new collaboration with Lōkahi comes at the perfect time to amplify impact.”

This partnership will benefit students enrolled in music classes led by Kau‘ionālani Mead, MEdF at the Nānākuli Clubhouse and music classes taught by Abe Lagrimas, Jr. at the Spalding Clubhouse. Fittingly timed, HYS is launching a new Rock Band class led by teacher Jake Lui and an ukulele class taught by Maia Mayeshiro at the Windward Clubhouse, which will benefit from this collaboration. For more information on the in person music classes, families are invited to visit www.hiyouthsymphony.org/mitch/. To access Fender Play for students and additional free resources, educators are invited to visit lokahi.podia.com.