Kamehameha Schools Maui students performed their spring concert on Thursday May 7. This year, the different musical groups combined for one mass performance. Kumu Kalei Aarona-Lorenzo, the one of the coordinators, said the groups had never been combined like that before.

“I thought that overall, it was fun tonight,” she said. “The students did very well.”

Both the ‘ukulele groups performed together for the first time as well.

“There were some challenges tonight, especially for the ‘ukulele groups,” Kumu Kalei said, “but they played very well tonight.”

At the end of the concert, Hawaiian Ensemble and ‘ukulele classes, choir and hula classes performed the song Home by Loeka Longakit.

“We really changed up the program this year,” Kumu Kalei said, “and I’ve always wanted to do that song. Instead of spelling Keaukaha like they do in the song, we spelled out Kamehameha.”

The ‘Ukulele One class surprised Kumu Kalei with how they played with ‘Ukulele Two.

“As far as getting together, they did extremely well,” Kumu Kalei said. “Those songs were very challenging.”

The Hawaiian Ensemble also played Tahitian songs for the crowd. They were the same group that visited Tahiti over Spring Break. The first song they played, Na Pe’a Hokule’a, celebrated the voyage of the Hōkūle’a. The other song they played was Te Nehenehene O Te Natura, which talked about the beauty of nature.

Junior Richard Renaud said that the groups have played together, but never for a Spring Concert. He had positive things to say about ʻUkulele One stepping up and performing with the rest of the groups tonight.

“I felt that they [the younger groups] were prepared,” Renaud said. “Their practice showed, and everyone sounded beautiful tonight.”

Gallery • 6 Photos

Photo by Kainoa Deguilmo

'Ukulele One plays "Rhythm of the Falling Rain."