Aloha Unplugged Gala Supports Kaua‘i Musicians and Mentorship
The Aloha Unplugged Gala brought an evening of live music, community dinner, and culture to Kīlauea on November 13, 2025, raising funds to support live music on Kaua‘i and the Kaua‘i On the Rise mentorship program for emerging local musicians. The event matters to residents because it channels private fundraising into local arts infrastructure, provides exposure for island talent, and highlights the role of community institutions in sustaining cultural and economic life.
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The Aloha Unplugged Gala, presented by Anaina Hou Community Park and the Henry Kapono Foundation, drew attendees to 5 2723 Kuhio Highway in Kīlauea on Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 5 30 pm to 9 30 pm. The dinner program featured Jerry Santos and included performances by Henry Kapono, Brother Noland, Kalena and Kala‘e Parish, and Alx Kawakami. The evening also included the Kaua‘i premiere of the short film Home in the Islands Episode 1, which features Jerry Santos. The event listing appears on the Kaua‘i Now community calendar and linked event materials provided ticket and program information.
Organizers positioned the gala as both a cultural showcase and a fundraiser. Proceeds are directed to support live music on Kaua‘i and to the Kaua‘i On the Rise mentorship program for emerging local musicians. For performers and audiences alike, the event provided a concentrated opportunity to connect established artists with younger talent, to expose community members to locally produced film work, and to reinforce a network that sustains performance opportunities across the island.
For residents and local policymakers the gala underscores several policy and institutional considerations. Public and private investments in arts programming operate in tandem on Kaua‘i. When community organizations and foundations step forward to underwrite concerts, mentorship initiatives, and venue operations, they relieve pressure on municipal budgets while shaping which artists and programs gain visibility. That dynamic raises questions about long term sustainability and accountability for the allocation of resources to cultural life. Voter preferences expressed in county budget decisions, local permitting priorities, and support for community venues all influence how frequently islands residents can access live music and arts education.
The event also had localized economic impacts. Dinner attendees, production staff, and visiting musicians contribute to spending on transportation, lodging, and food in the Kīlauea area. For emerging artists enrolled in mentorship programs, the exposure can translate into bookings and increased participation in the island music economy. The gala therefore functions as both a fundraiser and a practical platform for career development within Kaua‘i’s creative sector.
Organizers made tickets and event details available via the event website linked on the Kaua‘i Now listing. As community fundraising continues to play a central role in sustaining arts programs, residents and elected officials may wish to monitor outcomes from these investments, including mentorship program placements, concert schedules, and the broader availability of live performance opportunities across the county. The gala offered a snapshot of how local institutions and civic engagement come together to support music and cultural continuity on Kaua‘i.
