Lau Hawaiian Collective

Sweet, poignant, rollicking music of the islands.

Lau Hawaiian Collective is a group of performing artists dedicated to the perpetuation of Hawaiian music with reverence and imagination. Our concerts and educational programs illuminate the journey of Hawaii’s musical traditions through an ever-changing global landscape. We strive to continually embrace a spirit of welcoming, a love of learning, and a sparkling enthusiasm for sharing music and ideas.

LHC’s inaugural project was a celebration of Hawaiian chants, hulas, and contemporary songs on the theme of wai (fresh water) in 2011; a project funded in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. We shared this concert with communities throughout the Twin Cities and collaborated with Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education to create a multimedia concert celebrating the release of our CD, Wai: Hawaiian Fresh Water Songs, and CGEE’s Waters to the Sea program. In 2012, we were selected to serve as teaching artists with COMPAS, a nationally-recognized provider of arts education programs.

Lau Hawaiian Collective was recently featured on Minnesota Public Radio’s Minnesota Sounds and Voices. To listen, click here.

Our performers and their instruments:
Kim Sueoka (vocals, ‘ukulele, hula ‘ili’ili)
David Burk (‘ukulele, guitar, lap steel)
Rahn Yanes (bass)
Dave Kapell (glass harp, ‘ukulele, banjo ‘ukulele)
Shahzore Shah (vocals, percussion)
Performer Bios

Recent performances:
Na Mele Wai school workshops at Timber Ridge Elementary School (Johnston, IA)
Schubert Club Music in the Parks Family Concerts, St. Paul, 2013
Residency with Des Moines Choral Society, Heartland Youth Choir, Ames Chamber Artists, and Ames Children’s Choirs, Iowa, 2013
Na Mele Wai school workshops at Monroe Elementary School (Des Moines, IA), Central Elementary School (Nevada, IA), and United Community School (Boone, IA), 2013
Local World Music Showcase, The Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, 2013
Uke Fest 2012, Aster Cafe, Minneapolis, 2012
Wai Multimedia Collaboration with Hamline University’s Center for Global Environmental Education, St. Paul, 2012
Lake Harriet Bandshell, Minneapolis Music in the Parks Series, 2011-12
Music on Summit Avenue Concert Series, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church on-the-hill, St. Paul, 2011-12
Music in the Garden Series, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, 2012
Minnesota Guitar Society Local Artist Series, Woodbury, 2012
Schubert Club United Hospital Concert Series, St. Paul, 2012
The Coffee Grounds, St. Paul, 2012
Riverview Cafe, Minneapolis, 2012
Black Dog Cafe, St. Paul, 2011-12

For upcoming performances, please visit Kim Sueoka’s Calendar.

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Click here for the most current Lau Hawaiian Collective News

To learn more about our 2013 Community Outreach Project, or to make a tax-deductable donation to the project, please visit givemn.razoo.com/story/Lau-Hawaiian-Collective

To find out more about LHC’s educational programs through COMPAS, please follow these links to our Artist Profile and the program description for Na Mele Wai: Hawaiian Fresh Water Songs.
Additional information is available at compas.org, or by calling COMPAS at (651) 292-3249.

Wai: Hawaiian Fresh Water Songs Album Preview (with slide show)*

Video: Koni au i ka wai, (King Kalakaua) recorded at Creekhouse, Minneapolis*

Press Kit:

• Wai Album Liner Notes (this document is in progress: last update 6/26/2012)
• Performer Bios
• Photo 1, color
• Photo 1, black and white
• Photo 2, color
• Photo 2, black and white