POP-UP PERFORMANCE: Tanama Colibri

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Click for 5-minute project film
In May 2023, Wailuku-based singer, songwriter, author and poet Tanama Colibri performed a public pop-up performance featuring original songs inspired by both Kahoʻolawe and Wailuku at the Kalana O Maui Building Front Lawn. Grounded in ‘Ōlelo No‘eau: He poʻo ulu ko na mea kanu (Plants have heads that grow again. An assurance that if you break off the top of a plant, it will put forth a new one), Colibri’s music and lyrics were developed through a 4-day volunteer access with the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission, recorded consultations with community members, and an interactive workshop with the sixth grade class of ʻĪao Intermediate School. Resulting songs included Aki Aki, We Are For The Future, Kaho’olawe, Blessed ‘Īao, and Kaho’olawe Anthem. The event opened with a pule by Uncle Bill Garcia of Hālau Nā Hanona Kūlike O Piʻilani and included collaborative performances with 15 sixth-grade ʻĪao students and three teachers from King Kekaulike High School.​
Photos of 4/17 ʻĪao Intermediate School workshop + April volunteer Kahoʻolawe access + May 11 pop-up performance by Matt Pierce

Project Timeline

  • 7/12/23: Project film is released via eNewsletter: "Kahoʻolawe & Wailuku Project Film Drop + Call For Artists Countdown"
  • 5/11/23: Pop-up performance at Kalana O Maui, County Building Front Lawn, in Wailuku at 200 S. High Street 
  • 5/10/23: KAOI Radio Show with Cindy Paulos promoting artist Tanama Colibri (Listen)
  • 5/10/23: "Free performance by Wailuku musician, spoken word artist Tanama Colibri May 11"​ (Maui Now)
  • 5/9/23: Community consultations with Kylee Mar, Protect Kahoʻolawe ʻOhana
  • 5/9/23: Tanama to confirm ‘Ōlelo No‘eau, selected in partnership with Sissy Lake-Farm and community
  • 5/9/23: Press release #2 distributed to invite the public to May 11 Pop-Up Performance! 
  • 4/27/23: Community consultations with retired KIRC Administrative Officer Kaʻonohi Lee and Tanya Lee-Greig, Principal Investigator, Partner at ʻĀina Archaeology
  • 4/21/23: Tanama participates in 4-day volunteer access of the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve, in partnership with the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission
  • 4/18/23: "Tanama Colibri at elementary school" (KITV Island News)
  • 4/18/23: "Artist of Small Town * Big Art creates Wailuku inspired music with ʻĪao Intermediate School" (Maui Now)
  • 4/17/23: Tanama workshops Wailuku musical compositions with ʻĪao Intermediate School's 6th grade classes, in partnership with Donelle Sakuma
  • 4/4/23: ‘Ōlelo No‘eau meeting with Sissy Lake-Farm of Hale Hō‘ike‘ike at the Bailey House/ Maui Historical Society (WATCH)
  • 3/23/23: Artist orientation meeting
  • 3/16/23: Tanama's proposal is selected by Maui Public Art Corps/ SMALL TOWN * BIG ART. The team commissions Tanama to create a 20-30 minute set of original music that is steeped in the history, culture and sense of place of A) Kahoʻolawe and B) Wailuku, to be performed live in Wailuku Town in May 2023. 
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‘Ōlelo No‘eau Meeting with Sissy Lake-Farm (4/4/23)
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Kaʻonohi Lee and Tanya Lee-Greig (4/28/23)