A rich musical soundtrack plays through Hawaii’s history, and Kuuipo Kumukahi wants to make sure that clients hear it. As manager of Hawaiian culture at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, Kumukahi has spearheaded partnerships with island organizations
so that visitors can experience and learn about Hawaii’s composers and entertainers and their legacy.
One of Kumukahi’s pet projects is the Hawaiian Music and Dance Hall of Fame Historical Exhibit, which debuted last fall. Free and open to the public on Hyatt Waikiki’s second floor, the attraction features large-scale displays with images and information
about Hawaiian music then and now. At the same time, it honors such notable island talents as Auntie Genoa Keawe and Alfred Apaka.
“The people in this exhibit were the keepers of the flame from ancient to modern times,” said Kumukahi, an award-winning musician and songwriter in her own right. “Many of them spoke Hawaiian and used our language in their compositions.”
Another recent Hyatt Waikiki initiative takes place across the street from the hotel on the Kuhio Beach hula mound. There, clients can enjoy Waikiki by Moonlight, a series of free, monthly music and dance performances by Hawaii stars. Launched in January
2018, the one-hour shows by the sea celebrate different Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame (HMHOF) inductees.
I want our hotel to be more than just a place to sleep. Our mission has always been to give back to the community and share what makes our home and culture special.
Upcoming dates include May 26, June 30 and July 24. Among Hyatt’s partners in the concerts are HMHOF, Hawaiian Music Walk of Fame and Waikiki Improvement Association.
As part of her commitment to teaching visitors about Waikiki’s past, Kumukahi leads people on complimentary, weekly walking tours in and around the hotel. Along the way, she offers insights into the history and heritage of the area. By connecting clients
to days-gone-by, she’s helping to keep the stories — and the music — relevant in the present.
Kuuipo Kumukahi is the manager of Hawaiian culture at Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa.
Credit: 2018 Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa“I want our hotel to be more than just a place to sleep,” Kumukahi said. “Our mission has always been to give back to the community and share what makes our home and culture special.”
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Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa
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