On Sunday, September 20, 2009, from 4:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Waikiki Beach Walk will celebrate the musical contributions of the musical legends who make up the 2008 inductees of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame with a special blessing and musical performances on the center’s outdoor Plaza Stage.

New panels that highlight the ten 2008 honorees will be unveiled in the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame exhibit, which is located along the mauka corridor of the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk that leads out to the open air plaza and stage. A special oli and blessing will be performed by Halau Mele, a gift to the late John Keola Lake, one of the 2008 honorees and founder of Halau Mele.

Here is an interview with Kumu Lake from 2007:

Following the blessing will be performances by two of the evening’s honorees. Taking the stage first will be Noelani Mahoe, Mona Teves and Ethelene Teves, three of the four original members of the Leo Nahenahe Singers. Next up will be singer, musician, composer and recording artist Palani Vaughan, Jr., with his support musicians The Kings Own. Joining them will be kumu hula Ka`ilihiwa Vaughan and Halau Hula Kalehua Tuahine.

The other 2008 Hall of Fame inductees being honored with the celebration are Joseph `Ae`a, Elizabeth Leilu`uhipolani `Alohikea, Alber Po`ai Nahale-a, Sr., Alice Johnson, Thomas Kihei Desha Brown, Anueha Audrey Brown and James Ka`upena Wong, Jr.

“This is going to be a very special afternoon,” said James M.K. “Kimo” Stone, Jr., president of the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. “Those of us who are here today have an important mission. It is up to us to honor those who have come before – the musicians, the composers, our kumu hula – to make sure the songs, music and dance of Hawaii are preserved for generations to come.”

The Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Showcase is free and open to the public. Valet parking for up to four hours is available for $6.00 at the Embassy Suites-Waikiki Beach Walk (201 Beachwalk) and the Wyndham Vacation Ownership-Waikiki Beach Walk (227 Lewers Street), with any same-day purchase from any Waikiki Beach Walk merchant.