Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame Koa Exhibit Panels

When we were initiating the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame in 1994, it was my suggestion that since we had neither a "hall" nor any honorees, it would be well for us to have some display panels constructed to be used for exhibits that would constitute a "portable hall of fame" that could be placed at various locations for the introduction of our organization to the community. The Board adopted the suggestion and approved my design for the display panels which we contracted to have fabricated by Martin & MacArthur.

A committee consisting of Irmgard Aluli, Haunani Apoliona, Nina Keali`iwahamana Rapozo, Mahiai Beamer, Aaron Mahi, Harry B. Soria, Jr. and Kahauanu Lake, Chairman, was appointed to recommend ten initial *inductees for whom biographical information and photographs could be presented in the exhibits.

Eileen Lota chaired a committee to organize a reception to be held at Washington Place on September 6, 1995 to which many members of the Hawaiian music community were invited. The panels were exhibited at the reception and information concerning membership in the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame was provided. Our organization was well received by our guests, and the exhibits have since been displayed at many locations on Oahu.

In subsequent years additional koa panels were fabricated and utilized for the presentation of our annual inductees. These original koa panels will eventually supplement wall-mounted exhibits for the presentation of our honorees when we are so fortunate as to secure a "hall." Presently they are on a shared display in the lobby of the Paliku Theater, Windward Community College, and the Lyman Museum in Hilo.

*Kealumoku, Henri Berger, Charles E. King, Joseph Kekuku, Helen Desha Beamer, Lena Machado, Victoria Ii Rodrigues, Mary Kawena Pukui, Alfred Apaka and Sol K. Bright.