KAHULUI - University of Hawaii Maui College will hold a "Launch Celebration" on Friday, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., on its Kahului campus with entertainment, food by the culinary arts program, information tables and college tours.
The event celebrates the college's new name - UH-Maui College - and new programs, including the Institute of Hawaiian Music, an announcement said.
The director of the new institute, Grammy Award-winning George Kahumoku, has arranged for a concert of Hawaiian music on the Great Lawn of the campus. Those attending should bring blankets and chairs.
The lineup includes Sterling Seaton, a UH-MC student who has participated in three Grammy Award-winning CDs; Gabe Goebbert, an 18-year old graduate of Maui High School and four-time winner of the Hula Grill Ukulele Contest; and Kaulike Pescaia, an 11-year old ukulele and falsetto performer from Kamehameha Schools Maui and the overall winner of the 2010 Hula Grill Ukulele Contest.
Joining them will be four-time Grammy winner Ukulele Boyz; the Hula Honeys, 2011 Na Hoku award winners for Hawaiian jazz; Pekelo Cosma, Na Hoku winner; Lei'ohu Ryder, Hawai'i Music Awards female vocalist of the year; and Richard Ho'opi'i, the 1992 National Endowment of the Arts Folk Treasure.
They will be followed by Miss Aloha Hula 2011, Tori Hulali Canha; and Zenshin Daiko, a Maui-based youth taiko group.
At 6:15 p.m., there will be a short program thanking U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye and other college supporters for their roles in helping to develop the campus. Afterward, the Hard Rock Cafe will provide live music by Super Dub, a Maui-based roots, rock and reggae band.
The Hard Rock and the Soroptimist International of Maui will be sponsoring a silent auction to raise funds for student scholarships.
In addition to the music and hula, the college's Culinary Arts Academy will provide concessions, and the campus will be open for tours. Academic programs and student services will have information booths, and there will be a Nissan Leaf on display to publicize the college's upcoming electric vehicle project.
Children will be able to enjoy face painting and clowns.
Online: Launch Celebration, maui.hawaii.edu/events
