A group of art advocates gathered Sunday afternoon at the Fuego Argentinean Steakhouse within the Dunes at Maui Lani to discuss ways to perpetuate the arts on Maui. Photo courtesy Wave of Harmony

On a breezy Sunday on Maui, over 30 art advocates, teachers, costume designers, performers and more gathered at the Fuego Argentinean Steakhouse Restaurant at the Dunes at Maui Lani to discuss how they may best collaborate to ensure Maui’s art and theater scene thrives for future generations.

In attendance were representatives from Baldwin Theatre Guild, King Kekaulike Drama, Theatre Theatre Maui, ProArts Playhouse, Maui OnStage, Maui OnStage Education & Youth, Alexander Academy of Performing Arts, Lahaina Music, Evolution Dance Academy, Maui Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, Maui Pops, Maui Prep Performing Arts, Low Gravity, Circus Lolo, Roots School, The Sewing Hui, Maui School of Strings, Seabury Performing Arts, Keiki Kupuna and more.

Spearheaded by Maui’s Wave of Harmony Foundation, Vania Jerome with Lahaina Music said she felt the experience was much needed.

“I felt very hopeful from the gathering,” she said. “It was both a little sad but reassuring to know there were other people that had similar challenges but also similar hopes for what we want for this island.”

She said the group networking endeavor gave her some support.

“It helped us to feel not so alone and, maybe, this is something that is achievable,” she said.

With Maui being so spread out, she said she sees a lot of opportunity to build up art-related activities and services in all areas on the island. And ever since the fire, that need has grown increasingly more important.

“After the fires, there were so many people that I’ve talked to that have said they still haven’t come over because they have such a hard time and that they don’t know what to expect and it’s hard for them to see the west side looking that way,” she said.

Lahaina Music, now located in Kaanapali Shores, was previously in Lahaina and had to relocate after being destroyed in the tragic Aug. 8, 2023, wildfire.

Jerome said they currently have an offsite storage location where they store their instruments for community-related classes, and that they have been working with The Kanikapila Project, which provides music and music education to the Maui community.

She said her husband was in the shelters at the Royal Lahaina and Hyatt resorts after the fire, teaching ukulele and trying to spread some joy during the time of need.

As part of the project, they raised funds to purchase ukuleles and were able to give out 500 ukuleles.The rotary clubs, locally and over the world, have also been supportive, she said.

She said giving back is what kept her going during the past year.

“It was being able to help other people because it’s absolutely devastating and demoralizing to feel like there’s nothing you can do,” she said.

Jerome said she enjoyed collaborating with fellow artisans and seeing how they can uplift each other.

“Living on an island, I’m not interested in reinventing the wheel or creating competitions for something else, but if something already exists or if someone has something they’ve been thinking about creating, then I want to help,” she said.

Genie Hokulani Calagna, performing arts director at the Roots School in Haiku, said she also enjoyed gathering with like-minded art education supporters on the island.

“I thought it was a wonderful meeting of creative minds, and the comradery and desire to help one another in any way that we can felt very palpable and potent,” she said.

Calagna said she made great connections and that one need she heard from attendees was a desire for a space for the children and local artisans to practice and/or perform.

“I think connecting more is going to naturally remind us of the greater resources available in our community,” she said.

Calagna said they’ve been working with a local playwright and developing themes to promote the children’s education. This year’s theme for the younger students is centered around teamwork and working together.

“Our play is called the ‘Acorn Festival,’ and it’s about city squirrels and country chipmunks coming together to figure out how to defeat the foxes that are trying to steal all their acorns,” she said.

Other grade levels will be performing the Cyclops’ Gate at ProArts Playhouse in May. The theme is centered around being more alike than different, and promotes open-mindedness and curiosity.