Kona HI-PAL Music Showcase

Hawai‘i Island keiki age 5 to 18 are encouraged to sign up for the first-ever HI-PAL Youth Music Showcase that will take place on Saturday, August 9, 2025 in Kona. This free musical showcase is offered by Hawai‘i Police Department’s Kona HI-PAL/Community Policing Section in collaboration with Grammy-nominated local musician “LT Smooth”, the Hearo Foundation, Inc., and the University of the Nations.

The event starts at 4:30 p.m. on August 9, at the Ohana Court on the University of the Nations campus, 75-5851 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona.

LT Smooth and his band will provide live music for the participants, allowing them to perform with a live band rather than a pre-recorded track.

Winners of the showcase will receive the incredible opportunity to record a single and receive a custom-made ukulele provided by the Hearo Foundation, Inc.

“We are really excited to organize and offer this one-of-a-kind event for our island keiki, said Kona Community Policing Officer Leonard Warren. “We encourage kids across Hawai‘i Island to sign up. It’s an exciting opportunity for them to showcase their musical talent and possibly take the first step toward launching their music career!”

How to Participate:

Keiki can enter the showcase as a duet, group, band, or individual. Duets, groups, and bands will compete in their own category, while the individual category will be divided by age:

• 5-8 years old
• 9-12 years old
• 13-15 years old
• 16-18 years old

Sign-Up Details:

• Sign-ups are on a first-come, first-served basis.
• There will be a maximum of 25 performances (5 per category), so sign up early!
• Each performance is limited to three minutes.
• Deadline for sign-ups is July 1, 2025.

To sign up and receive the HI-PAL release/waiver form, contact Officer Leonard Warren at leonard.warren@hawaiicounty.gov. When signing up, please submit the song you plan to perform. Afterward, HPD and HI-PAL will arrange a rehearsal with LT Smooth.

The Kona Community Policing Section is currently seeking judges for this event. Local musicians willing to volunteer their time for this event are encouraged to contact Officer Leonard Warren.