ABOUT
What is the SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest?
The SPARX Hawai‘i Music Contest is an educational outreach component of the ‘Aha Lamakū ‘Oia‘i‘o (ALO) federal grant (Project No. S362A210096) administered by the Pacific Literacy Consortium, College of Education, University of Hawaii at Mānoa. The ALO project targets supplemental educational support to secondary students in four schools in Hawai‘i Island’s Ka‘ū-Kea‘au-Pāhoa Complex Area (KKP).
It is accessible to any qualifying student musician from any of the 4 KKP Complex Area schools, who records a video of themselves performing a song, and then uploads it to their school’s Google Classroom by the deadline (Feb 1, 2023).
There will be a preliminary round held within each of the 4 schools. From all the video entries, the school will pick 4 finalists that make it to the final round. The idea behind this is that students and teachers will enjoy a shared sense of community by participating in the contest together, and then watching video entries of other finalists from the KKP area.
Our ultimate hope is that the contest will spark interest in those dabbling in music, and that through the contest, we as a community can help kindle the small sparks that could potentially become a burning passion to pursue music as a viable career path.
Extra aloha to all the music teachers, mentors and supporters in the KKP area. You inspire us by keeping our rich musical heritage on Moku ‘o Keawe alive, passing it on to one student at a time.
What is SPARX Hawai‘i?
SPARX Hawai‘i was created to uplift the students in the KKP Complex Area schools, to encourage them to follow their passion and create their own path in life.
Our program puts on outreaches in specialties such as music, cooking, etc. to create life changing experiences for students. We tell stories of others who have found their own path. We partner with DOE schools, ʻAha Lamakū ʻOiaʻiʻo (ALO) mentoring program, HISessions and 9th Ave Studio to provide resources, inspiration and support. We seek to make a difference in student’s lives.
What is HISessions?
HISessions is a YouTube channel and TV show. It was a project started in 2011 by Dave Kusumoto and Jon Yamasato intended to provide intimate, quality live music performances in Hawai‘i, broadcast to the world. HI*Sessions music videos are also shown on Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Tourism Japan, restaurants, Costco, you name it. HISessions is partnering with SPARX Hawai‘i to produce this unique local music contest and opportunity exclusive to KKP students, faculty and staff.
What is the Pacific Literacy Consortium?
The Pacific Literacy Consortium (PLC) is an education and outreach program of the College of Education, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. PLC exists to build and align a network of strategic partnerships that foster developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative and evidence-based educational approaches designed to improve the academic outcomes and life chances of Hawaiʻi's children and youth.
The federally funded ʻAha Lamakū ʻOiaʻiʻo (ALO) grant is one of PLC’s projects designed to provide culturally-responsive leadership development, mentoring, and transition supports to Native Hawaiian youth. ALO student activities offer experiential and place-based experiences that complement what students learn during the school day and address students’ essential academic, physical wellness, and social-emotional needs.
