Opera Aloha celebrates the intersection of operatic artistry and Hawai‘i’s diverse musical traditions, bridging cultures and uniting communities through the transformative power of music. Since its founding in 2023, Opera Aloha has partnered with leading venues and institutions including Kahilu Theatre and the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Performing Arts Center on Hawai‘i Island, as well as performances in Honolulu at the Sheraton Waikīkī. Now entering its 4th season, Opera Aloha is proud to return in 2026 with an expanded multi-island tour, including new partnerships on Kaua‘i with the Kaua‘i Chamber Music Series and on Maui with the University of Hawai‘i Maui College’s Institute of Hawaiian Music.
Opera Aloha brings together global operatic voices and the many cultural influences that shape Hawai‘i, including Native Hawaiian, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, Samoan, Māori, Filipino, Korean, and Spanish traditions, to name a few. The 2026 tour features Chinese-Māori bass Morgan Andrew King, American tenor Christopher Oglesby, and Samoan soprano Aivale Cole, artists who share extraordinary vocal artistry as well as personal cultural connections that inform their work. From the legacy of Queen Liliʻuokalani’s music to Honolulu City Lights by Keola Beamer, alongside operatic masterworks by Puccini and Verdi, Opera Aloha invites audiences to experience familiar stories and new perspectives through a shared musical language.
Each year, Opera Aloha continues to grow in both reach and impact through public performances, educational outreach, and community engagement. The program creates meaningful access to live opera for students, families, and underserved audiences who might not otherwise encounter this art form at such a high level.
In 2025 alone, Opera Aloha reached more than 2,000 individuals, including over 750 students through school visits and youth education programs at institutions such as Punahou School in Honolulu, Hawai‘i Youth Opera Chorus, and Kahilu Theatre’s Youth and Schools Program on Hawai‘i Island, as well as more than 1,250 community members through live performances. Through these efforts, Opera Aloha seeks to inspire young audiences, strengthen cultural understanding, and celebrate the power of music to uplift and connect communities across the Pacific.
