Vespers on the Lānai

Vespers on the Lānai is a casual event which combines great music with an opportunity for spiritual reflection. We host great local bands and intersperse the music with readings and poetry: a chance to think and connect. We explore a variety of musical genres and think broadly so those of any religious tradition or no religious tradition should feel comfortable. Vespers events are typically on the second Friday of certain months from 7-8pm HST, so check back on this page for updates about what's coming up! The event is free and open to the public.

OUR IN-PERSON AUDIENCE PROTOCOL:

• While masks are optional, if you feel unwell please wear one. Let's all be mindful of our neighbors' wellbeing (and that of others they'll come in contact with later).
• Picnics are welcome, both indoors and outdoors.
• While we will not limit the audience size, we encourage leaving space between separate parties both indoors and outdoors, if possible.
• Please bring a lawn chair or blanket for outdoor seating.
• If rain moves us indoors, we can seat some indoors with the remainder on the lānai (which is covered but narrow) and lawn. So please be patient and understanding should that occur, and be prepared for foul weather if you end up on the edge of the lānai or on the lawn.

ONLINE VIEWERS: we will continue to livestream Vespers online from 7-8pm; just click on the live video on which will appear just before or at 7pm. PLEASE NOTE: Since we have been having trouble with Facebook, We have transitioned to streaming to Youtube. Click the link here and the "live" video tab - we'll go live a few minutes before 7pm.

We hope to still be able to share the stream to our main CCU FB page (www.facebook.com/christchurchuniting), but wanted to share this direct link just in case. If we run in to difficulty with the livestream we will record the event and upload the video on our website as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!

To watch later (along with all our previous Vespers on the Lanai videos), click on the Past Vespers on the Lānai button below, or access our CCU YouTube Channel by clicking here. Catch up and enjoy them anytime!

To get the latest updates on our events, click here to join our email list so you can receive our Vespers announcements.

Join us for maoli roots music by the dynamic group Kupa'āina (Simple Island People) who describe themselves thus: "from roots deep in the 'āina to seeds newly planted by immigrants, Kupa'āina has a deep reverence for the land of Hawai'i and a global ancestral heritage...The genesis of Kupa'āina’s style lay in its common love for traditional Hawaiian music. This expanded into creative explorations into and inspirations from Polynesian, rock and roll, reggae, funk, Latin, ska, hip-hop and other influences. While eclectic, Kupa'āina's music remains rooted in the local experience, history and culture." More information at: www.kupaaina.com.

That's right! It's Oktoberfest time and we're bringing in the big brass to celebrate! Join us for our first collaboration with Chamber Music Hawai'i's resident professional ensembles, featuring the Honolulu Brass Quintet.

They'll be coming to us fresh from performing their "Beer, Brats & Beethoven" show at Blue Note Hawai'i the night before, so will be warmed up and ready to have some fun with us on the lānai. As CMH says, "Grab your lederhosen and join us for an evening of polkas, singalongs and more, including “Ein Prosit” and “Beer Barrel Polka.” This Beethoven inspired Oktoberfest will include the composer’s greatest hits arranged for Brass Quintet."

For more information on the Brass Quintet, please visit: www.chambermusichawaii.org/honolulu-brass-quintet.

We'll be featuring another of their ensembles again in 2025. We'll tell you more about this collaboration soon, but in the meantime, visit www.chambermusichawaii.org to learn more about their community engagement, music, and educational programming. We're so thrilled to be supporting this wonderful organization and it's musicians!

Kailua's own Harry Koizumi was back at Vespers! As shared on his website, Harry’s musicality offers extraordinary range and depth: from his soothing Hawaiian slack key and steel guitar renditions, to the intricacies of classical guitar, to soulful rock ballads or the blistering riffs of classic rock, Harry’s fluid guitar playing and resonant voice seamlessly transports his listeners across cultures and styles. Watch his performance here.

You can now enjoy the video of our Friday April 12th Vespers, featuring Kailua's own Palapū Street Band musicians and Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio Alaka’i! Be immersed in meaningful and beautiful oli, mele and hula....and poetry! Click HERE to watch.

Kumu Ka’anohi (Hilary Ann Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Stephenson Aipa) founded Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio in 1980 and has served as a cultural practitioner in the Hawaii DOE Elementary School Hawaiian Studies programs, workshops, blessings, as well as teaching Hawaiian culture and traditions through hula, mele, oli, and ‘ōlelo in an environment of aloha, sharing, mutual respect and cooperation. Kumu Ka'anohi was born in Honolulu, raised in Kailua and at her Grandpa Stephenson’s country home next to Barber’s Point Lighthouse on O’ahu, and she and her husband Nathan Aipa reside in Kailua. Since birth, Ka’anohi was immersed in Hawaiian music, practices, and hula. Besides her family mentors, Ka’anohi had the privilege of learning hula and mele under Mama Caroline Tuck, Aunty Aloma Kadooka, Aunty Bella Richards, Aunty Edith Kanaka’ole, Aunty Irmgard Aluli, Kumu Kaha’i Topolinski and Kumu John Keola Lake over a span of almost 40 years. Kumu Ka'anohi was joined by Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio Alaka'i: Mahealani Akina, Ku’uleialoha Souza, Kaui Yokoi, Nohealani Zeffiro and Jenn Hirokawa.

The Palapū Street Band is an extended ‘Ohana of musicians that have shared their musical talents with Ka’anohiwaiānuenue Hula Studio as well as community and family events for many years. Palapū Street Band members included: Nathan and Ka’anohi Aipa, Kepa Stern, Tinky Gray, Mike Enos, Kale Bannister, Michael Downes, special guest Walt Keale, and Uncle George Kamalamalama (in loving memory).

Click below to view past recordings of Vespers on the Lānai events.