Top hit songwriters from around the country to gather at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel June 11, 12, and 13 for the Hawai’i Songwriting Festival.
Hawaii’s music community will have an opportunity to work one-on-one with songwriters who have written hits for mega-stars such as:
Will.i.Am, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Jimmy Buffett, Bonnie Raitt, Colbie Caillat, Etta James, Christina Aguilera, George Strait, Meghan Trainor, LeAnn Rimes, Train, Britney Spears, The Gipsy Kings, Chris Brown, Florida Georgia Line, Chicago, Backstreet Boys, Rascal Flatts, Nickel Creek, Toad the Wet Sprocket… and many more.
Festival attendees will spend three intensive days and evenings learning from the best in the business: songwriters, music supervisors for film and TV, music publishers, music attorneys, and more. Small workshops, panel discussions, open mic performances, and speed mentoring sessions will provide attendees with information and networking opportunities needed in order to succeed in the craft and in the business of writing songs.
The festival culminates in two public concerts at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel’s Ballroom at 7:00pm. The “Island Night” concert on June 12 features John Cruz, Henry Kapono, Nathan Aweau, John Keawe, Kimie, Kainani Kahaunaele, and others. The “Hit Makers” concert on June 13 features a roster of hit songwriters who will be performing and sharing the stories about their hit songs. This concert is a unique look at the behind-the-scenes music creators.
This festival is presented by the non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization “The Kaua’i Music Festival”. The festival has been held annually on Kaua’i for the past 12 years, and this year, for the first time, the festival is being held on the Big Island and re-branded as the “The Hawai’i Songwriting Festival”. During the past 12 years this festival has garnered a reputation as one of the best of its kind in the U.S., and as a result, it attracts the top hit songwriters, publishers, and music supervisors for film and TV. The festival is made possible by the County of Hawai’i Department of Research and Development, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, and the Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism, Creative Industries Division, State of Hawai’i, as well as local sponsors and donors.