The theater lights dim, a drumbeat ripples through your headphones and the IMAX-style screen bursts to life with stunning footage that takes you from the slopes of Haleakalā to the depths of the Pacific Ocean. Live musicians and dancers blur the line between stage and screen in a fusion of Hawaiian tradition and modern technology.
“Mele: The Hawaiian Music Experience” debuted at the Maui Ocean Center’s Sphere Theater on July 1, 2025. The multimedia show stars two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning musicians: local legends Eric Gilliom on vocals and guitar and Vince Esquire on ʻukulele. They’re joined by dancers Sanoe Elf, Kehulali Douglas and Gerilyn Hewahewa, who shift between authentic Hawaiian hula and playfulness, depending on the number.
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While the ladies bring energy, impressive quick-changes and variety to the stage, Gilliom and Esquire are the heart of the show. Gilliom is known for his one-man show, “White Hawaiian,” and for collaborating with the late Willie K in the award-winning musical duo Barefoot Natives. Esquire is the lead ʻukulele player for local band Kanekoa and has also played guitar with artists such as the Allman Brothers, Aerosmith and Willie Nelson. Both are revered in Hawaiʻi’s entertainment industry, and with such major talent at the helm, audiences can expect an unforgettable evening.
he multimedia show stars two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning musicians: local legends Eric Gilliom on vocals and guitar and Vince Esquire on ʻukulele.
Photo: Coutesy of Maui Ocean Center
The experience begins not in the Sphere, but at Seascape, the aquarium’s on-site restaurant, where guests are welcomed with a complimentary buffet of light bites—think chips and guacamole, ʻahi poke, crispy wontons and egg rolls—plus alcoholic drinks available for purchase. Live music fills the otherwise-closed restaurant, creating an intimate atmosphere, like a space reserved just for you. From the dining room, views stretch across Māʻalaea Harbor to the famous Freight Train surf break, which has been referred to as the fastest wave in the world.
After 45 minutes of snacking and socializing, the group of guests is escorted across the aquarium grounds to the Sphere Theater, where they’re handed headphones and asked to find a seat. The domed screen curves from floor to ceiling, and at its base is a simple stage with two platforms adorned by lau hala mats, kapa cloth, tropical vines and canoe paddles.
Across 15 songs, the audience is taken on a journey through Hawaiʻi, blending history, Gilliom’s personal connection to the Islands, and interactive moments with the audience. The set list includes covers of classics like Don Ho’s “Tiny Bubbles” and Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s beloved rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as well as Gilliom’s self-penned pieces and reworks of songs like “Surf” by the Kaʻau Crater Boys. A standout for me is a newly recorded version of “Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,” featuring vocals by the children of those who sang on the original track for Disney’s 2002 “Lilo & Stitch.”
Across 15 songs, the audience is taken on a journey through Hawaiʻi.
Photo: Courtesy of Maui Ocean Center
The screen creates a sensation of being immersed in the imagery rather than just watching it. Visuals range from sweeping, cinematic landscapes to experimental AI imagery—a choice that may feel jarring for those unprepared for or uncomfortable with the use of AI in artistic spaces. Still, it’s possible this aspect of the show will evolve alongside the technology it embraces.
One sequence that especially resonated was the lighthearted tribute to Lahaina Town, much of which was destroyed in the August 2023 fire. Set to Loggins and Messina’s “Lahaina” and accompanied by digitized artwork by longtime Front Street artist Jim Kingwell, the visuals transport the audience back to the seaside town’s vibrant days. As someone born and raised in Lahaina, I found this moment especially touching—a nostalgic celebration of a place I still hold dear.
Ultimately, “Mele: The Hawaiian Music Experience” succeeds in offering something Maui hasn’t seen before: the merging of Hawaiian music and dance with cutting-edge technology. The combination of legendary local talent, heartfelt moments and the Sphere’s striking visuals make for a distinctive night out, especially for those curious to see how tradition and innovation can share the same stage.
“Mele: The Hawaiian Music Experience” runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 5-7:15 p.m. General admission is $97.95 per person; kamaʻāina receive 30% off with valid ID.
192 Māʻalaea Road, Wailuku, 808-270-7000, mauioceancenter.com/mele-the-hawaiian-music-experience.
Ashley Probst is a contributor to HAWAIʻI Magazine.
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