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 Haleakal\u0101 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cMele: The Hawaiian Music Experience\u201d debuted at the Maui Ocean Center\u2019s Sphere Theater on July 1, 2025. The multimedia show stars two N\u0101 H\u014dk\u016b Hanohano Award-winning musicians: local legends Eric Gilliom on vocals and guitar and Vince Esquire on \u02bbukulele<\/em>. They\u2019re joined by dancers Sanoe Elf, Kehulali Douglas and Gerilyn Hewahewa, who shift between authentic Hawaiian hula<\/em> and playfulness, depending on the number.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Maui Ocean Center Isn\u2019t Your Everyday Aquarium<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n 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, \u201cWhite Hawaiian,\u201d and for collaborating with the late Willie K in the award-winning musical duo Barefoot Natives. Esquire is the lead \u02bbukulele 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 Hawai\u02bbi\u2019s entertainment industry, and with such major talent at the helm, audiences can expect an unforgettable evening.<\/p>\n he multimedia show stars two N\u0101 H\u014dk\u016b Hanohano Award-winning musicians: local legends Eric Gilliom on vocals and guitar and Vince Esquire on \u02bbukulele. The experience begins not in the Sphere, but at Seascape, the aquarium\u2019s on-site restaurant, where guests are welcomed with a complimentary buffet of light bites\u2014think chips and guacamole, \u02bbahi<\/em> poke, crispy wontons and egg rolls\u2014plus 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 M\u0101\u02bbalaea Harbor to the famous Freight Train surf break, which has been referred to as the fastest wave in the world.<\/p>\n After 45 minutes of snacking and socializing, the group of guests is escorted across the aquarium grounds to the Sphere Theater, where they\u2019re 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 <\/em>mats, kapa <\/em>cloth, tropical vines and canoe paddles.<\/p>\n Across 15 songs, the audience is taken on a journey through Hawai\u02bbi, blending history, Gilliom\u2019s personal connection to the Islands, and interactive moments with the audience. The set list includes covers of classics like Don Ho\u2019s \u201cTiny Bubbles\u201d and Israel Kamakawiwo\u02bbole\u2019s beloved rendition of \u201cSomewhere Over the Rainbow\u201d as well as Gilliom\u2019s self-penned pieces and reworks of songs like \u201cSurf\u201d by the Ka\u02bbau Crater Boys. A standout for me is a newly recorded version of \u201cHawaiian Roller Coaster Ride,\u201d featuring vocals by the children of those who sang on the original track for Disney\u2019s 2002 \u201cLilo & Stitch.\u201d<\/p>\n Across 15 songs, the audience is taken on a journey through Hawai\u02bbi. 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\u2014a choice that may feel jarring for those unprepared for or uncomfortable with the use of AI in artistic spaces. <\/span><\/span>Still, it\u2019s possible this aspect of the show will evolve alongside the technology it embraces.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n 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\u2019s \u201cLahaina\u201d and accompanied by digitized artwork by longtime Front Street artist Jim Kingwell, the visuals transport the audience back to the seaside town\u2019s vibrant days. As someone born and raised in Lahaina, I found this moment especially touching\u2014a nostalgic celebration of a place I still hold dear.<\/p>\n Ultimately, \u201cMele: The Hawaiian Music Experience\u201d succeeds in offering something Maui hasn\u2019t seen before: the merging of Hawaiian music and dance with cutting-edge technology. The combination of legendary local talent, heartfelt moments and the Sphere\u2019s striking visuals make for a distinctive night out, especially for those curious to see how tradition and innovation can share the same stage.<\/p>\n \u201c<\/em><\/span>Mele: The Hawaiian Music Experience\u201d runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 5-7:15 p.m. General admission is $97.95 per person; kama\u02bb\u0101ina receive 30% off with valid ID.<\/em><\/p>\n 192 M\u0101\u02bbalaea Road, Wailuku, 808-270-7000, <\/em>mauioceancenter.com\/mele-the-hawaiian-music-experience<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n Ashley Probst<\/a><\/strong>\u00a0is a contributor to HAWAI\u02bbI Magazine.<\/em>\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Photo: Coutesy of Maui Ocean Center<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Mele](\"https:\/\/www.hawaiimagazine.com\/content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/d\/b\/mele-moc-3-1024x683.png\")
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Photo: Courtesy of Maui Ocean Center<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n