Honolulu, HI – Lōkahi: The Ukulele Collective (Lōkahi) — in partnership with three-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artist, Paula Fuga, and two-time Grammy-nominated artist and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winner, Jack Johnson — is bringing the power of music and songwriting to classrooms across Hawaiʻi. With support from local artists, teachers and students, its Ho’olōkahi Lyrics Writing Challenge is reigniting music education in schools and fostering unity through creativity.
The Hoʻolōkahi Lyrics Writing Challenge, hosted by Lōkahi, aims to seed high-quality music programs in public, charter and private schools across Hawaiʻi. This year’s theme, “Unity through Music,” highlights the collaborative spirit of the initiative, connecting 28 schools across four islands (Oahu, Maui, Kaua’i and Hawai’i). More than 800 elementary through high school students are participating in this exciting interdisciplinary effort and integrating music and writing in meaningful ways.
The challenge wraps up on March 15. The winning classroom will receive a visit from Fuga, who will share her own songwriting process and perform with students. Student entries will be featured in a video showcase, celebrating their incredible talent and hard work. Plans are also underway for an in-person Ho’olōkahi Play Along event this spring, bringing students and musicians together for a collective celebration of music.
“I love being a part of Lōkahi where we get to encourage and support teachers who are passionate about having more opportunities for music within the classroom. I’m so excited to see what these amazing students come up with for the Hoʻolokahi Lyrics Writing Challenge!” said Paula Fuga. ”I hope it inspires them to write more songs together and instills the belief that they can achieve anything they set their hearts and minds on.”
Jack Johnson, Co-Founder of the Johnson ʻOhana Foundation, has long been a passionate advocate for performing arts, supporting music and arts organizations in Hawaiʻi and around the world. Jack is lending his voice to motivate students participating in the challenge. His inspiring advice for students encourages them to find creativity through their connection to the environment.
”Writing a song is an empowering process for anyone. I’m excited to hear these keiki reflect on the world around them and put it into a melody,” said Jack Johnson.
Other local artists who are inspiring students across Hawaiʻi include Kapono Wong and Abe Lagrimas Jr., who both also shared messages about their own journey as songwriters.
“This exciting partnership reflects our commitment to providing students with a well-rounded education that nurtures both academic and creative growth,” said Keith Hayashi, superintendent of Hawai‘i public schools. “Engaging in music and the arts offers students a powerful outlet for self-expression while also building essential cognitive skills such as memory, attention span, and logical reasoning. Mahalo to Lōkahi for their incredible dedication to supporting our public schools.”
Sponsored by Servco Pacific Inc. (Servco) and in partnership with the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, Lōkahi is committed to expanding access to music education statewide. It plans to continue building partnerships with local artists and organizations, ensuring every student in Hawaiʻi has the opportunity to learn, play and create music in school.
“Paula and Jack jumped at the opportunity to support the Ho’olōkahi Lyrics Writing Challenge,” said Mark Fukunaga, Executive Chairman at Servco. “Their passion and expertise have already inspired students to pen their own lyrics and hone their writing skills through a musical lens.”
Interested schools can register for the Ho’olōkahi Lyrics Writing Challenge before March 14 at https://lokahi.podia.com/hoochallengelandingpage. To learn more about Lōkahi: The Ukulele Collective, please visit lokahi.podia.com, email play@theukulelecollective.com or follow @lokahiukulele on Instagram.
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About Lōkahi: The Ukulele Collective
Lōkahi: The Ukulele Collective is a non-profit effort bringing together passionate individuals from schools, the music industry, nonprofits, and the broader community to transform music education. Lōkahi gives all students, no matter their circumstances, access to a high-quality music education rooted in cultural identity.
About the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education
The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education’s Fine Arts Program provides a comprehensive arts education in visual arts, media arts, music, theater, and dance. Through engaging curricula and enriching opportunities students explore their talents, deepen their appreciation for the arts, and connect with Hawaii’s rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions. The Fine Arts Program develops critical thinking, collaboration, self-expression and problem-solving skills in students.
About Paula Fuga
Acclaimed for her originality in song composition and spellbinding, soulful vocals, Paula Fuga is one of Hawaii’s top female musicians in generations. A poet at heart and an accomplished ukulele player under Master Instructor, Roy Sakuma, she has intertwined her passions into award-winning songwriting. Her debut album, Lilikoi lauded the prestigious Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for ‘Most Promising Artist.’ Since the release of her EP Misery’s End, which featured guest appearances by Ziggy Marley and Jack Johnson, Fuga has headlined the global music circuit and performed on the stages of Madison Square Garden, The Sydney Opera House Forecourt and is a three-time return guest artist to The White House. Today, with a global fanbase and thriving music career, Fuga’s music is dedicated to inspiring positive social change – rooted in perseverance and hope. She is fiercely committed to permeating the world with the evocative voice of the Hawaiian people.
About Jack Johnson
Jack Johnson grew up surfing and playing guitar in Hawaii. Since 2001, he has released eight studio albums and two live albums that have sold over 25 million copies worldwide. His Brushfire Records label and touring crew have been leaders in the greening of the music industry and his All At Once social action network connects fans with local non-profits at each tour stop. Jack, with his wife Kim, founded the Kokua Hawaii Foundation to support environmental education in Hawaii’s schools and communities, as well as the Johnson Ohana Foundation to support environmental, art and music education worldwide. Proceeds from these albums and tour profits, along with Johnson’s personal charitable activities, have resulted in over $37 million donated to charity since 2001.