Aaron Mahi

Hawai‘i Council for the Humanities Pavilion
Sunday May 6, 11:00 a.m.
Performing in The Royal Composers event with Eddie Kamae and Ku‘uipo Kumukahi. This event will showcase the musical contributions of the “four heavenly ones,” of Hawaiian royalty, such as Nā Lani ‘Ehā and David La‘amea Kalākaua who wrote the lyrics for Hawai‘i Pono‘i with music composed by His Majesty’s Band (later known as the Royal Hawaiian Band).

Aaron David Mahi is a conductor, performer, and lecturer on orchestral, choral, and Hawaiian classical music. He has been the Bandmaster of the Royal Hawaiian Band, and holds leadership positions with the Honolulu Symphony Pops Orchestra, the Hawaiʻi Ecumenical Chorale, and the Kamehameha Alumni Glee Club. He led the Royal Hawaiian Band in its first concert at Carnegie Hall (1988), and at the Peace Park in Hiroshima (1989). He also featured the Honolulu Symphonyʼs debut at the Hollywood Bowl with slack-key artists Dennis Kamakahi, George Kuo, and David Kamakahi. Mahi was honored in 2003 with the German Medal of Merit from the Republic of Germany, the BundesverdienstKruez, for his work in fostering German culture outside of Germany. He is associated with Waihona Mele Noʻeau, the selection committee for the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, the Honolulu Symphony Society and the Friends of the Royal Hawaiian Band. Mahi performs regularly with slack key artists George Kuo and Martin Pahinui at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa.