Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas

We’re at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, in Honolulu, experiencing the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas—a special event combining science, art, culture, and the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. We talk with the producer and conductor as well as symphony composers, animation artists, a mele and hula composer and choreographer, a musician, and an attending high school teacher to explore this fabulous environmental symphony focused on the Hawaiʻi Seas.

Watch the 30-second trailer for Season 12, Episode 7 on Vimeo or on YouTube, or on Vimeo with English Subtitles.

Watch related episodes and explore other environmental symphonies: Saving the Kiwikiu Part 1 and Part 2 – and the Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds, Native Forests and the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Forests.

TV K5 Premiere: Sun Dec 7 | Sat Dec 13 @6pm!

Or watch the episode on YouTube!

This episode is also available to view and download with English Subtitles on Vimeo.

Voice of the Sea flyer for the Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas YouTube premiere on Thursday Dec 11, 2025 at 12pm HST

Curriculum Connections:

Grade 5: Marine Debris
- Activity: DIY Beeswax Wraps
- Activity: Recycled Art
Grades 6-12: Introduction to Waves
- Activity: Watching Waves
- Activity: Standing Waves
  - Art wrap around the science lab
- Traditional Ways of Knowing: Surfing in Hawaiʻi
Grades 6-12: Fish
- Activity: Draw a Fish
- Activity: Fish Printing for Form and Function
Grades 6-12: Plants and Algae
- Activity: Making Algae Presses
  - How to press seaweed for art
A.Q.U.A. Curriculum: Hawaiʻi Aquaculture through science, math, history, art
Science Buddies: Art Experiments for Science Class
The Art of Education: 8 Art Projects that Incorporate Science

Additional Resources:

Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas (Homepage)
- About
- The Team
- For Educators (keiki field guides)
  - Mele: I Ola Kanaloa, I Ola Kākou
  - Hula: 6-part Tutorial
- Art Contest & Exhibit
- UH News: Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas unites science, culture, art
Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra (Homepage)
- Symphony of the Hawaiʻi Seas
- Dr. Michael-Thomas Foumai
  - Website
    - Raise Hawaiki
    - Hapa Symphony Series
- Megan Conley, musician
  - Website
  - Ocean Music Action
Music Department at UH Mānoa (Homepage)
- Dr. Takuma Itoh
  - Website
  - Landscape Music: Takuma Itoh
  - 2025 New Music Creator Award
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (Homepage)
- Dr. Rosie Alegado
  - Microbial Ecology & Evolution in Hawaiʻi Laboratory
  - Sea Grant Ulana ʻIke Center of Excellence
University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant College Program (Homepage)
- Dr. Beth Lenz
  - Sci-Art Collaborations:
Create(x) at UH West Oʻahu (Homepage)
- Dr. Kari Kēhau Noe, team
- UH News: Students create visually stunning VR similar to professional experiences
- Watch: Create(x)
Kahuku Middle and High School (Homepage)
- Kaleolani Hanohano, faculty
  - 2024 Hawaiʻi State Teacher’s Association Pono Award
- The Wind Gourd of La ‘amaomao
  - Introduction: “The gourd, along with the marvelous wind chants naming dozens of local winds, is passed down from La‘amaomao, the Hawaiian wind goddess, to her granddaughter La‘amaomao; to her granddaughter’s son Pāka‘a; to Pāka‘a’s son, Kū-a-Pāka‘a.”
  - Review: “These chants are a lively testimony to the keen observation of natural phenomena by ka po’e kahiko, the Hawaiians of old.”
  - Ulukau: Story of Pākaʻa
  - Watch: The story of Pākaʻa and Kūapakaʻa
Dillon Valenzuela (Linkedin)

A drawing of a young hawaiian boy and an octopus facing out to sea, underwater, with various fishes swimming by.

IN THIS SECTION

Select a season of Voice of the Sea

Contact information:
Kanesa Seraphin, Ph.D.
kanesa@hawaii.edu

CONNECT