Page 2 - MidWeek Kauai - May 31, 2023

2 KAUA‘I MIDWEEK MAY 31, 2023
with Lisa Nakamichi
Who could have imagined that Forth Worth, Tex- as, known as “Cowtown,” would become a center of classical music? But if the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition held there could have that effect, why not cre- ate a world-class international piano competition in a tourist destination like Hawai‘i? Fif- teen years ago, it seemed an impossible goal, but that is what I envisioned for Hawai‘i with the Ke‘alohi Internation- al Piano Competition.
But as months of planning during COVID dragged by without a venue, things looked bleak. I was on the verge of postponing the competition, when both Blaisdell Center and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Department of Mu- sic tentatively agreed to the dates.
I am proud for not giving up on the dream of hosting a world-class piano competi- tion in Hawai‘i. At the same time, the kinds of obstacles we faced showed that much success came because many people shared the same vision. Determination, tenacity, opti- mism and patience were major
An Unwavering Vision
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it; the time will pass anyway.” — Earl Nightingale
factors in bringing the dream to reality. Without those, it would still be 15 years later, but we would not have heard 15 outstanding musicians.
Lisa Nakamichi is an inter- nationally known concert pia- nist and recitalist, and found- er of the Aloha International Piano Festival. In June 2022, she launched the Ke‘alohi International Piano Compe- tition in Honolulu, which will be held again in 2025.
Chasing The Light is pro- duced by Lynne Johnson and Robin Stephens Rohr.
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2021, I threw the idea to Dave Moss, the new HSO president. His enthusiastic “let’s do it!” launched us into immediate preparation.
the world was overwhelm- ing, and 15 phenomenal pia- nists were invited to compete. Watching the finalists play their concertos with the HSO in June 2022, was surreal. Had all these years really culminat- ed in this moment?
Worrisome now was the short lead time. But response from young pianists around
Fill in the blank cells using numbers 1 to 9. Each number can appear only once in each row, column, and 3x3 block. Use logic and process of elimination to solve the puzzle. The difficulty level ranges from Bronze (easiest) to Silver to Gold (hardest). Answers are on page 7
RATING: BRONZE
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For such an undertaking, full support from the Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra was critical. Doggedly pitching the idea for more than a de- cade, I remained convinced that someday, someone would grasp its value. Sens- ing an opportunity and the right timing in the summer of
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