September 26, 2026 | The Lounge - 1st Show (5:00pm) | The Next Verse

A Special HKF Month Music Experience

The Next Verse: From First Song to Icon

Kailua Music School x Henry Kapono Foundation

Featuring Irie Love • Tavana • Erin Smith • KMS Youth Artists

Every iconic songwriter started with a first song.

The Next Verse brings generations of Hawaiʻi artists together for a special evening celebrating original music, mentorship, collaboration, and the journey of the songwriter - from finding your voice and writing that first song to building a lifetime through music.

Presented as part of Henry Kapono Foundation Month and the ongoing partnership between the Henry Kapono Foundation and Kailua Music School, the evening features three distinctive Hawaiʻi artists: reggae, R&B and island music favorite Irie Love; blues and roots powerhouse Tavana; and award-winning alternative rock artist and Kailua Music School Director Erin Smith.

Sharing the stage will be the next generation of Hawaiʻi songwriters and performers from Kailua Music School: Mila Hamm, Finn Masterson, Isabel Norvell, Meilia Perez, Kamea Sargent, Harley Kruse, and Ryzen Maldonado. These young artists have been developing their songwriting voices through special sessions with legendary Hawaiʻi songwriter Henry Kapono, exploring the craft of songwriting, the power of storytelling, and what it means to find an authentic voice of their own.

Expect original songs, stories behind the music, unexpected collaborations and co-writes, iconic influences, and musical moments shared across generations - with established artists making room for the voices coming next.

Opening the evening are Paper Tiger Riot and Tuesdays in Bloom.

The Next Verse is more than a concert. It's a celebration of where songs begin, how artists grow, and what can happen when one generation of musicians reaches back to inspire the next.

Genre: Singer-Songwriter • Island Contemporary • Reggae • Blues • Rock • Original Music

Featured Artists

IRIE LOVE
Internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter known for her soulful blend of reggae, R&B, and island music, Irie has built a career that has taken her from Hawaiʻi to stages around the world.

TAVANA
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist known for his electrifying one-man-band performances and distinctive blend of blues, rock, roots, and Hawaiian influences.

ERIN SMITH
Award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, and longtime force in Hawaiʻi's alternative rock scene, Erin is also the Director of Kailua Music School, where she helps nurture and develop Hawaiʻi's next generation of musicians.

KAILUA MUSIC SCHOOL
A creative home for young musicians to develop their craft, confidence, and individual voices through performance, songwriting, collaboration, and mentorship.

HKF MONTH

A month-long celebration of Hawaiʻi's music and the artists who create it, bringing our community together through live music, mentorship, education, and opportunities for the next generation.