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Music School and Pre-School
We are proud to upload the records of Palama Settlement's Music School and Pre-School. As part of our digitization efforts, we have also added the photographs of these two series that you can view here.
The Palama Settlement Music School was organized in September 1946, offering classes in vocal and instrumental music and also dance performances. In the 1950s, under the direction of John M. Kelly, Jr., musicians from around the world were invited for guest lectures, recitals, and music festivals held at Palama Settlement. A notable highlight of Mr. Kelly’s work was the Seventh Annual Festival of Music at Farrington Auditorium on April 25 and 26, 1958, featuring performances by Kamokila Campbell, Pele Pukui, and Kaʻupena Wong.
Mr. Kelly also organized the 1959 Festival of Folk Music of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Nations, a two-day show at the Waikīkī Shell that consisted of Samoan knife and fire dances, folk songs from China, Japan, Okinawa, Korea, and Hawaiʻi. This experience led to the 1963 publication of his book, Folk Songs Hawaii Sings, which he compiled, arranged, and annotated. Palama Settlement operated the Music School until 1968.
From the outset, a kindergarten program was offered at Palama Chapel in 1896 and continued as a pillar of Palama Settlement's youth programs throughout the early 20th century. During World War II, the Foster Day Care Committee was established to explore the creation of a preschool to care for the children of working mothers. Palama Settlement opened its preschool unit in the spring of 1943 and the program operated until August 1963.
The records in this collection may be used for educational purposes without special permission or additional fees. For non-educational, commercial use of the collection, please contact the archivist at 808-848-2530 or mlouie@palamasettlement.org.
The Palama Settlement Archives' digitization project is funded in part by the Louise and Y.T. Lum Foundation, the David C. Ai Charitable Trust, and the many supporters whose generosity makes this work possible.