A Celebration from Mauka to Makai
Music & Storytelling, Hosted in Hawaiʻi
Maka‘i Fest gathers music and story across the moku of Oʻahu — told virtually year by year, converging at the milestone gathering in the civic heart of Honolulu when the rail reaches town.
E Komo Mai · Welcome
Welcome to Oʻahu, Mauka to Makai
Maka‘i Fest gathers the stories of Oʻahu — told virtually today, year by year along the rail corridor from the airport to the civic heart, and in person when the milestone festival arrives in 2031. From our home grounds at Keʻehi, in the Moanalua–Keʻehi region, we share this island and its stories with hoʻokipa — the Hawaiian practice of welcoming with generosity — so you might come to know the ground beneath your feet.
Our kuleana is to remember and to uplift: to honor those who served, and to raise the voices rising from this ʻāina. Throughout the day, cultural practitioners narrate the surroundings — an invitation to listen, to remember, and to leave with a deeper appreciation of where you stand.
The Moku Map
Oʻahu — Mauka to Makai
Makaʻi Fest moves the way the island is divided — events in every moku, descending from the uplands to the sea. Kona, the home moku, leads the way to the milestone gathering at the Civic Center & Kakaʻako.
Nā moku o Oʻahu · every moku in scope · tap a moku to explore, or open the full map
Kona
Home moku · stories in productionThe home moku — from the uplands above Honolulu down to the sea at Kakaʻako and Keʻehi. Every landmark story here is crewed by the Manaʻolana production team.
ʻEwa
Events formingThe broad leeward plain west of the home moku — from the foothills of the Waiʻanae range to the shores of Puʻuloa. Events forming.
Waiʻanae
Events formingThe western coast beneath its namesake range — dry uplands descending to the famed leeward beaches. Events forming.
Waialua
Events formingThe north shore — sweeping from the central plateau to the winter surf coast. Events forming.
Koʻolauloa
Events formingThe long windward reach to the northeast — narrow ahupuaʻa running steep from ridge to reef. Events forming.
Koʻolaupoko
Events formingThe near windward side beneath the Koʻolau pali — fishponds, bays, and storied peaks. Events forming.
About Maka‘i Fest
Maka‘i Fest is a music & storytelling celebration of Oʻahu from mauka to makai — an urban stage that returns the island's attention inland, toward mauka conservation and fair land use. Hosted in Hawaiʻi and guided by its cultural practitioners, stories stream virtually year by year across the moku, converging at the milestone gathering in the civic heart of Honolulu.
Events Across the Moku
Celebrations from mauka to makai across the moku of Oʻahu — music and gatherings announced through the year by sponsors and community partners.
Celebrating Our Veterans
An annual celebration that honors and rewards the participants of the Manaʻolana Initiative and the broader VA community.
Independent Productions
Between sets, the festival screens independent productions — film, audio, photography, and digital storytelling authored and owned by veterans.
Hosted in Hawaiʻi
Hawaiʻi is our cultural host. Guided by cultural practitioners and grounded in the place and people of Keʻehi, the festival welcomes all with aloha.
The Manaʻolana Media Training Initiative
The Initiative trains veterans in video production, audio work, photography, and digital media — grounding each participant in the cultural narratives of place along the Moanalua–Keʻehi ahupuaʻa. Beyond training, it funds and backs veterans to create their own independent productions — recognizing them as producers of work they author and own.
Maka‘i Fest is the annual celebration of that journey: a music & storytelling gathering where the team's year of productions is honored, the broader VA community is celebrated, and the wider public is welcomed to the table.
The Milestone Event
Targeting 2031 — as Skyline reaches town
Honolulu Civic Center & Kakaʻako • Oʻahu
Live Music • Screenings • Showcase
Virtual stories every year until then
A Manaʻolana Production
Rail Corridor Storytelling Initiative
The Road to 2031
One produced story cycle a year along the rail corridor — airport to the civic heart — until Skyline reaches Kaʻākaukukui and the first physical festival gathers residents and visitors on the same ground.
Produced by the Manaʻolana production team
Behind every landmark story, promotion, and festival moment is a crew of veterans who trained for it, earned the credit, and own the work.
Meet the Manaʻolana TeamOur Partners
Maka‘i Fest is made possible by partners who invest in veteran creative voice — from the VA and the Manaʻolana Project to media trainers, cultural practitioners, and community supporters.
Rail Corridor Storytelling Initiative · 2026–2031
Founding Partner — TBD
One partner anchors the six-year corridor initiative, from the first story cycle in late 2026 to the milestone festival in 2031. The position is in conversation.
Lead Partners
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Supporting veteran wellness and the Manaʻolana Media Training Initiative
The Manaʻolana Project
Hope • Healing • Growth — the home of the media training initiative
Media & Distribution
ʻŌlelo Community Media
Media Training Partner — TBD
Distribution Partner — TBD
Cultural Groups
Cultural Group — TBD
Keʻehi Lagoon Memorial (KLMO)
Cultural Partner — TBD
Cultural Partner — TBD
Community Supporters
Veteran-Serving Org — TBD
Family & ʻOhana Partner — TBD
Community Supporter — TBD
Funder — TBD
Community Supporter — TBD
Community Supporter — TBD
Design, Planning & Management Services
Aina Design Corp
Providing comprehensive design, planning, and management services that support Maka‘i Fest's mission to elevate veteran storytellers and present the works of the Manaʻolana Media Training Initiative with care and authenticity.
Visit ainadesign.org →Media Training as Healing
The Manaʻolana Media Training Initiative pairs evidence-based therapeutic practice with hands-on media production. As veterans learn to shoot, record, and edit, they document the history of place along the Moanalua–Keʻehi ahupuaʻa and reclaim their own narrative. The result is a body of public-facing work — and a community of storytellers who feel seen, honored, and elevated.
“Every story you see here was imagined, crafted, and produced by veterans reclaiming their voice through media.”
Become a Partner
Partner with us to support veteran storytellers, fund the media training journey, and help bring their work to the community. Multiple ways to give and collaborate.
Getting Here
Skip the Rental — Ride the Rail
Step off your flight and onto Skyline. By 2031 the rail reaches the Civic Center — ride direct from the airport into town, no parking, no traffic, no rental car. The festival milestone is timed to that arrival.
Land at HNL
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport
Board Skyline
Airport (Lelepaua) station
Arrive Downtown
Kaʻākaukukui (Civic Center Station) — steps from the festival grounds
Skyline's City Center segment is targeted for passenger service in 2031. Station details and service hours for festival day will be confirmed closer to the event.
The Milestone Event
Passes for the milestone gathering — live music, screenings, and stories at the Honolulu Civic Center & Kakaʻako, targeting 2031 as the rail reaches town. Choose the option that's right for you and your ʻohana. Ticketing for virtual and partner events across the moku will appear here as they are announced.
Festival Admission
Festival Pass
Full festival access — live music, screenings, gallery, and creator talks
- All live music performances
- Film & audio screenings
- Photography & digital story gallery
- Creator talks and Q&A
- Festival grounds access
- +1 more...
Community Supporter
Festival Pass
Festival access plus a contribution that directly supports the training initiative
- Everything in Festival Admission
- Priority screening seating
- Meet & greet with the creators
- Complimentary local refreshments
- Reception with cultural practitioners
- +2 more...
Manaʻolana Veteran
Festival Pass
Special pricing honoring veterans and their families
- All Festival Admission access
- Veteran & participant meet-up
- Priority screening seating
- Reception with the creators
- Complimentary refreshments
- +2 more...
Keiki & 'Ohana
Festival Pass
Family pricing for ʻohana attending together (children & students)
- All Festival Admission access
- Family-friendly screening blocks
- Hands-on media & storytelling activities
- Keiki & ʻohana gathering areas
- Parking included
Group Discounts
Save 15% when purchasing 5+ tickets. Perfect for ʻohana and community groups.
Meet the Crew
Receptions and Q&A sessions give you the chance to meet the Manaʻolana team behind the productions.
Mobile Tickets
Digital tickets with QR codes sent instantly to your email. Just show your phone!