Hawaiian musician and leader Aaron Mahi passes away

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Aaron Mahi, renowned musician and Native Hawaiian leader, has died, his family told KHON2.

His brother Gerard Mahi reminisced with KHON2, at an event in Aaron Mahi’s honor held Saturday at the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama campus.

The celebration began at midday with a concert by numerous notable Hawaiian musicians paying homage to Mahi’s legacy, and continued through the afternoon and early evening with a reception and entertainment on the campus lawn.

Mahi passed away later Saturday evening at 7:15 p.m., the family said.

Mahi’s storied career in music dates back to his teenage years, when the Honolulu Symphony Orchestra awarded a then-14-year-old musical prodigy a scholarship.

The Kamehameha Schools student, a 1971 graduate, formed the band Kaimana with fellow musicians Haunani Apoliona, Eldon Akamine and Haunani Bernardino.

Mahi also continued his orchestral pursuits as a bassist and conductor with the orchestra.

Mahi took the helm of the Royal Hawaiian Band in 1981, where he served as bandmaster through 2005 — the first Native Hawaiian bandmaster since the 1930s.

The talented composer also founded the Sovereign Strings Band and the Kealakai Center for Pacific Strings.

Alongside his career in music, Mahi served the community and helped perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture and language, through his service with the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs and the Partners in Development Foundation.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

Tune in to KHON2 News at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Sunday for a memorial story about the remarkable life of Aaron Mahi, and more from the event held in his honor this weekend.