This move feels like a fresh start—a symbol of HOT’s commitment to growth, creativity, and community as we head toward 2024 and beyond.

Aloha Hawai‘i Opera Theatre ʻohana!

I’m excited to share that HOT has officially moved into a fresh new space on the 4th floor of Hawai‘i Opera Plaza, our building on Beretania Street. The spacious suite is filled with light and energy, new paint, and updated workspaces that help us continue to bring you the magic of opera. Perhaps most exciting, it brings the entire staff into one space for the first time, as our amazing Education Department team had been occupying offices at the other side of the building on the 3rd floor.

This move feels like a fresh start—a symbol of HOT’s commitment to growth, creativity, and community as we head toward 2025 and beyond. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to our ‘ohana, know that we’re ready to make our new home a hub for collaboration, innovation, and celebration of the arts. As we settle into our new space, we’re also thrilled to announce our upcoming Education performances, two special events designed to connect and inspire.

First up, join us on Monday, November 18 at 5 p.m. at UH West O‘ahu (Building C, Room C225) for A HOT Education Department Mini Concert. (RSVP HERE) Our talented education staff will present an array of favorites from American Musical Theatre and beyond. This free event is a unique opportunity to experience live music in a cozy, intimate setting and see a different side of the team who brings opera to life in Hawai‘i. Next, we have the Orvis Holiday Concert on Friday, December 13 at 6 p.m., (RSVP HERE) held in the beautiful Kawaiaha‘o Church. This concert will feature the Orvis Studio singers, sharing holiday classics to set the tone for the season in the warm and welcoming acoustics of this historic space. The Orvis Holiday Concert is one of HOT’s most cherished annual events, celebrating the season with musical joy for all. An insider tip: make the evening complete with a visit to City Lights at the Honolulu Hale right across the street! My husband Danny and I have made that part of our holiday tradition since my very first Orvis holiday concert back in December 2019.

And speaking of holiday traditions, I invite you to our 2024 edition of Iʻll Be Seeing You in Studio101 —a nostalgic show created by HOT’s Artistic Director, Jamie J. Offenbach, that promises an evening of golden-age festivity and timeless tunes! (The original IBSY, as we call it internally, was presented in December 2021…our very first live event coming out of Covid. Those of you who attended the Sunday evening show that year will remember our building lost power just minutes before curtain. But we followed the adage “the show must go on” so started just a few minutes late, with flashlights! The power came back in about 20 minutes into the performance, and our own Blythe Kelsey started the number she’d been singing without a misstep. The crowd went wild!)

Step back in time and join us in a beautifully recreated 1940s-50s Honolulu radio studio setting, where the magic of old-fashioned radio comes alive. You’ll be swept away by the powerhouse vocals of Leslie Goldman, Blythe Kelsey, Sofia Troncoso, and Maria Valdes, with our very own on-air personality Jamie J. Offenbach. This holiday treat brings back the glitz, glamor, and musical magic of a bygone era. Dress up in your festive best and get ready for a truly immersive experience. Tickets are going fast for the two performances—previous years sold out, so don’t wait to grab yours! (CLICK FOR TIX!)

As we enter this holiday season, I am mindful of the challenges currently facing our country. Divisions can seem greater than ever, but the power of art remains a vital force in our communities. Opera’s storytelling through music connects us in ways that defy description. At Hawai‘i Opera Theatre, we believe in the transformative power of these shared experiences to bring people together, build empathy, and remind us of our common humanity. I truly believe that we need art in our lives - now more than ever. It is not a “frill” that we can take or leave. And yet at times, I feel like art institutions like ours can be taken for granted. We’ve “always” been there, so we always will be. We are no exception to the seemingly endless struggles faced by arts and education organizations nationwide, and we are reaching out to you for help. An end-of-year gift to HOT is an investment in the arts, helping us bring music, education, and inspiration to Hawai‘i in the year ahead.

A reminder that your contributions are tax-deductible, and we’re especially grateful for any support you’re able to provide before December 31, which ensures that it counts for the 2024 tax year. If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and are age 70 ½ or older, there’s an additional way to give: you can donate up to $100,000 to a qualifying non-profit like HOT tax-free directly from your account as part of your annual required minimum distribution.Your gift—no matter the size—directly supports HOT’s mission to inspire and connect our community through the beauty of opera. Mahalo nui for considering a donation to keep this art form thriving in Hawai‘i. And mahalo for being a part of our journey. Here’s to new beginnings, shared memories, and a season of togetherness through the beauty of music!

(CLICK HERE TO DONATE NOW!)

With gratitude,

Andrew