Performing Arts & Music

Hawai‘i’s performing arts and music communities include musicians, dancers, actors, theatre companies, cultural practitioners, producers, presenters, venues and creative entrepreneurs.

Together, they support cultural expression, live performance, creative jobs and opportunities for Hawai‘i artists to reach audiences locally, nationally and internationally.

Performing Arts & Music in Hawai‘i

Ukulele player with ukulele

Music – Hawai‘i’s music community includes performers, composers, recording artists, music publishers, sound recording studios, producers and other industry professionals. The islands are known for mele, kī hōʻalu, ‘ukulele, steel guitar and contemporary music across many genres.

Dance –Hawai‘i’s dance community includes hula, cultural dance traditions, contemporary dance and performance companies. Major events and competitions, such as the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival and the King Kamehameha Hula Competition, continue to showcase hula and other forms of dance for local, national and international audiences.

Theatre – Hawai‘i’s theatre community includes local stages, actors, playwrights, directors, youth theatre programs and performance venues. Local theatre, like supports creative training, live performance and career pathways for actors and production professionals. .  Many of Hawaiʻi’s actors who got their start in local theatre have gone on to star in Broadway shows, feature films, and television. 

Role of the Creative Industries Division  

The Creative Industries Division supports Hawai‘i’s creative economy through programs, partnerships and initiatives that strengthen local talent, business development and creative industry growth.

For performing artists and musicians, this includes support through programs such as Creative Lab Hawai‘i, which helps creative entrepreneurs build industry relationships, develop work for broader markets and explore business opportunities in areas such as music licensing, publishing and content development.

Local Resources

  • Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts – A local organization that supports Hawai‘i’s recording arts community and presents the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.
  • Hawai‘i Songwriting Festival – A music industry event that connects songwriters, artists, producers and music supervisors.
  • Merrie Monarch Festival – An annual hula festival and competition honoring the legacy of King David Kalākaua and celebrating hula and Hawaiian culture.
  • King Kamehameha Hula Competition- A hula competition that showcases hālau and perpetuates Hawaiian culture through performance.
  • Diamond Head Theatre – A local theatre organization and performance venue with productions, education programs and community engagement.
  • Honolulu Theatre for Youth – A theatre organization focused on performances and programs for young audiences.

By the Numbers – 2024

  • 8,779 – Jobs in Hawai‘i’s performing and creative arts industry group
  • 1,375 – Jobs in Hawai‘i’s music industry group
  • 1.14 – Performing and creative arts job concentration compared with the U.S.
  • 1.42 – Music job concentration compared with the U.S.
  • 297 – Jobs in dance companies in 2024, up from 216
  • 73 – Jobs in sound recording studios in 2024, up from 26

*Source – Hawai‘i’s Creative Industries Update Report 2026, Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.