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Classical Pacific
Weekdays 3-6pm on HPR-2
Hosted by Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba

Classical Pacific presents classical music from pre-Renaissance to the current day, locally curated from a Pacific perspective. 

View HPR-2's Classical Music Conversations
  • Classical Pacific - Conservation Conversation
    Classical Music Conversations
    Classical Conservation Conversation: Jaws at 50, part 2
    Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba
    The movie JAWS turned 50 this year. In this weekʻs Classical Conservation Conversation, Dr. Shawn Lum talks about the masterpiece that changed cinema, but also brought about the fear of sharks. "Being exposed to the wonders of nature early can immunize us against biophobia. We can be free to embrace the living world and experience it with the joy that itʻs beauty and importance merit."The music that we pair with Dr. Lumʻs talk: Shark Cage Fugue by John Williams from the soundtrack to Jaws, followed by another work written in 1975, Shostakovichʻs Viola Sonata, II. Allegretto.
  • Classical Pacific - Conservation Conversation
    Classical Music Conversations
    Classical Conservation Conversation: Jaws at 50, part 1
    Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba
    The movie "JAWS" directed by Steven Spielberg with soundtrack by John Williams was released 50 years ago. In this episode of HPRʻs Classical Conservation Conversation, Dr. Shawn Lum talks about the effects of the movie on the shark population, "There was an increase in shark hunting and tournaments in the wake of the movieʻs release...." Dr. Lum reminds us that Sharks are important to the people of the Pacific, and we can help be their voice.We pair todayʻs talk with some of the music that inspired John Williamsʻ soundtrack- Debussyʻs "La Mer: II. Play of the Waves"
  • Classical Music Conversations
    Composer Dr. Byron Yasui
    Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba
    Composer, Jazz Bassist, HSO Musician, ʻukulele master, University of Hawai`i Professor of Music, Emeritus Dr. Byron Yasui visits Classical Pacific to help kick off a weekly spotlight on Hawai`i composers. Yasui talks about his surprising start in music and academia, and his natural ability to play string instruments. Dr. Yasui is on the Board of the ʻUkulele Hall of Fame Museum https://www.ukulele.org and will be at the International `Ukulele Festival this weekend.
  • Classical Music Conversations
    Conner Gray Covington
    Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba
    Maestro Conner Gray Covington is in Honolulu this week to conduct Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in Concert and How to Train Your Dragon in Concert with the Hawai`i Symphony Orchestra. "Itʻs wonderful music on itʻs own, but... whatʻs the film like without the music?" The excitement and the energy of a live orchestra accompanying the film on the screen is not to be missed. https://www.myhso.org
  • Classical Music Conversations
    Tuesday Student Takeover: Broderick Nakasone
    Sharene Keliʻipunilei Lum Taba
    Guitarist Broderick Nakasone graduated from ʻIolani School this past Spring, and will be attending the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Nakasone encourages music students to play the music they love. Hear Nakasone at Noel Okimotoʻs Ohana Jazz on July 31. @ohanajazzhawaii
  • Classical Music Conversations
    HSO Summer Movies and Music
    Craig DeSilva
    Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra’s Composer in Residence Michael-Thomas Foumai is a huge movie fan. He stopped by Evening Concert to share his favorite scenes and music from two hit films, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark and How to Train Your Dragon. The HSO will feature these films while performing the movie scores in concerts this week as part of the Summer Festival 2025 concert series.