In Spring 2024, PLC launched its third annual Sparx Music Mentor Entrepreneurship (MME) program. This initiative pairs middle and high school students from the Kaʻū-Keaʻau-Pāhoa Complex Area with accomplished performing artists who use their expertise to mentor the students. The project was a collaboration with local performing artists, composers, and digital media production and marketing experts. This year’s Sparx mentors included Nā Hoku Hanohano award winner Kala‘e Parish and his wife Kalenaku (formerly DeLima), Brad Watanabe from The Green, Jon Yamasato, and Roslyn Catracchia.
Through the PLC Sparx MME program, KKP youth had the incredible opportunity to showcase their musical talents both locally and internationally. This was made possible through a formal partnership with HI Sessions, a leading social media platform in Hawai‘i that promotes local music and artists globally. On April 3, 2024, the HI Session team filmed this year’s PLC Sparx MME student finalists at the Four Seasons Resort O‘ahu at Ko Olina Resort. The professionally mastered, multi-camera debut music videos of each student can be viewed on the Sparx Hawai‘i website.
