Songwriters weekend to save vivistop
Vivistop Honolulu proudly hosted the Oʻahu Songwriters’ Weekend — a two-day immersive experience for emerging musicians, lyricists, and producers to explore songwriting, industry insights, and community collaboration.
Led by singer-songwriter and Maui Songwriter Rounds founder Sara Jelley, and co-organized by Vivistop’s own Jaslyn, the weekend offered a blend of creative exploration and professional development all rooted in youth empowerment and accessibility.
We’re especially proud that three Vivistop youth applied and were selected to receive scholarship spots to attend the full weekend. It was a powerful opportunity for them to grow creatively, connect with mentors, and be in a space where their voice and ideas were truly valued.
Day 1: Music Business 101
Day one offered participants a crash course in the real-world business of music. Through four one-hour workshops with local industry pros, attendees got firsthand knowledge of what it takes to build a creative career:
Masao Yamada: Artist Development
Tracy Larrua: PR & Marketing
Gaven Sugai: Finance & Business Development
Kamuela Kahoano: Audio Production & Live Gigging
From personal branding to gigging strategy, it was the kind of insight many young artists rarely get access to especially in such a welcoming, conversational format.
Day 2: Songwriting Intensive
The second day was a deep dive into the craft of songwriting. With support from Jaslyn and Sara, participants moved through writing exercises, feedback circles, and creative challenges that encouraged vulnerability and expression.
Highlights included:
A feedback roundtable where participants shared original lyrics and received supportive critique
A guest workshop by Lemon Lunchbox on content strategy and building an audience
A co-writing session inspired by sync briefs, where participants created songs for mock TV/film placements, encouraging collaboration and commercial thinking
An afternoon sharing circle, where writers showcased their new work
To close the weekend, a Songwriter Rounds concert featured live performances from established Hawaiʻi artists, including:
Aolani (Nā Hōkū winner, Best Engineering)
Devon Lafoga (soLUXE)
Brittni Paiva (Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner)
Josh Kahula (Lead singer of Nuff Sedd)
The concert capped off the weekend with inspiration, showcasing what’s possible when storytelling and music meet.
Access, Opportunity, and Creative Growth
The Oʻahu Songwriters’ Weekend wasn’t just a program, it was a bridge. For the three Vivistop youth who earned scholarship spots through the application process, it was a chance to explore their artistic voice, build real connections, and walk away feeling seen and supported.
We’re incredibly thankful to Sara Jelley, Jaslyn, and all the mentors who gave their time, talent, and guidance to make this weekend possible.
