A Celebration of Music, Talent & Community
The Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) is a week-long celebration of music that welcomes pianists of all ages—from Hawaii and around the world—to learn, perform, and grow together.
Alongside the Festival, the Keʻalohi International Piano Competition shines a spotlight on extraordinary young pianists, inspiring audiences and connecting Hawai‘i to a global network of music lovers.
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Founded in 2006 by pianist Lisa Nakamichi, the Aloha International Piano Festival (AIPF) is a non-profit organization committed to educating Hawaii’s students and teachers. AIPF addresses three main needs: the need for music teacher training, the need for low-cost music concerts and music education opportunities, and the need for high-caliber classes and lessons for piano students.
The mission of the AIPF is to promote musical enrichment, innovation and diversity through a nationally-recognized education program, music festival, concerts, teacher enrichment workshops, and competition. AIPF strives to elevate the standards of music education in Hawaii while offering the rare opportunity for Hawaii’s students to be able to study with the most revered concert pianists and teachers from around the world. As a result of volunteer efforts and work to minimize administrative costs, AIPF has consistently offered programs at low and affordable rates for more than a decade.
Over the past two decades, AIPF has welcomed internationally renowned artists and teachers--such as Jon Nakamatsu (Cliburn Gold Medalist), Fabio Bidini (Busoni top prize), Kevin Kenner (Chopin top prize), and Sara Davis Buechner (Tchaikovsky bronze medalist)— nurtured hundreds of students, and inspired audiences across the islands. Yet at its heart, the Festival has always been about people — the relationships, stories, and memories that have shaped us. Our alumni now perform and teach around the world, carrying with them the spirit of aloha wherever they go. This legacy belongs not just to the Festival, but to the entire community that has supported us from the beginning.
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2026 Festival
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AIPF In the Community
Music for All
At AIPF, we believe great music should be accessible to everyone. Our programs combine world-class artistry with meaningful community engagement. We bring international artists to Hawaii to connect local students with global mentors, and provide free public events that invite audiences to experience the joy of live performance. Each program strengthens Hawaii's cultural landscape and creates opportunities for collaboration across education, tourism, and the arts.
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Kanikapila - Music & Talkstory
AIPF has explored new ways to connect with the community, including collaborating with the Liliʻuokalani Center—a hub for Native Hawaiian youth through one of the newest initiatives—Kanikapila - Music & Talkstory. Festival faculty and student artists share talk-stories and mini concerts, blending culture, creativity, and music in a spirit of aloha.
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