Alumnus and lecturer Benjamin Fairfield (PhD Music – Ethnomusicology) presented a book launch concert on October 4th for his new publication from University of Hawaiʻi Press, Kani ka ʻōpala: How can garbage sing? Kani ka ʻōpala: How can garbage sing? is an illustrated children’s book that follows a father and daughter on a scavenger hunt through Ala Moana Beach Park’s Magic Island. While playing a conversational “Question Game,” the pair collects trash, interrogates the meaning of rubbish, and eventually repurposes a “worthless” pile of discards into musical instruments (valued and with voice). It is also accompanied by three full-length studio albums recorded using only his rubbish instruments (available on any streaming platform). Regarding the album Dr. Fairfield says, “My goal with the book and accompanying album was to show that these junk builds are more than just tinkering curiosities and are capable of much more.”
Dr. Fairfield’s book launch was celebrated in collaboration with UH alumni, Kirk Sullivan and Sho’on Shibata, current UH students, Hae In Lee Holden and Juven Villacastin, and ethnomusicology faculty, Yuanyu Kuan. Together, they performed a live performance of the music from the accompanying album on custom built instruments. Recently recognized with an Innovation and Impact Showcase award for his sustainability-focused MUS311 Thai Ensemble, Dr. Fairfield sought to demonstrate that his musical instruments made from repurposed rubbish are more than a curiosity or gimmick but are capable of producing beautiful and participatory music that encourages audiences to think about consumption, waste, and our kuleana to our ku’u home. Fairfield has also been awarded a HI State Climate Artist Residency that culminated in an exhibition at the Capitol Modern (free, open the public, and on display through November 2025: https://climate.hawaii.gov/art/).
To hear Dr. Fairfield’s recent HPR interview on “The Conversation,” about his course, the book, and the exhibit, please visit: https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/the-conversation/2025-10-02/local-musician-and-artist-puts-an-innovative-spin-on-kanikapila