The Hawai'i Songwriting Festival Advisory Council
Our Advisory Council is appointed by the Board of Directors, and each member is selected as the Board's way to say "thank you" and acknowledge them for their commitment and contributions to our organization.
Kenneth Makuakāne
Kenneth is a Record Producer, TV producer, Concert Promoter, Engineer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Instrumentalist, Author, Storyteller, Lecturer, and Inspirational Speaker. He has won 17 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and in 2015 he was recognized with a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award. Kenneth has been involved with KMF for many years, first serving on the Board of Directors and now sitting on the Advisory Council. His ideas and expertise continue to drive the conference forward, making him an integral part of our organization.
Kenneth is a Record Producer, TV producer, Concert Promoter, Engineer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Instrumentalist, Author, Storyteller, Lecturer, and Inspirational Speaker. He has won 17 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and in 2015 he was recognized with a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Lifetime Achievement Award. Kenneth has been involved with KMF for many years, first serving on the Board of Directors and now sitting on the Advisory Council. His ideas and expertise continue to drive the conference forward, making him an integral part of our organization.
Adam Zelkind
Adam Zelkind is an eight-time award winning songwriter/composer/producer. He has created cutting edge music for more than 1,356 television episodes as well as various records, feature films and ads.. His awards include ASCAP’s Most Performed Music on Television for two consecutive years. He has worked with artists and writers such as, Kenny Loggins, Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket), Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s), Jason Mraz, Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Amy Stroup, Chris Gelbuda, Spectre Jones, Katie Herzig, Bret James, Big Al Anderson, Josh Kelley, Walt Aldridge, Darryl Worley, Gary Burr, Ashley Gorley, Meghan Lindsey (The Voice & Steel Magnolia), Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Sara Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion (US Elevator), Will Champlin, Dustin Christensen, Rob Kleiner, Marlin Hookman Bonds. He wrote & produced 8 songs for the feature film “The Big Ugly” on which he also served as the film’s executive music producer. His work has become a prominent force on many shows including the hit CW show Hart Of Dixie, having had 20 songs featured on this show. He co wrote and produced with The Crazy Z’s feat. Stephanie Mabey “My Favorite Show”, which was an end titles feature on the HBO hit series The Leftovers. Some of his wildest composer credits include: Rock of Love, Flavor of Love, I Love Money, Real Chance of Love, The Surreal Life, From G's to Gents, I Love New York, Charm School, My Fair Brady, Out Back Jack, Next Action Star, Teen Mom, Below Deck, Beverly Hills 90201, The Steve Harvey Show, Many of his songs can be heard in films including the critically acclaimed film Disconnect, Marine Home Front 3, Slumber Party Slaughter, No Manches Frida, Can't Have You. Adam also serves on the Advisory council for the Hawaii Songwriting Festival.
Adam Zelkind is an eight-time award winning songwriter/composer/producer. He has created cutting edge music for more than 1,356 television episodes as well as various records, feature films and ads.. His awards include ASCAP’s Most Performed Music on Television for two consecutive years. He has worked with artists and writers such as, Kenny Loggins, Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket), Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s), Jason Mraz, Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Amy Stroup, Chris Gelbuda, Spectre Jones, Katie Herzig, Bret James, Big Al Anderson, Josh Kelley, Walt Aldridge, Darryl Worley, Gary Burr, Ashley Gorley, Meghan Lindsey (The Voice & Steel Magnolia), Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Sara Lee Guthrie & Johnny Irion (US Elevator), Will Champlin, Dustin Christensen, Rob Kleiner, Marlin Hookman Bonds. He wrote & produced 8 songs for the feature film “The Big Ugly” on which he also served as the film’s executive music producer. His work has become a prominent force on many shows including the hit CW show Hart Of Dixie, having had 20 songs featured on this show. He co wrote and produced with The Crazy Z’s feat. Stephanie Mabey “My Favorite Show”, which was an end titles feature on the HBO hit series The Leftovers. Some of his wildest composer credits include: Rock of Love, Flavor of Love, I Love Money, Real Chance of Love, The Surreal Life, From G's to Gents, I Love New York, Charm School, My Fair Brady, Out Back Jack, Next Action Star, Teen Mom, Below Deck, Beverly Hills 90201, The Steve Harvey Show, Many of his songs can be heard in films including the critically acclaimed film Disconnect, Marine Home Front 3, Slumber Party Slaughter, No Manches Frida, Can't Have You. Adam also serves on the Advisory council for the Hawaii Songwriting Festival.
Frank Palazzolo
Frank Palazzolo has worked on over 1,000 episodes of television during his 15 year career as a music supervisor. A start in the Universal Pictures Film Music department primed him for a successful collaboration alongside former KCRW DJ and Emmy-nominated music supervisor Liza Richardson. While at Liza’s company, Mad Doll Music, he co-music supervised Locke & Key (Netflix), American Gods (STARZ), The Path (Hulu), About a Boy (NBC), The Leftovers (HBO), Hemlock Grove (Netflix), Scorpion (CBS), Graceland (Fox) and Parenthood (NBC). His selection of Flora Cash's “You’re Somebody Else” for Locke & Key, which was the Billboard #1 synch song of 2020, proves his ability to discover the songs that make projects memorable.
In 2021, Frank launched his own music supervision company, ctrl+F music. ctrl+F music has worked on Netflix’s The Weekend Away, Peacock’s BEL AIR and Apple’s acclaimed series, The Morning Show. He just finished PAUSE w/ Sam Jay for HBO and Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet for Netflix. He is currently music supervising HBO's Velma, Season 2.
Frank Palazzolo has worked on over 1,000 episodes of television during his 15 year career as a music supervisor. A start in the Universal Pictures Film Music department primed him for a successful collaboration alongside former KCRW DJ and Emmy-nominated music supervisor Liza Richardson. While at Liza’s company, Mad Doll Music, he co-music supervised Locke & Key (Netflix), American Gods (STARZ), The Path (Hulu), About a Boy (NBC), The Leftovers (HBO), Hemlock Grove (Netflix), Scorpion (CBS), Graceland (Fox) and Parenthood (NBC). His selection of Flora Cash's “You’re Somebody Else” for Locke & Key, which was the Billboard #1 synch song of 2020, proves his ability to discover the songs that make projects memorable.
In 2021, Frank launched his own music supervision company, ctrl+F music. ctrl+F music has worked on Netflix’s The Weekend Away, Peacock’s BEL AIR and Apple’s acclaimed series, The Morning Show. He just finished PAUSE w/ Sam Jay for HBO and Web of Make Believe: Death, Lies and the Internet for Netflix. He is currently music supervising HBO's Velma, Season 2.
John Cruz
A long-time member of the KMF Board of Directors and Advisory Council, John performed on Hawai'i's first Grammy award winning album, and has also won multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. John has distinguished himself as one of the most talented artists that has ever come from Hawaii. He was named the Best Singer Songwriter by Hawaii Magazine in 2008.
A long-time member of the KMF Board of Directors and Advisory Council, John performed on Hawai'i's first Grammy award winning album, and has also won multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. John has distinguished himself as one of the most talented artists that has ever come from Hawaii. He was named the Best Singer Songwriter by Hawaii Magazine in 2008.
Kalenaku Parish
Kalenaku is the former keyboardist and vocalist for the group Kapena from 2006-2021. She was classically trained in piano and voice for over 10 years. Kalenaku grew up singing Hawaiian music and playing the ukulele with her father in Waikiki. She released her first Island Reggae single entitled, “Hideaway” in 2010 and with that release she earned her first Na Hoku Hanohano Award nomination. In 2017, Kalenaku along with the group Kapena released their first full length album together titled “Palena ‘Ole”. That release earned her four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including Album Of The Year and Group Of The Year. In 2021, Kalenaku received her 5th Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Christmas Album Of The Year. She opened her non-profit 501(c)3 Music School called the Kapena School Of Music with classes running 6 days a week and over 300 active students. She continues performing while running the Kapena School Of Music as the school’s Executive Director.
Kalenaku is the former keyboardist and vocalist for the group Kapena from 2006-2021. She was classically trained in piano and voice for over 10 years. Kalenaku grew up singing Hawaiian music and playing the ukulele with her father in Waikiki. She released her first Island Reggae single entitled, “Hideaway” in 2010 and with that release she earned her first Na Hoku Hanohano Award nomination. In 2017, Kalenaku along with the group Kapena released their first full length album together titled “Palena ‘Ole”. That release earned her four Na Hoku Hanohano Awards including Album Of The Year and Group Of The Year. In 2021, Kalenaku received her 5th Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Christmas Album Of The Year. She opened her non-profit 501(c)3 Music School called the Kapena School Of Music with classes running 6 days a week and over 300 active students. She continues performing while running the Kapena School Of Music as the school’s Executive Director.