Kanilehua Chorale was formed in 1998 to provide
a new choral singing opportunity in East Hawaii. The Chorale's goal is to
further the art of the finest choral chamber music while giving trained
adult musicians an opportunity to perform that music beyond the college
years.
Sharon Van Nest was the first conductor of the Chorale, and the group's
first performance took place in May 1998. In November 1998, Kanilehua
Chorale gave its first live performance in the newly renovated Palace
Theater in Hilo. Since then, it has presented a concert at the Palace
Theater each May and December, as well as other East Hawaii locations and
in Honolulu.