Mission and History 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.