The MELE Program is part of Governor Lingle’s Hawaii Innovation Initiative’s Innovation in Economy Bill. MELE (Music Enterprise Learning Experience) was the brainchild of Jim Ed Norman, former president of Warner Brothers Records and award-winning author, historian, and music enthusiast, Dr. Gavan Daws. Norman and Daws approached Honolulu Community College and proposed implementing a music business program in music’s non-performing areas, such as music production and management. Since the introduction of MELE, there has been a stir among many eager people who want to partake in MELE, and with good reason: music is a universal language that heals the soul, and like Hawaii, is comprised of many facets.

The Hawaiian word, mele, means-to sing, chant; any kind of song, chant (Pukui and Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary). Appropriately named, the mission of MELE is simple: MELE is a program designed to help foster and promote the business and profession of music in Hawaii. MELE encompasses three strands--artist creativity, technical production skills, and the business aspects of music in entertainment. The program’s goal is to produce a generation of skilled workforce music professionals with the knowledge and expertise necessary to succeed in the music industry. Proponents predict that MELE will serve as a gateway for music talent in Hawaii and a catalyst for growth of the industry. MELE will also assist in deepening the talent pool in sound for other industries, such as movies, television,
and video games.

Robert Cazimero was one of about 40 notable Hawaiian music artists who unanimously agreed that MELE would be a valuable educational program for Hawaii:

"As a musician in Hawaii, it is important that the culture and music industry continue to flourish. By creating an educated music industry workforce, the MELE Program will serve to advance this global industry and most importantly, better the lives of the people of Hawaii."

Currently, MELE is working on securing a partnership with Nashville’s famed Belmont University, which is home to the leading music business program in the U. S. This union would entail shared curriculum, staff development, and transferable credit, which will enable MELE students to continue on to a Bachelor’s degree with valuable hands-on experience, cutting-edge thinking, and best business practices—all of which are assets that can be applied to working at top music business companies within Belmont University’s network as artists, studio engineers, producers, and record company executives.

But why Nashville and Hawaii?

"When you think about it, there are several parallels between country and Hawaiian music, such as their distinct regional sound and the importance of music to the local culture. Many people also don’t realize that the steel guitar was exported to country music from Hawaii," said Brian Furuto, External Affairs Director, Honolulu Community College.

Honolulu Community College--an educational innovation in itself, obtained a Title III Federal education grant for $2.4 million and is the future home of this super site for music education. The MELE Program measure is in Bill SB1922 SD2 HD1 and on March 29, it was presented before the last House Finance Committee and will now go to conference.