{"id":233830,"date":"2026-05-07T13:33:55","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T23:33:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=233830"},"modified":"2026-06-09T08:52:42","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:52:42","slug":"hamilton-exhibit-instruments-repurposed-from-opala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2026\/05\/07\/hamilton-exhibit-instruments-repurposed-from-opala\/","title":{"rendered":"New interactive Hamilton Library exhibit features instruments repurposed from \u2018\u014dpala"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 3<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"Instruments
The “Kani Ka ʻ\u014cpala<\/span>: Take a Sad Song & Make it Better” exhibit is on display at Hamilton Library<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A new exhibit in the Bridge Gallery of Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaiʻi<\/span> at M\u0101noa invites the public to play instruments repurposed from ʻ\u014dpala<\/span> (trash). Bike brake cables, SPAM cans, rice bags, and driftwood are just a few of the materials that make up the exhibit\u2019s instruments.<\/p>\n

\"Benjamin
Benjamin Fairfield<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Available through August 10, the “Kani Ka ʻ\u014cpala<\/span>: Take a Sad Song & Make it Better<\/a>” exhibit by ethnomusicology lecturer Benjamin Fairfield combines ecomusicology with place-based learning and encourages examination of consumptive habits.<\/p>\n

“The idea of accepting a label of trash as worthless primes us to see things as having no further utility and value,” said Fairfield. “This project is getting us to challenge those labels and think, ‘Is it really worthless? Can’t it still have a voice, a utility, be part of our song and part of our creative process?’”<\/p>\n

Crafted in the classroom<\/h2>\n

Many of the pieces were crafted in Fairfield\u2019s MUS311(M)<\/abbr> Thai Ensemble<\/a> class, a sustainability-focused course initially supported by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies<\/a> (CSEAS<\/abbr>), where students repurpose found objects into Thai musical instruments. CSEAS<\/abbr> has also supported outreach workshops for Kani ka ʻ\u014cpala<\/span>.<\/p>\n

\"String
Many of the pieces were crafted in Fairfield\u2019s MUS311(M)<\/abbr> Thai Ensemble class.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The class is important as a course that uses an Indigenous approach to sustainable music-making by recycling found objects and promotes craftsmanship grounded in Southeast Asian studies,” said Teri Skillman, CSEAS<\/abbr> associate director.<\/p>\n

“I was thinking, how can we connect community and music in a participatory way that is also sustainability-oriented? That\u2019s where MUS311(M)<\/abbr> brought all of these things together,” said Fairfield. “When students take the class, I wanted to make sure that music isn’t this scary thing that you’re not allowed to do.”<\/p>\n

Rooted in tradition and ʻ\u0101ina<\/span> (land)<\/h2>\n

Fairfield\u2019s project is largely inspired by his research as a graduate student and his time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he lived in a village with the Indigenous Karen (Pgaz k\u2019Nyau) people.<\/p>\n

\"Fairfield\u02bbs
The instruments are made from a variety of repurposed materials.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“There were these musical traditions that were very interactive, and everyone had a role to play, whether it was dancing and clapping or joining along in some sort of singing capacity. Music wasn’t a presentational sort of thing\u2014it was more participatory,” said Fairfield.<\/p>\n

Currently serving as affiliate faculty at the 糖心视频<\/abbr>
\n Music Department<\/a> and CSEAS<\/abbr>, Fairfield brings a sense of inclusivity and creativity into his teaching.<\/p>\n

“We’re going to celebrate sustainability and connection to the \u0101ina, and also repurpose these things as is done in the tradition,” said Fairfield, “Working with these materials is a way to connect people on a personal level to these objects that we otherwise don’t give a second thought to.”<\/p>\n

‘Everyone\u2019s welcome’<\/h2>\n

The exhibit highlights community involvement every step of the way, from collaborative works with local elementary schools to musings from local poets and professors.<\/p>\n

\"Artwork
Collaborative works with local elementary schools highlight community involvement.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“We explore musicality in a way that\u2019s fun, engaging, sustainable, and hands-on,” said Fairfield.<\/p>\n

Instruments featured also include those from a previous exhibit displayed in Capital Modern: The Hawaiʻi<\/span> State Art Museum as part of Fairfield\u2019s selection for its Climate Action Artist Residency<\/a>. Fairfield\u2019s illustrated children\u2019s book, Kani ka ʻ\u014dpala<\/span>: how can garbage sing?<\/em><\/a> ties into the theme of the exhibit and is on display as well.<\/p>\n

To learn more about the exhibit, visit the Hamilton Library website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

—By Josslyn Rose<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The public is invited to play Benjamin Fairfield\u2019s handmade instruments, crafted in collaboration with his MUS311(M)<\/abbr> Thai Ensemble course. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":233813,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[1562,1440,128,1314,133,73,9],"class_list":["post-233830","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-center-for-southeast-asian-studies","tag-ethnomusicology","tag-manoa-library","tag-manoa-sustainability","tag-music","tag-sustainability","tag-uh-manoa","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t