Runners can get ready for the big day with the Honolulu Ekiden Music Festival on Saturday, May 19, at the Waikiki Shell. Performers this year include artists from Japan and Hawaii, such as Kalapana, Manao Company, The Real Hoaikane, Sunplaza Nakano-Kun, Pappara Kawai, May J., and Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku. Concert is free for registered racers but additional tickets for the concert can also be purchased at Ticketmaster starting from $30.

The 6th Annual Honolulu Ekiden & Music Festival is a Mele Mei 2018 featured event. Presented by the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, the annual celebration of music and culture, Mele Mei, returns for an eighth year with a full lineup of live performances statewide. The annual event will take place from April through June and feature Hawaii musicians including Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning and Grammy-nominated artists performing at venues and events across Hawaii as well as in Japan. An up-to-date schedule of this year’s events can be found online at WWW.MELEMEI.COM under the “events” tab.