Kani ka ʻŌpala: How Can Garbage Sing?

A story and hands-on exploration of music made from rubbish!

“What is garbage?” Asks Baba.
“Garbage is something nobody wants or needs,” I say. “It’s junk! Rubbish! Trash! ʻŌpala! Something worthless… Like that potato chip bag.”
Then he asks, “Hey, do you think our little chip bag friend can sing?”
“No, silly!” I say.
“Everything has a voice,” he says.
“So it’s not worthless?”
“Everything has worth,” he says. “I ola ʻoe i ola mākou nei. When they thrive, we thrive.”

“Kani ka ʻŌpala” tells the story of a father and daughter who turn trash into musical instruments, and shows you how to do it too! A perfect book to teach keiki about the importance of reusing, recycling, and taking care of our island home.

• Benjamin Fairfield, Author

  Benjamin Fairfield, PhD, is a teacher, musician, artist, and parent. To see more of his projects, including music albums and video tutorials for the instruments featured in this book, visit www.kanikaopala.com.