Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) non-profit professional symphony presenting live orchestral concerts, Hawaiian fusion performances, films in concert, youth competitions, and community programs across Hawai'i, supported by ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorships, and proposed state funding.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersHonolulu, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra does
Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional symphony orchestra headquartered in Honolulu, Hawai'i (EIN 45-2861988), founded in 2012 as the reorganized successor to the Honolulu Symphony. The organization presents live orchestral concerts across multiple series including Halekulani Masterworks (classical repertoire), HapaSymphony (Hawaiian cultural fusion), Films in Concert (blockbuster film scores performed live), the Blockbuster Summer Festival, Peter and the Wolf family performances narrated in ʻŌlelo Hawai'i and English, and special events such as the Symphony Gala and The Bach Project with Yo-Yo Ma. HSO also runs community and education programs including Symphony Together side-by-side performances, the Nā Hōkū ʻŌpio youth competition for grades 10-12, and the Mele for Maui free community concert in Kā'anapali.
The orchestra employs 101-250 staff and musicians, is led by Music & Artistic Director Dane Lam (appointed July 2023) with JoAnn Falletta serving as Conductor Emeritus, and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Paul J. Kosasa. HSO reached a record-breaking 2023-2024 season under Lam's leadership and appointed Amy Iwano as incoming President & CEO effective July 2025. The core technology is orchestral music performance delivered at venues including Blaisdell Concert Hall and Waikiki Shell, with no proprietary software products; operations are supported by Squarespace-based web infrastructure and Ticketmaster-powered ticketing.
HSO's business model blends four revenue streams: ticket sales (individual, subscription, and group sales), donations and fundraising across nine tiers ranging from $1 to $100,000+ processed via the Honolulu Symphony Foundation, corporate sponsorships (Lexus, First Hawaiian Bank, Atherton Family Foundation, Hawai'i Tourism Authority), and government funding including proposed 2025 Hawai'i legislation that would designate HSO as the official state symphony with a $500,000 state allocation. The customer base comprises general music enthusiasts, youth and families, and philanthropic donors/sponsors, with programming distributed through direct website sales, Ticketmaster integration, on-site box office, and group sales channels.
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
- Legal name
- Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra
- Website
- https://myhso.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra is a Honolulu-based 501(c)(3) non-profit professional symphony presenting live orchestral concerts, Hawaiian fusion performances, films in concert, youth competitions, and community programs across Hawai'i, supported by ticket sales, donations, corporate sponsorships, and proposed state funding.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Performing Arts - Symphony Orchestra
- NAICS
- Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Performing Arts Companies (7111)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama) (MPAGABAH), Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA), Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)
Keywords
Where Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Honolulu
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from individual concert tickets, subscriptions, and group sales for performances at venues including Blaisdell Concert Hall, Waikiki Shell, and other locations.
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donor contributions at various levels ranging from $1 to $100,000+, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, tribute gifts, and planned giving through the Honolulu Symphony Foundation.
- Government Funding: Proposed $500,000 allocation from the State of Hawai'i to designate HSO as the state symphony, and potential $1 surcharge on performing arts tickets to fund grants.
- Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships including summer series sponsors, musician chair sponsors, and event sponsors such as Lexus, First Hawaiian Bank, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $1 to $499 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $500 to $999 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $1000 to $2499 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $2500 to $4999 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $5000 to $9999 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $10,000 to $24,999 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $25,000 to $49,999 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $50,000 to $99,999 |
| Other | Annual | Donor benefits from $100,000+ |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra presents live orchestral music performances through multiple concert series including classical masterworks, Hawaiian-fusion programming, and films played with live soundtracks. The organization supplements its concert offerings with youth music competitions, family educational performances, community engagement initiatives, and special events featuring world-renowned guest artists. Ticketing and subscription services are delivered directly via the orchestra's website, on-site box office, and through the Ticketmaster platform for select events.
Product overview
The Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra is a nonprofit performing arts organization presenting live orchestral music through multiple distinct concert series and programs. The core offering consists of symphonic performances organized into series including Halekulani Masterworks (classical repertoire), HapaSymphony (Hawaiian fusion), Films in Concert (movie soundtracks performed live), and the annual Blockbuster Summer Festival. Supporting programs include youth development through the Nā Hōkū 'Ōpio youth competition, community engagement via Symphony Together side-by-side programs, educational performances of Peter and the Wolf, and special events including the Symphony Gala and The Bach Project with Yo-Yo Ma. The orchestra is led by Music & Artistic Director Dane Lam and provides ticketing services through an online purchase platform. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 45-2861988.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Halekulani Masterworks Classical symphonic concert series featuring timeless works by composers such as Mozart, Mahler, and Tchaikovsky, performed alongside celebrated guest artists, presented to music lovers in Hawai'i.
- HapaSymphony Concert series celebrating Hawaiian music and culture through fusion performances combining local talent with full symphony orchestra.
- Films in Concert Film concert experience featuring blockbuster films such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 with the full soundtrack performed live by HSO while the movie plays on the big screen.
- Blockbuster Summer Festival Summer concert festival featuring 8 performances ranging from free family 'ohana concerts to films in concert, held at Blaisdell Concert Hall and Kailua District Park.
- Peter and the Wolf Family-friendly half-hour performances of the classic Prokofiev work with local performers narrating in 'ōlelo Hawai'i and English, designed for flexible weekend and evening schedules.
- Beethoven Festival Festival dedicated to the complete symphonies and works of Beethoven, featuring all nine symphonies paired with contemporary works.
- Symphony Gala Annual black-tie fundraising gala featuring premium concert experience and exclusive donor engagement opportunities for major donors and supporters.
- The Bach Project with Yo-Yo Ma Concert presentation of Bach's Six Suites for Unaccompanied Cello performed by world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma at Waikiki Shell, co-presented with Gravitas Pasifika.
- Nā Hōkū 'Ōpio | Young Stars Annual competition for local youth musicians in grades 10-12 to perform solo repertoire with the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra, including instrumental and composer categories.
- Symphony Together: Community Side-by-Side Community engagement initiative bringing together professional musicians and community participants for collaborative performances.
- Mele for Maui Free community concert held under the stars of Kā'anapali featuring the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra alongside acclaimed Hawaiian artists, honoring the legacy and resilience of Lahaina, Kīhei, and Kula.
Companies that use Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.
- University of Hawai'icorePartnership with University of Hawai'i for educational programs including the collaborative educational multimedia production 'Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds' developed with Bishop Museum and HSO, creating music and environmental curriculum for schoolchildren across the state.
- Bishop MuseumcoreCollaborative partnership for 'Symphony of the Hawaiian Birds' project bringing together composers with animators and environmentalists to create awareness of extinct and endangered Hawaiian bird species.
- Polynesian Voyaging SocietycorePartner in the world premiere of 'Raise Hawaiki,' a large-scale choral-symphony based on the Polynesian voyaging canoe Hōkūleʻa, commissioned to celebrate Hōkūleʻa's return from its three-year worldwide voyage, Mālama Honua.
- Yo-Yo MaflagshipWorld-renowned cellist who performed Bach's six suites for unaccompanied cello at Waikiki Shell on December 1, 2022, presented by HSO and Gravitas Pasifika as part of The Bach Project.
- Gravitas PasifikaflagshipCo-presenter of The Bach Project with Yo-Yo Ma, a partnership to bring world-class cultural performances to Hawai'i.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- San Francisco Symphony: Major US orchestra with an owned venue (Davies Symphony Hall), extensive donor program, and educational outreach — a benchmark for the upside of HSO's donor and venue trajectory.
- Seattle Symphony: Larger US regional orchestra with broader resources and an owned hall (Benaroya); useful peer for benchmarking on venue economics, donor tiers, and programming scale.
- Los Angeles Philharmonic: World-class orchestra where incoming HSO President & CEO Amy Iwano previously worked; comparable on organizational design, donor sophistication, and educational/community programming.
- Houston Symphony: Large regional orchestra with comparable pops/films/community programming structure; relevant comparator for funding model and corporate sponsorship depth.
Direct peers
- Pacific Symphony: Regional American orchestra of comparable size (101–250 staff range) presenting classical masterworks, pops, and educational programs; the closest peer in scale and programming mix to HSO.
- Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra: Mid-sized US orchestra where HSO Conductor Emeritus JoAnn Falletta served as Music Director; direct artistic lineage and comparable scale.
- Nashville Symphony: Mid-sized US symphony that, like HSO, operates a successful Films in Concert series alongside classical programming, providing a strong comparator on diversified concert revenue.
- Colorado Symphony: Mid-sized regional orchestra running multi-series programming (Masterworks, pops, family, films) with a similar non-profit, donor-supported model in a non-NY market.
Others
- Honolulu Symphony: Predecessor organization to HSO that underwent reorganization; relevant as historical context rather than an active operating peer.
Emerging players
- Hawaii Youth Symphony: Hawaii-based youth orchestral program that overlaps with HSO's educational mission and youth competition audience; a feeder and adjacent program rather than direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra social profiles
Digital presenceHawai‘i Symphony Orchestra financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra
What does Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra do?
The Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra presents live orchestral music performances through multiple concert series including classical masterworks, Hawaiian-fusion programming, and films played with live soundtracks. The organization supplements its concert offerings with youth music competitions, family educational performances, community engagement initiatives, and special events featuring world-renowned guest artists. Ticketing and subscription services are delivered directly via the orchestra's website, on-site box office, and through the Ticketmaster platform for select events.
Is Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra a public or private company?
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra founded?
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra was founded in 2012. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra based?
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra is headquartered in Honolulu, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, government Funding and sponsorships.
Who are Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are San Francisco Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and Houston Symphony. Direct peers are Pacific Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Nashville Symphony and Colorado Symphony. Honolulu Symphony is listed as an others. Hawaii Youth Symphony is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra.
What industry is Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra in?
Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra's product category is Performing Arts - Symphony Orchestra. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAGALAC, Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues), with a secondary code of MPAGABAH, Classical & Contemporary Theatre (Plays/Drama). Its NAICS code is 71113 and its SIC code is 7990.