The story of Play Hanalei begins with our founder, singer-songwriter Kassie Johnson, also known as Kazi Jay. Raised on the North Shore of Kaua‘i, Kassie grew up without access to many musical enrichment opportunities due to limited local funding and a single-income household. After losing her mother in her early twenties to alcoholism, music became a deeper form of healing and connection for her.

 

While touring in July 2022, Kassie realized she wanted to contribute to her community in a more meaningful way—beyond just her personal music career. Six months later, she and three other women created a camp merging surfing, art, and songwriting into something uniquely powerful. The structure they built became Play Hanalei, a creative ecosystem where children thrive through collaboration, exploration, and play.

 

Three years later, the program has composed nearly 40 original songs—crafted by keiki and a growing circle of artists who have joined the Play Hanalei journey.