Singers welcome!

The Kawaii Kon Song Contest is back! Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just love to sing your heart out, this is your time to shine on the Kawaii Kon stage!

How to Apply

To enter the Song Contest, applicants must be at least 16 years or older and submit a video audition showcasing their vocal abilities. The video should be no more than 2 minutes long and should demonstrate your performance style and energy. You may use a song of any genre you feel best represents your talent, though anime-inspired is preferred!

Please note that your submission must be a video; audio only submissions will not be accepted.

For full details on the contest rules, eligibility, and submission guidelines, please refer to the Song Contest Rules.

What to Expect

The top 8 contestants from our online submissions will be selected for the Semifinals at Kawaii Kon. During this round, contestants will perform live on stage in front of a crowd and judges. This is your chance to stand out!

The top 4 performers from the semifinals will advance to the Final Round. Here, contestants will compete for the coveted title of Kawaii Kon’s Song Contest Champion. Each contestant will perform two songs.

The grand prize winner of the Song Contest will walk away with a trophy and a $100 cash prize to celebrate their victory and incredible performance!

Scoring and Feedback

Your performance will be evaluated across several weighted key categories.

  • Vocal Quality (50%): pitch, vocal control, voice clarity.
  • Song Difficulty (30%): changes in pitch or tempo, notes out of a standard range, ease / difficulty of song choice.
  • Stage Presence (10%): ability to put on a performance, energy of the contestant, ability to ‘fill the stage’ with the performance.
  • Crowd Response (10%): audience engagement, excitement, and interest

Feedback from the judges will be sent via email to each semifinalist and finalist up to two weeks after Kawaii Kon 2026.

Any questions? Contact us at [email protected].

Song Contest Judges

Kosuke

Kosuke is a half-Japanese American singer/songwriter from Kailua, Hawaii. While living in Japan, he started off uploading covers on YouTube. He was contacted by two Japanese brothers and they formed a band called The HYKE in 2016. Eager to learn more about the music making process, he moved back to Hawaii in 2019 and received an AS in Audio Engineering in the MELE Program at HCC. Kosuke is also a member of soLUXE, a Nā Hōkū nominated R&B/Soul group.

J. Lyn

Jaslyn Loftin is a professional singer and songwriter based in Honolulu, Hawai’i. As a performer, she has played in renowned venues such as the Troubadour in Los Angeles and the Blue Note Hawaii in Waikiki with prominent Hawai’i talent such as Jake Shimabukuro and Henry Kapono. As a songwriter, she co-wrote the Chinese EDM hit, “Make Me Forget,” by Singer Ann-E1, reaching #23 on the streaming platform, Cloudmusic (the “Soaring” Chart) and #6 on China’s Global Song Chart. J.Lyn is currently a lecturer of Music Theory, Music, Business and Songwriting at the Music & Entertainment Learning Experience Program at Honolulu Community College.

Kod¥

Kod¥ (Kod.Yensign) is alternative pop artist with singer/Songwriter vibes making his re-debut in today’s music scene. He has experience with operational management, which he gained through working with the Hawaii H-Pop boy group “Crossing Rain” for two of their most successful years. After stepping away from being behind the scenes Kod¥ is ready to step back into the limelight with a new image, a new sound, and years of experience.