George Kahumoku Jr. is the director of the new Institute of Hawaiian Music at the University of Hawaii Maui College.

KAHULUI — The University of Hawaii Maui College invites the public to a “Launch Celebration” on Friday, Aug. 26, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Kahului Campus. Admission is free.

The launch will celebrate the college’s new name (U.H. Maui College), its new four-year degrees, and its new programs, including the Institute of Hawaiian Music.

Grammy Award winner George Kahumoku Jr., the director of the new Institute of Hawaiian Music, has gathered a star-studded program of Hawaiian musicians for the concert, which will be held on the Great Lawn of the campus. Bring blankets and chairs.

Musical guests include Sterling Seaton, a UHMC student who has participated in three Grammy Award-winning CDs; Gabe Goebbert, an 18-year-old graduate of Maui High School and four-time winner of the Hula Grill Ukulele Contest; and Kaulike Pescaia, an 11-year-old ukulele and falsetto sensation from Kamehameha Schools Maui and the overall winner of the 2010 Hula Grill Ukulele Contest.

Joining them will be four-time Grammy winners the Ukulele Boyz, and the Hula Honeys, the 2011 Na Hoku Hanohano Award winners for Hawaiian jazz.

Longtime favorites Pekelo Cosma, the 1984 Na Hoku Hanohano winner for the song “Koali;” Lei’ohu Ryder, a Hawaii Music Award winner for “Female Vocalist of the Year;” and Richard Ho’opi’i, named a National Endowment of the Arts Folk Treasure.

They will be followed by Miss Aloha Hula 2011 Tori Hulali Canha and Zenshin Daiko, a Maui-based taiko group.

In addition, the college’s award-winning Culinary Arts Academy will provide concessions, and the campus will be open for tours.

UHMC academic programs and student services will have information booths, and attendees can check out a new Nissan Leaf on display — a loan from Jim Falk Motors of Maui — to publicize the college’s upcoming electric vehicle project. Children will enjoy face painting and clowns.

At 6:15 p.m., there will be a short program thanking U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye and other college supporters for their role in helping to develop the campus.

After the program, the Hard Rock Café will provide live music by Super Dub Tribe, a Maui-based roots, rock and reggae band.

Guests may also bid for items in a silent auction to raise funds for student scholarships sponsored by West Maui Soroptomists.

Earlier in the day, the college will host a blessing for the new Kaiao Student Success Center. The 2,000-square-foot center was built with the support of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It will be open for Native Hawaiians and other students to assist in their educational success.

For more information on the “Launch Celebration,” visit maui.hawaii.edu/events.