The Palama Settlement Music School was organized in September 1946 as an outgrowth of the music settlement idea that Henry Street Settlement in New York City made popular. The Palama Music School offered classes in vocal and instrumental music, and also dance performances. In the 1950s, under the direction of John Kelly, Jr., musicians from around the world were invited for guest lectures, recitals, and music festivals held at Palama Settlement. A notable highlight of Mr. Kelly’s work was the 1959 Festival of Folk Music of Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Nations, a two-day show at the Waikiki Shell that consisted of Samoan knife and fire dances, folk songs from China, Japan, Okinawa, Korea, and Hawaiʻi. Palama Settlement operated the Music School until 1968.