Kalei Gamiao was originally scheduled to hold a CD release party for his newly-released album “Merry Ukulele Christmas”  on the November 21 edition of Pakele Live! However, following the massive destruction and loss of life in the Philippines due to Typhoon Haiyan, he decided to forgo the release party in favor of doing a benefit/fundraiser to help the thousands of people who were affected and who still have no food, water, shelter, or medical care.

In addition to seven musical acts, there will be a silent auction. Donations by local businesses include ʻukuleles by a number of manufacturers including but not limited to: Kamaka ʻUkulele, Kanilea ʻUkulele and KoAloha ʻUkulele (including special models that cannot be purchased outside of Hawaiʻi); gift certificates from local merchants; and more.

Viewers who are watching the livestream of the show will be able to participate in the bidding by texting their name, bid amount, and contact number to (808) 342-9159.

Bids and donations can be sent online via email at this PayPal link by entering your email address where indicated, and [email protected] in the “Their email” box. Please make a note that the funds are for the Philippines, and if you are paying for a winning bid, please indicate which item you won.  

(NOTE: All funds received will be donated to the Red Cross, and will be presented December 15 at the special Kōkua for the Philippines fundraiser event sponsored by Hawaiʻi radio and television stations. The event will be held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.)

The performers who are so graciously volunteering their time and talents are (in order of appearance):

• Kamuela Kahoano
  

• Bryan Tolentino
  

• Kris Fuchigami
  

• Johnna Padeken Parel
  

• Pacific Blu (Kai Adarna, Alika Boy Kalauli IV, Kawehi Kekauoha, Paul Yoshida)
  

• Tommy Tokioka
  

• Kalei Gamiao
  

The hosts for the evening will be:

• Kalei Gamiao
  

• Pali Kaaihue 
  

• Skyler Kamaka 
  

• Tony Solis
  

“Hope – A Benefit Concert for the Philippines” takes place Thursday November 21 at the Willows (901 Hausten St. Honolulu), from 6:30-8:30pm. Admission is free!

Those who can’t be there in person can watch via the livestream.

Multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawaiʻi’s Grammy®) winners Kekuhi Kealiikanakaole, her son Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole, and Shawn Pimental will be doing a series of very special, do-not-miss workshops and concerts over the next week in New York, Virginia, and Michigan!

Tuesday Nov. 19 - New York City

Hula and Talk Story Workshop presented by Hālāwai
Ripley-Grier Studios – 16th floor
520 Eight Ave. (between 36th and 37th streets)
6:30-8:30pm

Registration: $50 at the door

Wednesday Nov. 20 - New York City

Concert
Elebash Hall
365 Fifth Avenue (between 34th & 35th)
7:00 pm
Tickets: $25

Friday Nov. 22 – Vienna, VA

Concert
Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts
The Barns, 1645 Trap Road
8:00 pm
Tickets: $25-30  

Monday Nov. 25 – Ann Arbor, Michigan

Concert
University of Michigan
Lydia Mendelssohn Theater
911 North University Avenue

FREE

A concert of ancient ʻoli (chant) traditions, modern melodies, and original song compositions in a powerful mix of music that speaks to the soul.

Tuesday Nov. 26 - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Lectures  
University of Michigan
3512 Haven Hall, Department of American Culture

10:00-11:30am - “Makawalu”—Multiple Perspectives
A conceptual framework for exploring how hula connects to a diversity of disciplines, with a focus on the cartography of the hula body and the earth body.

4:00-5:30pm - Hula – Global Connections

Hula is truly a global phenomenon with schools in the continental U.S., Japan, Mexico, Holland, Germany, and the Pacific. This presentation will focus on the social, ecological, psychological, and spiritual aspects of hula and how and why they think it is the phenomenon it is.
 >>>FREE and open to the public!<<<

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From the Ann Arbor publicity:

In their Ann Arbor debut, Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani and Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole will offer exceptional insights into indigenous Hawaiian perspectives and sensibilities. Audiences will be simultaneously enlightened and entertained with this rare opportunity to experience Hawaiian indigenous practices and traditional ecological knowledge.

Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa, mother and son, create artistry together that is deeply anchored in Hawaiian tradition. Their family lineage is the esteemed Kanakaʻole family of Hawaiʻi island, stewards of practices that link them to the volcano goddess Pele and the volcanic creation of the islands. The Kanakaʻole family is renowned internationally for their appearances in festivals, documentary films, and PBS Great Performances. Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa are also related to the Kaniʻaulono family traditions of spiritual and social leadership. 

Both Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa are equally fully engaged in their place as modern Hawaiians in the contemporary world. Fluent in Hawaiian as well as English, surrounded by Hawaiian and all types of Western music, educated in Hawaiian tradition and earning advanced degrees in Western universities, they define what it means to be indigenous intellectuals in a contemporary world.

Kekuhi and Kaumakaiwa are both successful solo recording artists. They are celebrating the release of their first collaboration as a duo, Kekuhi + Kaumakaiwa.

Kekuhi Kealiikanakaoleohaililani is kumu hula (master instructor) of Hālau o Kekuhi. She serves as Executive Director of the Edith Kanaka’ole Foundation, and is an Assistant Professor of Hawaiʻi Life Styles at Hawaiʻi Community College.

Kaumakaiwa Kanakaʻole is a recording artist, master chanter and dancer, poet, and winner of multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards.