Saturday Briefing

By Nancy Daniels

Outrigger Enterprises Group’s Sunday Showcase music series and Na Mele No Na Pua Kama‘aina Concert continues in February with another great line-up of island entertainment. Set to appear on February 22 are Jake Shimabukuro, who headlines the Na Mele No Na Pua bi-monthly concert on the Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk® Grand Lanai that afternoon, and Taimane Gardner, whose performance will follow downstairs on the Plaza Stage, as part of Waikiki Beach Walk’s weekly Sunday Showcase.

Adding a special bit of nostalgia to the weekly Sunday Showcase series is host and emcee Jeff Apaka. The son of Hawaii’s legendary Golden Voice of Hawaii, Alfred Apaka. A consummate performer himself, Jeff has played across the U.S. Mainland, Europe, Canada, and the Orient, as well as co-starring in musicals on stages in New York and Los Angeles.

Sunday Showcase
This free weekly program takes place every Sunday afternoon (weather permitting) from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on the Plaza Stage at Waikiki Beach Walk.

February 1 - Alec B. & Friends (Jazz)
Alec Briguglio, aka Alec B., has accumulated many awards and accolades as a musician, teacher and artist. Born and raised in Massachusetts, he graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and has traveled extensively performing and teaching music around the world. Shortly after moving to Hawaii ten years ago, he quickly established himself as an outstanding musician. He is the winner of the prestigious Hawaii Music Award’s Jazz Artist of the Year in 1999 and the Hawaii Music Educator of the Year award. This Punahou Jazz Band Director has also recently released “The Different Flavors of Alec B.”.

February 8 – Hula Halau ‘O Kehaulani (Hula/Hawaiian)
Hula Halau O Kehaulani, under the direction of Kumu Kehaulani Sousa-Yonehiro, is a non-competitive school offering both the ancient (Kahiko) and modern (`auana) styles of Hula. Kumu Kehau has been a dance Director and teacher for over 15 years. Hula Halau ‘O Kehaulani also proudly performs every Saturday evening from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on the 4th floor Grand Lanai of the Embassy Suites, as well as many other venues in Hawaii.

February 15 – Mo’ Dahka (Contemporary/Island/Hawaiian)
Enjoy sweet harmonies and a variety of Island, Hawaiian, Contemporary Hawaiian, with Mo’ Dahka. Be serenaded by the melodic rhythm of Mo’ Dahka, and walk away with a sense of what Aloha is all about.

February 22 – Taimane Gardner (Ukulele Virtuoso)

Taimane has often been described as a musical child prodigy. Many people have described Taimane as the “Female Carlos Santana.”  Through her performances, Taimane has created her own unique style and technique, with an uncanny ability to blend classic contemporary songs with classical music. Perhaps her best quality is her on-stage presence. Her magnetic charisma captivates the audience till the end of each of her performances.

Na Mele No Na Pua Kama‘aina Concert Series
This bi-monthly concert series is held at the Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk, Grand Lanai, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. every other month. (Performance time varies depending on artist.)

February 22 - Jake Shimabukuro
Renowned for lightning-fast fingers and revolutionary playing techniques, Jake views the ukulele as an

“untapped source of music with unlimited potential.” His virtuosity defies label or category. Playing jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock, Jake’s mission is to show everyone that the ukulele is capable of so much more than only traditional Hawaiian music. From a modest beginning performing at a local Honolulu cafe, Jake has gone on to play renowned venues such as the House of Blues and The Knitting Factory (Los Angeles); The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA); Tipitina’s (New Orleans); Joe’s Pub, Highline Ballroom, and B.B. King’s Nightclub (NYC); The Bumbershoot Festival (Seattle); The Fuji Rock Festival (Japan); The Music Is Good Medicine Tour covering thirty-two shows (Japan), and many others. Occasional tours with Jimmy Buffett have broadened Jake’s experience, regularly exposing his virtuosity and amazing stage presence to crowds of up to 50,000. Jake has also performed on national television shows such as NBC’s The Late Show with Conan O’Brien (twice) and Last Call With Carson Daly, as well as featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, Public Radio International’s The World, and The Bob Edwards Show on XM Satellite Radio.

Valet parking for up to four hours is available for $6 at the Embassy Suites - Waikiki Beach Walk (201 Beachwalk) and the Wyndham at Waikiki Beach Walk® (227 Lewers Street), with any same-day purchase from any Waikiki Beach Walk merchant.