Saturday Briefing

By Kathy Hansberry

Waikiki Beach Walk continues to showcase Hawaii’s best island talent through free concerts and entertainment, including the weekly Sunday Showcase music series, the Ku Ha‘aheo Hula Performance every Tuesday.

The Sunday Showcase concert is held every Sunday afternoon from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) on the Plaza Stage at Waikiki Beach Walk and continues to draw a crowd. Both locals and visitors gather on the lawn at Waikiki Beach Walk to relax and enjoy various genre of music from talented island musicians, including Hawaiian, jazz, local island folk songs, contemporary, and R&B.

November Sunday Showcase Schedule
*Special concert performance time - 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. (November 1, 8, 22, & 29, 2009) to be followed by JAL Hula Week concert performances at 5 p.m.

November 1* – Herb Ohta Jr. (Contemporary/Hawaiian/‘Ukulele Instrumentalist)
Herb Ohta Jr. is a teacher, composer, recording artist, entertainer, and producer. He made his debut in 1990, and since then, he has made over 50 recordings. He is a seven-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominee and a two-time Hawaii Music Award winner. He also has two national releases in Japan and co-authored two ukulele instructional books with Grammy Award artist Daniel Ho. Ohta has performed throughout Hawaii, Japan, and the United States and has shared the stage with many of Hawaii’s legendary artists.

November 8* – Jennifer Perri (Contemporary/Hawaiian)

Jennifer Perri

Jennifer Perri is a popular entertainer whose music has captivated many fans both in Hawaii and Japan. Ms. Perri started her musical career at thirteen-years-old when she won Hawaii’s top children’s talent contest and became the co-host of the local hit television show “OKC TV.” She released her self-titled mini-album in 2001 and has also recorded with ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and was featured in the Japanese movie, “Hula Girl.” Her most recent project, “He Mele Aloha,” features traditional Hawaiian songs like Pua ‘Olena and Ku‘u Momi Makamae, along with a selection of original songs.

November 15 – Shining Star The Band (Contemporary/R&B)
Shining Star is a high-energy and entertainment showcase band whose repertoire includes top 40 and dance music, plus some show-stopping surprises. Shining Star performs regularly at various island venues, including Waikiki Beach Walk’s Coconut Willy’s. Their solid rhythm sets the groove of the music from Swing, Latin, R&B, and Disco, to the Top 40 hits of today.

November  22* – Gordon Freitas & Local Folk (Hawaiian/Contemporary)
Gordon Freitas & Local Folk previously performed in April and return to Waikiki Beach Walk for a Hana Hou performance. Gordon Freitas, originally from Holualoa, Kona, on the Big Island, is not only a proud native Hawaiian and a talented local songwriter, he is also a great storyteller and narrator through his ballads. His vivid and descriptive song lyrics paint portraits of island people and local culture. Gordon’s music reflects a sincere joy in the spirit of aloha and deep pleasure in sharing his island culture with the rest of the world. He can invariably be caught flying solo, in a duo, or with close musical friends in a group he calls Local Folk. Gordon swings from traditional Hawaiian to classic folk and rock, but he loves bluegrass and welcomes any opportunity to kanikapila (play music)!

November 29* - Roland Chang & Bernard Kalua with Hula by Kehaulani
Roland Chang, Bernard Kalua, and the lovely Kehaulani take a detour from their ongoing Hawaiian music gig at the Embassy Suites® - Waikiki Beach Walk’s® Grand Lanai to grace the Plaza Stage for their rendition of rich, fun, melodic traditional Hawaiian songs. Roland is part of the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning group Kanilau, as well as one of the founders of Halau Na Mamo O Ka‘ala with Kumu Hula Tiare Noelani Chang. Musician/vocalist Bernard Kalua, a living treasure of Hawaiian music, brings years of experience, as he sings some of his favorite tunes. Hula dancer Kehaulani, Kumu of Hula Halau O Kehaulani, will mesmerize you with her graceful hands and beautiful smile.

Ku Ha‘aheo Hula Performance
Kumu hula and entertainer Blaine Kamalani Kia brings the music and dance of the islands to life at Waikiki Beach Walk every Tuesday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., with Ku Ha‘aheo, “To Cherish With Pride.” The weekly performance features both adult and keiki (children) hula dancers who share their love of the islands through song and dance.

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