There are those who will not be able to see him Saturday night. For those, Willy K, the Grammy nominated and Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning musician made a special effort to visit those who can’t make the trip to the
There are those who will not be able to see him Saturday night.
For those, Willy K, the Grammy nominated and Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning musician made a special effort to visit those who can’t make the trip to the Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort’s 10th Annual Sunset Ho‘olaule‘a Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“We know that some of you can’t come to the ho‘olaule‘a and Willy K wanted you to enjoy what those who come will be enjoying,” said Arthur Vento, executive vice president and general manager of the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, Friday morning following Willy K’s presentation at the Regency at Pua Kea. “The Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort wanted to bring him to you.”
The visit coincided with the facility’s lunch hour and residents overflowed the dining room, clapping, smiling and keeping time with the wide range of music presented by the versatile entertainer.
Earlier, Willy K stopped off at the Boys & Girls Club Summer Program at Lihu‘e Court where he told the students there to do something nice for someone.
“Set the table for dinner, just be nice to someone,” he told the eager youngsters who were thrilled to hear “Ku‘uipo,” a song familiar to both the young students and elderly residents.
Vento said Willy K has traditionally made stops to visit with people who are not able to make the ho‘olaule‘a, and following a quick tour of the radio stations for a final plug of the ho‘olaule‘a, extended the trip through Lihu‘e for the visits.
His tour ended with standing ovations and calls for encores at the Regency when he put some residents in tears with his emotional rendering of “Danny Boy.”
Willy K will be headlining the Sunset Ho‘olaule‘a with his wide range of music utilizing a traditional guitar for slack key to a rockin’ Stratocaster, states a release from the Koloa Plantation Days.
He will be part of a continuous flow of entertainment which will rotate through three stages throughout the evening.
Other performers include Ho‘olaule‘a alumni, The Blond Boys, Aloha Breeze, Revival, Pacific Sound Machine and Shilo Pa, a Hawaiian contemporary artist.
Ho‘onani Road fronting the Sheraton Kaua‘i will be closed from Kapili Road to the eastern end of Ho‘onani Road for the free celebration.
Designated parking will be available at the Kiahuna Golf Course and the Po‘ipu Beach Park with shuttles operating from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Outside food and beverages will not be permitted. Instead, Sheraton Kaua‘i Resort will offer cuisine from some of the hotel’s venues including items from Shells Steak and Seafood, Naniwa Japanese Restaurant, Oasis Bar & Grill and the Surf to Sunset Lu‘au.
More items will include food booths offering a variety of items from Joe’s on the Green, Lappert’s Ice Cream, Sushi Bushido, Keoki’s Paradise, Scotty’s BBQ and Kaua‘i Pasta.
A Keiki Corner will operate from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. offering a paintball booth, rides and inflatables, a sweet and glow store as well as a variety of games and prizes.
The ho‘olaule‘a is one of four events taking place Saturday which kick off the week-long Koloa Plantation Days celebration and is made possible through the support and cooperation of the Kaua‘i Police Department, No Ka ‘Oi Plants, Kiahuna Golf Club, the County of Kaua‘i and Pioneer Hi-Bred.
For more information, call 742-1661.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
