LIHU‘E — Lyah Kama-Drake of the Kaua‘i Museum said she understood the Saturday concert by Kuana Torres Kahele is almost sold out. “We have a few, here, but I was told there are only a few more tickets remaining,” Kama-Drake
LIHU‘E — Lyah Kama-Drake of the Kaua‘i Museum said she understood the Saturday concert by Kuana Torres Kahele is almost sold out.
“We have a few, here, but I was told there are only a few more tickets remaining,” Kama-Drake said Friday during a free intimate concert by Kahele for guests at the Kaua‘i Museum. “I guess people just have to go to the door and hope they still have tickets.”
Kahele, an award-winning recording artist, will be performing in concert as a benefit for hula halau Ka Lei Mokihana ‘O Leina‘ala under kumu hula Leina‘ala Pavao Jardin at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall, starting at 6 p.m. Ticket prices are $25.
Ka Lei Mokihana ‘O Leina‘ala is working to raise funds to help with its trip to the 50th Anniversary of the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival on the Big Island, being one of two Kaua‘i halau to have been invited to the event.
Kahele, a native of the Big Island where the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival is held, is a six-time Na Hoku Hanohano winner and offered a variety of tunes as well as spent time autographing copies of his music following the concert.
Kahele, donning Ni‘ihau shell lei created by fellow Big Islander Kelly Kanahele, was the recipient of a special oli by Kaua‘i kumu Nathan Kalama of the Malie Foundation and reciprocated by opening with a number about Kaua‘i, the audience being treated to an accompanying hula from Uli‘i Castor, an employee with the Edith King Wilcox Gift Shop located inside the museum.
Kahele earned seven Na Hoku Hanohano awards in 2012 when he released his first solo CD, “Kaunaloa,” tying Keali‘i Reichel for the most ever from any Hawaiian artist.
The album won awards for Album of the Year, Song of the Year with “Na Vaqueros,” Male Vocalist of the Year, Hawaiian Album of the Year, and Liner Notes and Graphics.
Coming on the heels of Kaunaloa, Kahele co-produced and arranged Lei Pua Kenikeni, performed by Mark Yamanaka.
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•Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
