LIHUE — Ilima Rivera remembers when she won her first contest as a singer. She was five years old and she was with her father, Larry Rivera — Kauai’s legendary musical treasure — at the Coco Palms Resort for a
LIHUE — Ilima Rivera remembers when she won her first contest as a singer.
She was five years old and she was with her father, Larry Rivera — Kauai’s legendary musical treasure — at the Coco Palms Resort for a celebration at the Queen’s Pool.
She sang “Jingle Bells” and stole the show.
Born and raised in Wailua, Rivera never stopped singing.
The director and founder of the Kauai Kau Wela Summer Festival is hosting a benefit concert for Kauai veterans Thursday at the Kauai Beach Resort. It will include hula dancers, Punohu The Warrior, and Tahitian drummers, Na Kane O Kamokila and special guest Larry Rivera.
There will also be a silent auction and a buffet dinner.
The concert will explore at least three of Rivera’s album, including her latest “Blu Canoe,” which contains the award-winning songs, “Be Strong as a Warrior” and “Queen of the Warriors.”
“Everyone has their own battle in life, whether it be a cancer, illness … financial problems, personal problems. I say to them, be strong as a warrior,” Rivera said. “It’s a fast-moving song and very exciting. ‘Like the ocean, life can get rough. Just paddle your canoe forward, don’t give up. Like a warrior, stand brave and tough.’”
Rivera picked up the ukulele at nine years old, playing it when she waited under the umbrella tree for her parents to pick her up from St. Catherines after school. For her 16th birthday, her parents bought her a guitar.
“I had a big surprise party down at Wailua with a water ski boat and a guitar,” Rivera said. “Little did I know that my guitar would be my best friend.”
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30, the show is at 7:30.
Tickets start at $40. They are available at Larry’s Music and Coconut Cup Juice Bar or by calling Illima Rivera, 822-5929, or kauaitickets@gmail.com
