LIHU‘E — Local Kaua‘i musicians have teamed up with county officials to hold a benefit concert on the Kaua‘i County Lawn on Sunday in an effort to support people affected by the Maui wildfires.
The event, known as Kaua‘i Kökua Maui, has been approved by the county and is spearheaded by community member Chanel Flores, who is also one of the over 12 Kaua‘i musicians set to perform on Sunday.
“A lot of musicians wanted to help in some way, shape, or form,” said Flores in an interview with The Garden Island on Friday, adding that she was excited to see so many musicians immediately on board to participate.
“The main focus and purpose is to come together to help our ‘ohana and friends that have been … going through just a difficult time.”
The musicians will play live from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There’s no admission fee for the event.
But people who plan on attending are being asked to contribute to Maui relief efforts by either dropping off donation items for those in need and/or make a contribution to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund before or during the event.
“We all decided that we could come together and perform, play music, share some good spirits for everyone while people come and drop off donations of goods that we need,” said Flores, noting that donations are being organized by several Kaua‘i community groups.
“And also, if anybody wants to make any monetary donations, they can just scan a QR code and make your donations that way as well.”
Flores reached out to County Council member Addison Bulosan for help with putting on the event. Bulosan credited Flores with 90 percent of the organizing efforts.
“(Flores) actually just asked me to help to find a location and I spoke to the mayor and the Parks and Recreation Department, and came up with a game plan to utilize the county lawn,” he said in an interview with The Garden Island.
Bulosan believes many local musicians have been quick to join the event because they want to give back after receiving support from the county during the pandemic in 2020.
“When the pandemic hit, musicians were hit super hard because they lost all their gig work in that there was no relief specifically for gig workers,” he said.
“So in 2020 with Rice Street Business Association, we got some funds and we had all our musicians jump online and play live music to just help people feel better and we paid them through the grants and stuff that we had,” he said.
Other local musicians scheduled to perform at the event include Kaua‘i Boys, Cruz Control, Olaman and Maluhia.
Bulosan is hopeful about a strong turnout at the event on Sunday and emphasized that people make a donation to the Maui Strong Fund before attending.
“It’s really hard to watch the news and be cooped up and not be able to help in any way. So I think a lot of people want to help,” he said.
“I think this will help focus our community to give back and support the community.”
The Maui Strong Fund requires a minimum online donation of $25, according to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation’s website.
“It would be fantastic if that day alone on Sunday, if (Hawai‘i Community Foundation) is watching their donation meters. If they get a larger boost on that day,” Bulosan said. “I would love to see $50,000 to $100,000 just coming from Kaua‘i.”
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Emma Grunwald, reporter, can be reached 808-652-0638 or egrunwald@thegardenisland.com.
