This week Pakele Live! with Tony Solis presents the final in our series of five special “Kōkua Japan” shows to benefit our friends affected by the earthquake and tsunami. We’ve raised over $16,000 so far, and have drawn the most viewers in the show’s four year history!
This week’s guests, in order of appearance:
 Sunway – primarily a pop, rock, and R&B singer, Sunway has extensive experience fronting bands and has worked in nightclubs, concert venues, and the corporate convention market. Born and raised in Honolulu, she quickly became known as a vocalist with an extraordinary talent. She has built her career around being able to find the meaning of a song and transmit it with honesty and true heartfelt delivery to her audience. Whether she is singing to a smaller bar crowd or to 1,000 people for a corporate event, Sunway reaches her audience on an intimate level.
She has released 3 records in Japan. She was also was the very popular co-host of Hawaii's nightly TV talk show “Nighttime w/Andy Bumatai.” In 2010 she made a music video of the Don Henley song, "The Boys of Summer" which quickly became a YouTube favorite. Sunway is currently at work on a new album, but in the mean time her fans can buy the “Boys of Summer” single on iTunes.
 Waipuna - After many years on the Hawaiian music circuit, Kale Hannahs and Matt Sproat joined forces to perform together as a duo on a tour to Japan in 2007 with Kumu Hula Noelani Chang. Kale had earned a reputation as a steady bass player and vocalist, and played and recorded with many of Hawai'i’s top musicians, including: Napua Greig, Robi Kahakalau, Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole, Weldon Kekauoha, Sean Na'auao, Pueo Pata, Aaron Sala, Hoku Zuttermeister, Holunape, Maunalua and Nā Palapalai. He was a founding member of the award winning group 'Ale'a.
Matt, from the famous Sproat family of North Kohala on Hawai’i Island, began his music career by playing Hawaiian music in Waikiki and on the cruise ship S.S. Independence. In 2003 he won the Big Island falsetto competition and was featured in the Aloha Festivals Falsetto Winners volume 5 CD. He has both studied and performed with some of the best musicians in Hawaii. He specializes in the art of falsetto singing and continues his family tradition of perpetuating the Hawaiian culture through music.
Waipuna released their first album “Mana'o Pili” in 2009, and they are currently at work on their second.
 Heart & Soul – the dynamic ‘ukulele duo of Jody Kamisato and Chris Salvador, Heart & Soul represents a new breed of music fusing island sounds with a contemporary edge. Jody is the owner of ‘Ukulele Hale, a music school dedicated to the art of ‘ukulele. Both he and Chris are instructors at the school. ‘Ukulele Hale also sponsors “’Ukes on the Loose,” an after-school community outreach program dedicated to serving Hawai`i’s youth. Through partnerships with public and private schools and social service agencies, ‘Ukes on the Loose staff members (who are carefully selected from ‘Ukulele Hale staff) identify underserved youth and develop site-specific `ukulele programs designed to meet their needs.
Performing together as Heart & Soul, Jody and Chris played the 2010 New York Ukulele Festival and received rave reviews, standing ovations and encores. They have toured Japan and also performed as special guests at the ‘Ukulele Picnic in Yokosuka. They released their debut album “Take it Easy” in 2010, which recently won the 2011 Hawai’i Music Award for Island Contemporary Album of the year.
 Eric Lee – a Nā Hōkū Hanohano and Hawai’i Music Award winner, as well as winner of the 1993 Ka Hīmeni ‘Ana competition, Eric is widely known in the Hawaiian music industry for his creative musical arrangements and desire to perpetuate the Hawaiian language. His lifelong love affair with music began at age 9 and grew as he ventured through instruments like ‘ukulele, piano, guitar, and electric & upright bass. He recorded his first CD with The Kanile‘a Collection, which included his first published Hawaiian composition, “Nā Nalu Ha‘i O Mā‘ili” (in which he jammed with one of his guitar inspirations; the legendary Peter Moon). In 1998, Eric and Brian Mersberg formed Nā Kama (later adding Danny Naipo), and over the next ten years they released four albums. He was also a member of the popular island music group, The Ka‘ala Boys, releasing three studio CDs, a Christmas single, and a greatest hits CD.
Now a full-time solo artist, he continues to compose and produce music for his own projects as well as for others. He released his debut solo album “Crossroads” in 2009, which won the 2010 Hawai‘i Music Award for Contemporary Hawaiian CD.
To thank the fans and radio stations that supported him through his burgeoning solo career, Eric recently released a CD single, “Hallelujah/Thunder Road.” He is currently completing a rock collaboration with fellow artist Peter Milo (who will join him on Pakele Live), and he begins work on his sophomore solo release this summer.
Join host Tony Solis as we close out our series of “Kōkua Japan” shows on Pakele Live! on Thursday, April 14 from 6-8:30pm HST at the Willows Restaurant (901 Hausten St., Honolulu). Admission is free, but audience members are encouraged to donate any amount they can. 100% of every donation will go to Red Cross Hawai’i to support Japan relief efforts. Those who are unable to attend can watch the live stream of each show at www.pakelelive.com. Each show will also be edited for television and shown at a later date on OC16 TV and www.oc16.tv)
You can also donate online! Click on the PayPal button on the Pakele Live! website at http://www.pakelelive.com/ or go to the Pakele Foundation® website at http://www.pakelefoundation.org/contact.php and click on the PayPal button there.
(Those donating in person at the shows will also be eligible to participate in prize giveaways.)
No reservations are required and all ages are welcome. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Doors open at 5:30.) Guests may choose from the full nightly buffet ($34.95) or an a la carte menu created especially for Pakele Live! (and available only during the show), with prices ranging from $5 to $16. Drink specials are also available. Validated valet parking is only $3.
Note: If you watch online, don’t forget to email the show at pakele @ lava.net and let us know you’re watching! Mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!
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Kōkua Japan: Waipuna/Sunway/Heart&Soul/Eric Lee
Posted - 04/14/2011 : 02:58:16 AM
