Chicago in Hawaii!

Grammy Award winners Chicago will perform in Hawaii as part of their 2012-2013 world tour, with shows at the Blaisdell Arena on Friday, January 11th, Kona’s Waikoloa Bowl on Saturday, January 12th, and at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center’s A&B Amphitheater on Tuesday, January 15th.  All shows start at 7:30pm.

Chicago, one of America’s most dynamic, high-energy bands, has had an amazing 25 Top Forty singles and 5 consecutive #1 albums; they are among Billboard’s Top 100 artists of all time at #13.  With 33 albums to their credit, Chicago is the first American band to chart Top 40 albums across five decades, with 25 of them certified platinum.  Worldwide, their music has sold more than 100 million records.

Tickets for all shows go on sale this Friday, November 16th at:

BLAISDELL ARENA

Reserved tickets are priced at $75, $55 and $45.  On sale at 9am at Blaisdell Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets including Walmart.  Charge by phone at (800) 745-3000, or order online at www.ticketmaster.com.

WAIKOLOA BOWL

General Admission tickets are priced at $65 and $49.  On sale at 9am at CD Wizard in Hilo, Parker Ranch Store in Waimea, KBXtreme in Kona and Persimmon at Queens’ MarketPlace, or Ticketmaster outlets at Walmart in Hilo and Kona.  A limited number of reserved section $95 tickets are available online only at ticketmaster.com or waikoloanights.com.

MAUI ARTS & CULTURAL CENTER

Reserved tickets are priced at $75, $55 and $45, with a limited number of premiere seats at $125.  On sale to MACC Members at 10am at the MACC Box Office, online at mauiarts.org, or by phone at (808) 242-7469.  General public sales begin Saturday, November 24rd.

Queens’ MarketPlace Invites Folks to the “Lights On” Festival

As the holidays approach, Queens’ MarketPlace launches the season of celebration with lights, music and more, Saturday, November 17, from 3-8 p.m.  Teamed up with WAVE 92.1, Hawai’i Island’s newest radio station, the fun free festivities include prize giveaways, live bands, and the countdown to “lights on,” when the touch of a switch brings the entire mall aglow with thousands of sparkling lights.

Live entertainment takes place all afternoon and evening at the Coronation Pavilion—from the sweet Hawaiian sounds of The Kupuka‘as, to Mystik Rhythmz’ blues, funk, reggae and pop hits, and the laid back, rhythm-based rock originals of Life In Pursuit.  Radio personalities from WAVE 92.1 FM will be on hand to introduce the station with a live remote and rewards for new and future fans.

“It’s a time to have some fun as a community, just as the holiday bustle begins,” said Waikoloa Beach Resort Vice President of Operations Scott Head.  “We’re inviting the entire community, visitors and residents, to come to Queens’ MarketPlace, enjoy the music, grab a bite to eat, visit the shops, meet the folks from the new radio station, and help us countdown to the  moment when the whole mall lights up.  Look up, take a breath, and really appreciate the fact that this is just a great place to be—especially during the holidays.”

Since it opened in 2007, Queens’ MarketPlace in Waikoloa Beach Resort has earned a reputation among visitors and kama’āina as “the gathering place of the Kohala Coast,” full of shopping opportunities, services and great food, along with entertainment and arts programs, movies under the stars and large-scale concerts in Waikoloa Bowl at Queens’ Gardens.  For more information, visit www.QueensMarketPlace.net or call 886-8822.

 

Wordless Wednesday – Coast Guard Flying Around Kapoho on the Big Island

Earlier today I saw a Coast Guard helicopter flying around the Kapoho area of the Big Island.  I’ve tried to contact the Coast Guard to see what it was about but I just received an answering machine.

Here is a picture I took from my iPhone.  You can just barely make out the helicopter:

Anyone know what was going on?

Public Invited to Free Pāhoa Art Exhibit November 26

The County of Hawai‘i’s new Pāhoa Senior Center will host its inaugural art exhibit from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, November 26.

The new gate to the Pahoa Senior Center

Holiday pupu will be served at the free event, which will feature art work presented by eight students of the county’s SoulCollage® classes. Parking will be available at the adjacent Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility.

As a way of discovering their inner wisdom, SoulCollage students create deeply personal cards that help them navigate through life. These unique cards will be shown for display purposes only and will not be available for purchase.

The exhibit will give students and the class facilitator an opportunity to share the SoulCollage experience with the public.  A new 10-week SoulCollage class will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays at the Pāhoa Senior Center starting January 7, 2013.

People interested in registering for the next class may call Valarie Matinjussi at 965-6000 or email her at valariematinjussi@yahoo.com.

Big Island Police Searching for Missing 15-Year-Old Hilo Boy

Big Island police are searching for a 15-year-old Hilo boy who was reported missing.

Jonah Farmer

Jonah Farmer was last seen in Hilo on Saturday (November 10). He is described as 5-foot-10, 145 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.

Police ask that anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Police Department’s non-emergency line at 935-3311.

Tipsters who prefer to remain anonymous may call Crime Stoppers at 961-8300 in Hilo or 329-8181 in Kona. All Crime Stoppers information is kept confidential.

“Get A Job” – Kamaaina Rates Now Available

*Editors note* I just got my copy of Get A Job on DVD.

Even my dogs want a piece of the action!

“GET A JOB,” Hawaii’‘s first award winning major motion picture comedy starring Willie K, Eric Gilliom, Augie T, and many of the island’s top entertainers and musicians, is now available on DVD and is quickly becoming the hottest christmas gift and stocking stuffer in Hawaii and beyond.

Both the Movie and Soundtrack are available for purchase online at www.GetAJobMovie.com, and fans can save 10% on their purchases by using the special discount code “KAMAAINA.”

Honolulu Star-Advertiser film critic Burl Burlingame says the movie is “Undeniably funny.” Impressed by the quality of the all-Hawaii production team, he adds “… in sheer filmmaking technique, it’s a masterpiece.”

Entertainer and Honolulu Midweek reporter Kaleo Pilanca observes “This movie is for everybody or anybody who wants to laugh and not take life too seriously.” Asked if he would buy the DVD, he replies “Yes. I would send it to all my relatives who live on the mainland. This would help them with homesickness.”

Regarding the motion picture Soundtrack in his Island Mele column, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s Jon Berger raves “‘Get A Job’ sings with fun, creativity, and versatility.”

Maui Time’s Anu Yagi states “GET A JOB” has broken boundaries, proving it’s possible to create a quality Hawaii story, by Hawaii people.” She continues, “From the flicker of the first few frames, “GET A JOB” is going to change everything anyone’s ever thought about locally made films.”

Producer Brian Kohne… with Big Island Film Festival Director Leo Sears and Actor/Musician Eric Gilliom

“(Writer/director) Kohne took inspiration from vintage screwball comedies like ‘It’s a Mad Mad World,’ where chaos is the starting point and things get crazier from there,” reports Maui News film critic Rick Chatenever. “It’s a madcap comedy, a throwback to the zaniness of Hope and Crosby, Martin and LEwis, Abbott and Costello.”

“GET A JOB” on DVD stars Willie K, Eric Gilliom, and Augie T, Jake Shimabukuro, Carolyn Omine, Henry Kapono, Amy Hanaiali’i, the late Charles Ka’upu, Ernie Cruz Jr., Kealoha, and Kathy Collins, with cameos by Mick Fleetwood, Willie Nelson, and Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers. The movie was written/directed by Maui’s Brian Kohne, produced by Stefan Schaefer, and features a tropical soundtrack by the Barefoot Natives. Produced entirely in Hawaii by islanders, the ground breaking feature film previously screened in theaters throughout Hawaii, on the mainland, and in countries such as Spain, India, and Cambodia, winning top prizes in many of the Festivals in which it competed. The movie is available for purchase at www.GetAJobMovie.com.

Jesse Sapolu Book Signing & Auction to Benefit the Hawaii Island United Way

Four-time San Francisco 49ers Super Bowl champion, Jesse Sapolu, will be signing copies of his new book, “I Gave My Heart to San Francisco” at Cronies Bar & Grill in Hilo on Tuesday, December 4, 2012, from 4:30-7:00pm.

In his recently released book, the former Farrington High School and University of Hawaii-Manoa football standout who spent his entire 15 year NFL career in a San Francisco 49ers uniform, details the highlights and hardships of his remarkable playing career.

Sapolu triumphed on the field despite having a dangerous heart condition, a torn aortic heart valve, that stayed with him during his 15-year career which included nine appearances in the NFC title game, four Super Bowl rings, two Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro selections.

Emcee for the evening will be B-97 Radio Morning Personality, Darrin “DC” Carlson. At around 6:30pm, Jesse and DC will auction off San Francisco 49ers merchandise with proceeds going to the Hawaii Island United Way. Items to be auctioned off include a grand prize package including tickets for two to a 49ers football game, pre-game field passes and tailgate party with Jesse!

Other activities during the book-signing include a silent auction and door prizes. The first 50 attendees will receive an autographed photo of Jesse. Proceeds from the auctions will benefit the Hawaii Island United Way. The NFL is a strong supporting partner of the United Way movement across the United States.

Roman Sapolu

Football fans of all ages are invited to come and meet and talk story with Jesse. Sapolu’s youngest son, Roman, is a sophomore center at Oregon State University. For information, go to www.hiuw.org.