Friday, April 23, 2010

Live from Honolulu: Seattle Gay News at Kokua Festival on island of Oahu



Aloha, y'all.

Albert Rodriguez here from Seattle Gay News, burnt to a crisp from the 85-degree weather in Waikiki Beach on the island of Oahu.

We're celebrating Earth Day with Jack Johnson, the pro surfer-turned-Grammy nominated singer-songwriter. He'll take the stage at 7:45pm tonight, and tomorrow night, for the 2010 Kokua Festival at the Waikiki Shell.

This is the eco-friendliest music festival in the US, with ALL proceeds benefiting environmental education projects, like recyling programs in public schools and a plastic-free campaign throughout the state of Hawaii. Aimed at keeping our planet cleaner and beautiful, the Kokua Festival pairs great music with a good cause - needless to say, both nights of the event are sold out.

The lineup for this year's bash is Jack Johnson, Ziggy Marley, Taj Mahal, Jake Shimabukuro and local newbie Anuhea. Last we heard, Shimabukuro (who shared the stage with Bette Midler earlier this year in front of the Queen of England) was en route to Honolulu from Paris, one of the many travelers stranded due to the volcanic ash clouds over Europe.

Set times are: Anuhea (4:30pm), Jake Shimabukuro (5:15pm), Tah Mahal & The Hula Blues Band (6:05pm), Ziggy Marley (7:00pm), and Jack Johnson (7:45pm).

I'm headed to the festival in just a bit, but first... a dip in the "adults only" infinity pool at the Sheraton Waikiki and then some Hawaiian Shave Ice, a favorite snack of the locals.

Happy Earth Day from sunny, very warm Oahu!

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