July 6, 2004 MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon Becker Communications (808) 533-4165 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE NA LEO PILIMEHANA TO TAKE CENTER STAGE AT BISHOP MUSEUM'S JULY MOONLIGHT MELE ON THE LAWN HONOLULU — Bank of Hawai‘i presents the second of three popular Moonlight Mele on the Lawn concerts at Bishop Museum on Thursday, July 15, 2004. Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning trioNa Leo Pilimehana will sing their “Chalangalang” blues and melodic harmonies for crowds gathered on the Museum’s Great Lawn.

In addition to Na Leo Pilimehana, guests will enjoy cultural demonstrations showcasing indigenous drums and flutes presented by the Bishop Museum Association Council’s Cultural Initiatives Committee. Starting at 6 p.m., an international representation of entertainers from Hawai‘i , Korea, Japan, and the Cook Islands will perform, including Robert Herr and Steven Casario on Japanese Flutes, Calvin Hoe on Hawaiian Nose Flutes, Kukahili on Pahu Drums, Myong Woo Dahn on Korean Drums and Te Akaora on Cook Island Drums.

Na Leo Pilimehana, in Hawaiian meaning the voices blending together in warmth, is comprised of Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales. The three multi-talented women came together in seventh grade as best friends while still attending Kamehameha Schools. They had their first hit as seniors in 1984 when they entered Hawai‘i's youth talent contest, "Brown Bags to Stardom," with their original song, "Local Boys." The next year, the hit single won the prestigious Na Hoku Hanohano Award, and became the best-selling single in Hawaiian history, a record that stands today. In 1993, the group released "Friends," another Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning song. Their collective talent has since won 21 Hoku awards and been in the top 20 Adult Contemporary charts nationally.

Presented by the Bank of Hawai‘i and supported, in part, by Hawaiian 105 KINE and Horizon Lines, Moonlight Mele on the Lawn celebrates music from the 1940s to the popular sounds of today.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Admission to Moonlight Mele on the Lawn is $15 for the general public; $10 for Bank of Hawai‘i customers, employees and Bishop Museum members; and $5 for children 4-12 years of age. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Bishop Museum.

Concert-goers are encouraged to arrive early for optimal seating and to visit the Museum’s newest exhibits, Scream Machines, Dr. Hillebrand in Hawai ‘ i and Seasons of Life and Land. Local-style food and beverages will be available from Natsunoya Tea House and Gordon Biersch to create the ultimate sunset picnic on the Great Lawn.

A treasured resource of Hawaiian history and heritage Bishop Museum was founded in 1889 by Charles Reed Bishop as a tribute to his wife Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, the last descendant of the royal Kamehameha dynasty. Located at 1525 Bernice Street, the Museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14.95 for adults; $11.95 for youth 4-12 years, special rates for kama‘aina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Association members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org.