May 26, 2005
MEDIA CONTACT: Caroline Witherspoon
or Jocelyn Collado
Becker Communications
(808) 533-4165
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAUNALUA TO KICK-OFF BISHOP MUSEUM’S MOONLIGHT MELE CONCERT SERIES
HONOLULU— Bishop Museum’s Moonlight Mele on the Lawn Concert Series, presented by Bank of Hawaii, kicks-off on Thursday, June 16, 2005, with Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning Maunalua. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $15 for the general public; $10 for Bank of Hawai‘i customers and employees and Bishop Museum members; and $5 for children 4-12 years of age. Call 847-3511 for tickets and information.
Maunalua will treat fans to selections from its newest CD, “Kuleana,” the follow up to 2001 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Best Hawaiian Album of the Year, “Maunalua.” Nearly a decade of playing together has honed the musical skills of group members Bobby Moderow, Jr., Raymond Kane, Kahi Kaonohi, and Bruce Spencer who continue to further their efforts to uphold and preserve the Hawaiian music culture. Even the name of their new album, “Kuleana,” speaks to their sense of responsibility for preserving the traditional music of the islands, while giving it a fresh contemporary style.
Opening the concert will be the music group Round and Round, a new contemporary trio on Hawai‘i’s local music scene. The group’s first release, “Our Fire,” is quickly winning over fans with its feel good, laid back island sound. Band members are Kekoa Young on vocals and guitar, A.J. Kumukoa on bass and background vocals, and Nate Mata on ‘ukulele. Also catch a special appearance from local music mainstay, Braddah Smitty. Smitty, who has played with music legends Gabby Pahinui, Sonny Chillingworth, and Eddie Kamae, will bring his special blend of traditional Hawaiian music and soul to the Moonlight Mele stage.
Concert-goers are encouraged to arrive early for optimal seating and to visit the Museum’s exhibit galleries that will be open until 7 p.m. May’s Hawaii, Hawaiian Style Chili Co., Hole-E-Cow, and Gordon Biersch will offer delicious food and beverage. Moonlight Mele also is sponsored by Hawaiian 105 KINE, Horizon Lines, Papa John’s Hawaii, Gordon Biersch, Hawaiian Telcom, Kau Inoa, Ashley Furniture HomeStore, and Art & Signs.
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‘āina, seniors and military; children under 4 years and Bishop Museum Members are free. For information, call 847-3511 or visit www.bishopmuseum.org