Torres Performs, Donates $1,000 to ‘Support the Keiki’

Multiple Na Hoku award winner Kuana Torres Kahele last week donated $1,000 to help feed the children at the second of a series of three fundraising concerts in Kona.

The Support the Keiki Christmas Concerts, which raise funds to ensure that children don’t go hungry during the winter school break, conclude this Wednesday at the Keauhou Shopping Center.

Torres’ donated to the cause last Wednesday as he showcased his recently released Christmas CD “Hilo for the Holidays.”

“I like this program and I like to help kids,” he said.

Torres won the 2012 Na Hoku Hanohano award for album of the year with “Kaunaloa.” That release also earned him the Na Hoku award for male vocalist of the year.

The entertainment for this week’s event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., is Aunty Lani Lee, who will perform with Na Kupuna Ali`i O Kona along with the Salvation Army Gospel Choir.

The concerts are being put on by the Salvation Army, Hawaii Island United Way and KAPA Hawaiian FM.

The concerts are free but donations are accepted. Proceeds go to a Salvation Army program that delivers lunches to children in West Hawaii during the school breaks.

The delivery is done with the assistance of the KAPA Keiki Food Truck sponsored by the radio station and Dominos of Kona, HFS Credit Union, Menehune Coffee, Islandwide Solar, Keauhou Shopping Center and The Food Basket.

The public can also donate online at kaparadio.com.

Organizers hope to feed 1,000 keiki a week during this winter school break.

In addition to the Christmas Concerts, Support the Keiki is also involved in two other annual events: a Slippah Drive and Golf Tournament in the spring to provide footwear to needy children, and a Back to School Drive in July to provide children with school supplies.