Nā Hōkū Hoe: The Paddling Stars Talent Show

Big Island community members are invited to a powerful and inspiring evening with adults of all abilities sharing their talents in an effort to raise funds in support of ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima canoe club athletes and the programs that uplift them.

Nā Hōkū Hoe: The Paddling Stars Talent Show is a one-of-a-kind celebration of confidence, connection and the spirit of aloha that defines nonprofit ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima.

The special event is slated for 5 to 7:30 p.m. today at Aunty Sally’s Lūʻau Hale in Hilo, featuring incredible talents of canoe club members and the community that supports it for an unforgettable night of music, dance and performance.

A light dinner also will be provided, plus groups and organizations that serve intellectually and developmentally disabled community members will be available with resource tables, sharing information about their services.

It’s a vibrant showcase of all art forms — including visual arts, crafts and creative expressions of every kind — so there will even be a display of artwork by artists with disabilities.

Talents to be featured on stage during this groundbreaking showcase include singing, sword art, dance and comedy, all shining a light on inclusion and the passion to perform.

It’s more than a performance — it’s a celebration of belonging and the bright light within every athlete.

Performers showing off their incredible talents are Daylan Toribio, Hendrix Aki, Kauila Haumea, Josiah Banks, Robbie Sanoria, Tai Mareko, Teresa Moore and Team Unstoppable.

A generous donation by Grand Naniloa Hotel allowed the canoe club to increase capacity for the showcase, so more tickets were made available.

There were still 56 tickets remaining by shortly after 2 p.m. today.

“We are beyond thankful for this community support that allows us to welcome even more people to celebrate, uplift and support ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima,” wrote the canoe club in a Thursday morning (Feb. 19) Facebook post.

General admission is just $20; keiki 12 years old and younger are free.

ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima is also committed to ensuring everyone who wants to be part of the special night is able to share in the joy, talent and camaraderie of its paddling ʻohana, too — standing by a motto of “Together, we paddle forward – ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia” — so those who want to attend but need an alternative or special arrangement for admission can register for an Aloha Ticket.

So if you’ve been meaning to RSVP or still need to grab a ticket, don’t wait!

You can purchase general admission tickets and register for Aloha Tickets online in advance of tonight’s show.

All proceeds from the showcase support ‘Ohana Wa‘a Laulima’s year-round programs that empower athletes of all abilities to reach for the stars.

If you can’t make it to the show and still want to help, you can make an online donation to support the event and ‘Ohana Wa‘a Laulima.

But while contributions are greatly appreciated and directly enhance the experience the canoe club can offer, it has created an evening where everyone feels welcome to join in the celebration and hopes as many people as possible will turn out for the fun.

“Let’s fill the room with aloha, music and community,” wrote the canoe club in its Thursday morning Facebook post.

The benefit showcase is sponsored by Abled Hawai‘i Artists, The Episcopal Church of the Holy Apostles, Autism Moms of Kona and Full Life.

“It is a very worthwhile event and helps these young athletes in their canoeing club,” wrote Jodenez Naturalz in a post in the Hilo Happenings group on Facebook, sharing information about tonight’s show. “Please come and support them.”

Find additional information about the event and ‘Ohana Wa‘a Laulima at the canoe club website.

“Come cheer, celebrate and shine with us,” wrote ʻOhana Waʻa Laulima in its Facebook event invite for the show.

Big Island Now reporter Nathan Christophel contributed to this story.