‘Rainy Day’ concert to benefit guests of Salvation Army Hilo Overnight Safe Space

A Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy student is turning her senior capstone project into meaningful action, inspired by a desire to serve her community.

Samantha Fortney is coordinating a special “Rainy Day” Benefit Concert on Thursday (March 5) to help raise funds for the purchase of useful items for guests of The Salvation Army Hilo Temple Corps Overnight Safe Space.

The shelter — opened in 2024 — provides 50 beds with hot meals, showers and on-site case manager support for people experiencing homelessness.

Fortney visited the safe space and was moved by the care provided to kūpuna and other community members facing difficult circumstances.

“Having grown up in Hilo, I wanted my capstone project to respond to a real need right here,” she said in an announcement for the upcoming concert. “I met with shelter staff to ask what items were most urgently requested. Learning that many individuals walk around town barefoot and frequently endure heavy rains, I focused a fundraiser on providing slippers and umbrellas.”

Fortney reached out to local musicians to bring her idea to life.

Guitarist Farzad Azard, renowned for blending flamenco, jazz and global musical influences, immediately offered to perform at no cost and will joined fellow guitarist Yoshua DiCaprio.

Their generosity helped transform a school project into purposeful community support.

All event proceeds will contribute to a cause that brings warmth and care to some of Hawai’i Island’s most vulnerable residents.

Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 onsite at the Blue Dragon Tavern venue. Children 12 and younger are free. They can be purchased at the Blue Dragon website.

The show starts at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the show starts at 6 p.m., with 2 hours of live music and then an hour of dancing from 8 to 9 p.m.

Blue Dragon Tavern is located at 61-3616 Kawaihae Road in Kawaihae.