Reminder: Wiwoʻole Maui Benefit Concert to be live-streamed until 3:30 p.m. today
“Wiwoʻole” in native Hawaiian means “fearless, brave, bold and courageous.”
Amid the crisis after devastating wildfires swept across West Maui on Aug. 8, the unifying and healing power of mele (music) has summoned Maui’s celebrated recording artists, including Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano winners, and hula hālau to gather to help those impacted.
The Wiwoʻole Maui Benefit Concert (Livestream) from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. today.
“We need mele to help heal our people!!!” three-time Grammy-winning Hawaiian singer/songwriter Kalani Pe’a, who is one of the participating artists in today’s benefit concert, said in a recent Facebook post.
Presented by the Grand Wailea resort, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, KITV4 News and Pacific Media Group, the benefit concert will be emceed by Malika Dudley and live-streamed worldwide from the resort and across the social media of participating artists.
The concert is raising essential disaster relief funds to support and sustain the victims of the Maui wildfires, one of which destroyed historic Lahaina. The blaze that razed the town that was the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1820-45 is the deadliest wildfire in the past 100 years in the United States, with the death toll as of Friday night at 114.
Proceeds from the concert will be stewarded through Native Hawaiian nonprofit ‘Āina Momona and the Maui Strong Fund of the Hawai’i Community Foundation.
Participating artists and hula hālau and their social media include:
- Amy Hānaiali’i, @hanaialii.
- Cody Pueo Pata, @kumupu.
- Ekolu, @ekolumusic.
- Hoaka, @hoakamusic.
- Kalani Peʻa, @kalanipeamusic.
- Kanekoa, @kanekoamusic.
- Kamaka Kūkona, @kamaka_kukona.
- Kimié Miner, @playkimie.
- Kūikawa, @kuikawa_music.
- Piʻilani Arias, @piilanimusic.
- Raiatea Helm, @raiateamusic.
- Waiolohia, @waiolohiamusic.
- Hālau O Ka Hanu Lehua, Kumu hula Kamaka Kūkona, @halau_o_ka_hanu_lehua.
- Hālau Kekuaokalāʻauʻalaʻiliahi, Nā kumu hula ʻIliahi and Haunani Paredes, @kekuaokalaauailiahi.
- Hālau NĀ Lei Kaumaka O Uka, Kumu hula Nāpua Silva, @napuamusic.
“May our music be healing to your hearts,” Pe’a said in another Facebook post.
You can find additional information, including how to access the livestream and a route to directly donate, by clicking here.
For more information as to how you can help in other ways to provide aid, click here