Whale Day Celebration to feature free performances by C&K and other award-winning musicians

02/04/2010

Whale Day Celebration to Feature Free Performances by Cecilio and Kapono and Other Award-Winning Musicians

30th Annual Whale Day Celebration  to Take Place on Saturday, February 20

Ma’alaea, HI –  The 30th Annual Whale Day Celebration, will take place on Saturday, February 20 at Kalama Park in Kihei. This very special anniversary event will feature free performances by a lineup of top entertainers from Hawaii, with legendary duo Cecilio and Kapono as the headline act, as well as a wide array of food from top local restaurants and events for the whole family.

“2010 marks the 30th anniversary of Whale Day and Pacific Whale Foundation,” says events coordinator Ashley Justice. “We are so excited to offer such an amazing and diverse roster of entertainers, restaurants, events and activities this year, and grateful for their enthusiastic support for an event that supports marine education and Maui’s humpback whales.”
 
Whale Day is a free all-day celebration in the park, offering the public a unique opportunity to watch performances by top recording artists (many of whom are multiple award winners) at no cost, to sample offerings from a wide range of popular restaurants, and to enjoy events including a Made in Maui vendor fair, a children’s carnival, an exhibit of 34,000 origami whales, the Parade of Whales, the Wild and Wonderful Whale Regatta, a silent auction, environmental displays and much more.
 
This year’s performers also include Na Leo, Anuhea, John Cruz (performing with bassist Hutch Hutchinson of Bonnie Raitt’s band), George Kahumoku, Jr. and Marty Dread, with KAOI radio star and comedian Augie T serving as the special guest emcee.

“This year’s Whale Day Celebration features incredible artists, food and events,” says Kaufman. “It will definitely be don’t miss event!”

Here are the details about the musicians who will be taking the stage:
 
Cecilio and Kapono: music legends Cecilio Rodriguez and Henry Kapono have been composing and playing music together in Hawaii and around the world since 1973. This internationally recognized and multiple award-winning duo have played innumerable sold-out concerts in Hawaii and shared the stage with such artists as Santana, Peter Frampton, and many others. Many of their hit songs have become local standards, well-known and loved by three generations of fans. Their first all-new studio recording in 20 years is now available in stores. For more information about Cecilio and Kapono, visit http://www.ceciliokapono.com.
 

Na Leo: Na Leo Pilimehana (“voices blending together in warmth”) is the most award-winning and highest selling female Hawaiian music group in the world. They are the first group from Hawaii to successfully cross the line between Hawaiian music and the adult contemporary music format. Childhood friends Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales compose, perform and record their own music and run their own record label. Na Leo has received 22 Na Hoku Hanohano awards for their work. For more information about Na Leo, visit http://www.naleo.net.
 
Anuhea: Maui native, songwriter and self-taught guitarist Rylee Anuheake’alaokalokelani Jenkins’ music blends engaging lyrics with acoustic soul, pop and reggae into a unique style that has earned her a reputation as Hawaii’s newest rising star. Her first album released in 2009, and has already earned her a nationwide following. For more information on Anuhea, visit http://www.anuheajams.com.
 
John Cruz: Trained in musical genres ranging from country to musical theater, Honolulu native Cruz returned to Hawaii from the East Coast in 1995 and immersed himself in contemporary Hawaiian music. His second album, “One of these Days,” was released in 2007 to critical acclaim and incredible popular success in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific Region. He is the recipient of three Na Hoku Hanohano awards. In 2009 he performed at the Hawaii States Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C.
 
John will be performing with Hutch Hutchinson, bass player and vocalist from the Bonnie Raitt Band. Hutch has also worked as a studio musician with a long list of artists, including The Neville Brothers, Crosby, Stills and Nash, B.B. King, Elton John, Ziggy Marley, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, and many, many others, as well as working on film and television projects. For more information about John Cruz, visit http://www.johncruz.com. For more on Hutch Hutchinson, visit http://www.bonnieraitt.com/bio_hutch.php.
 
George Kahumoku, Jr.: The winner of four Grammy awards, George is one of Hawai’i’s best-known performers of slack key guitar music. He has been performing professionally since the age of 12. A respected slack key master, George’s audiences have included the Queen of England, Premier of China, and Prince of Thailand. For more information about George Kahumoku, Jr., visit http://www.kahumoku.com.

Marty Dread: Local reggae star Marty Dread describes his music as “a cross between Maxi Priest and Garnet Silk with a splash of Bob Marley.” Marty has performed around the world with such greats as Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and reggae legend Pato Banton. His work has earned him two Na Hoku Hanohano award nominations. Marty also hosts Pacific Whale Foundation’s weekly “Island Music Sunset Cocktail Cruise.” For more information about Marty, visit http://www.martydread.com.
 
Local comedian and radio star Augie T will serve as MC for Whale Day. Augie was recently voted “Entertainer of the Year” by Midweek and Honolulu Star Bulletin. He hosts popular local radio shows on Q103 and KHEI, and is the winner of two Na Hoku Hanohano awards. The celebration will kick off in the morning with a traditional Hawaiian blessing and an opening ceremony featuring Pacific Whale Foundation Founder and Executive Director Greg Kaufman, Mayor Charmaine Tavares (who will also serve as Grand Marshal for the Parade of Whales), Senator Roz Baker, and County Councilmembers Jo Anne Johnson and Michael Victorino. A performance by hula halau Na Pua Melia will follow the opening ceremony.
 
Whale Day will also feature food booths by popular Maui restaurants including Spago, Maui Brewing Co., Kahului Ale House, Beach Bums, Alexander’s Fish and Chips, Shaka Pizza, Long Boards at the  Marriott Maui Ocean Club, Maui Kazowie, Taqueria Cruz, Maui Masala, Cold Stone Creamery, Paradise Tropical Ice, Green Onion Cake Co., Shaka Pizza, Maui Oriental Market Sam Sushi, Orchid Thai and Zia Maria’s Gelato.
 
“You can come to Whale Day and enjoy a fantastic brunch or lunch, as well as an early dinner,” says Ashley Justice, Event Coordinator at Pacific Whale Foundation. “You’ll find everything from Keawe smoked BBQ pulled pork sandwiches to Cajun grilled veggie tacos, from pizza and three beer chili to chicken tikka masala and sushi. We’ll have classic festival favorites like shave ice, cotton candy and kettle corn, as well as Italian ice, gelato and smoothies. No matter what you’re craving, you’re sure to find it at Whale Day!”

Whale Day will also feature a huge “Made on Maui” fair displaying the work of about 100 local artisans, fun-filled children's activities, silent auction, the Wild and Wonderful Whale Regata, skateboarding competition for kids and displays about the environment and whales. The “Curtain of Whales” will be back, featuring 34,000 origami whales, created to raise awareness about the threat of whaling.

Whale Day begins with the Parade of Whales at 9 am, with Maui County Mayor Charmaine Tavares as the Grand Marshall. The parade follows South Kihei Road, beginning at Alanui Keali’i Drive, then proceeds north along South Kihei Road past Kalama Park, and ends at the Kihei Public Library on Waimahaihai Street.

Whale Day is part of the 2010 Maui Whale Festival. All proceeds from Whale Day and all Maui Whale Festival events go to support marine education programs for Maui’s schoolchildren. For more information, call Pacific Whale Foundation at (808) 249-8811, or visit www.mauiwhalefestival.org.