Aloha mai kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis – Waipuna CD Release Party
• Bolo – Los Angeles
• Spirit of Aloha Tour – various mainland cities
• John Cruz – Bend, OR
• Hawai’i Night at the Grammy Museum – Los Angeles
• WAIKIKI REVIVAL - Na Kumu O Ke Ola – Waikiki
• Nā Hōkū O Hawai’i Music Festival – O’ahu

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This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis we’re hosting a CD release party for Waipuna, with special guests Weldon Kekauoha (with Bryan Tolentino and Alika Boy IV), the Waipuna Dancers, and joining Waipuna on stage, Chino Montero, Kellen Paik, and Greg Sardinha.

Waipuna (Kale Hannahs of the award–winning group ‘Ale‘a and Matt Sproat, winner of the Hawai‘i Island Falsetto Contest) is celebrating the release of their debut album Mana‘o Pili. The album is a showcase for both their harmonies and their individual voices, and features traditional songs, more recent songs, and several originals – including one each by Matt and Kale, and one by Kale’s sister and future brother-in-law (Lihau Hannahs and Kellen Paik – also known as the award-winning group Kupaoa!). In addition, because Waipuna always features hula in their performances, the album was recorded with the dancers in mind. A number of musicians lent their support to the album, three of whom are joining them on the Pakele stage (Chino, Kellen and Greg).

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! this Thursday, January 21, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). Although admission is free, your purchase of two drinks or soft drinks will help ensure the continuation of the Pakele Live! concert series. All ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center.

You may also watch live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/Those in Japan can watch at: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/

You may email the show at pakele@lava.net – mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!
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Big Island slack key guitar/’ukelele artist Bolo has made it through the initial rounds and will be in Los Angeles on Saturday, January 23 to try for a spot on NBC’s America's Got Talent! At this stage the producers look for audience support as well as talent, so if you’re in the Southern California area, show him some support and help him get on the show by going to the Los Angeles Convention Center (1201 S. Figueroa St.) and cheering him on! It's free - all you need is I.D. (He doesn't know what time he'll be on - NBC films all day, and the host will be interviewing random people, so dress eye- and camera-catching!)
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The Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau, Hawaiian Airlines and Marriott Hotels have launched another “Spirit of Aloha” tour, where a bus travels the country “bringing the sights and sounds of Hawai’i to the mainland.” Entertainment will again be provided by performers from the Polynesian Cultural Center, as well as American Idol finalist Jasmine Trias. The schedule is as follows – unfortunately, no specific locations or times were provided, although you might try following them on Facebook:

January 19-20 Phoenix
January 22-24 Dallas
January 25 San Antonio
January 26 Houston
January 28-29 Atlanta
January 30-31 Charlotte
February 1 Nashville
February 2 St. Louis
February 3 Omaha
February 5-7 Denver
February 9 Salt Lake City
February 11-12 Los Angeles

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John Cruz will play at Sliver Moon Brewing (24 NW Greenwood Ave) in Bend, OR on January 27 at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 advance, $12 door. 21+
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Friday, January 29 is Hawai’i Night at the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. Live (800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles). Some of the nominees for the 2010 Grammy in the Best Hawaiian Music Album category will perform, including Tia Carrere, Daniel Ho, Amy Hanaiali'i (with John Cruz), George Kahumoku, Jr., and Jeff Petersen. Doors open at 7:30pm. Admission is free to the public. Museum members receive priority admission. To reserve tickets, please call 213.765.6830 or e-mail programs@grammymuseum.org.

(Note: Mention your Hawai’i Night attendance and receive 20% off dinner items at Trader Vic's! Offer does not apply to alcohol, merchandise, tip or tax.)
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The Kumuola Foundation and OHA present the WAIKIKI REVIVAL - Na Kumu O Ke Ola on Saturday, Jan. 30 from 10am-8pm at the International Marketplace in Waikiki. The event is free and features cultural practitioners, master artisans, workshops, demonstrations and music and hula performances all day! Performers include Melveen Leed, Rodney Cazimero, Keale, the Kumuola Serenaders, Mailani, Vaitea Roa, Tony C. and Brother Noland.
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The Academy of Hawaiian Arts has announced the creation of a four-day music festival leading up to the 2010 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Scheduled for Thursday May 27 through the day of the Awards (Sunday May 30), the Nā Hōkū O Hawai’i Music Festival will include live music, vendors, exhibitions, and a wide variety of workshops, including Music Law for Musicians, Distribution, Promotion, Meet the Artists, Traditional Hawaiian Instruments in Contemporary Recordings, Hula & Music, and much more. For more information and updates, visit the Festival website.
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Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!