Amy Hanaialii, a Hawaiian music legend with a captivating family history, returns to the Big Island Saturday for a benefit performance in South Kohala.
Hanaialii takes the stage at 4 p.m. at Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel. The concert is a scholarship fundraiser for HPAF’s 2018 Summer Festival students.
Hanaialii, a five-time Granny Award nominee, has a long history in Hawaiian entertainment circles. Her grandmother, Jennie Napua Hanaialii Woodd, was a star of Hawaiian music and dance in the last century. Woodd was one of the “Royal Hawaiian Girls” who entertained at the iconic pink palace on the shores of Waikiki starting in 1930. She then went on to the popular Hawaiian Room at the Lexington Hotel in New York City, where she inspired love of Hawaiian culture and music. She worked in Hollywood and even taught Shirley Temple how to hula. And she was instrumental in creating a popular Hawaiian review at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas.
“When I contacted Amy about performing on behalf of HPAF and told her about the Festival and what we do, she enthusiastically agreed, recalling the value of her own college performing arts training. To this day she continues to take voice lessons,” said Genette Freeman, HPAF Director of Development.
Hanaialii has become a Hawaiian music legend in her own right. Winner of 22 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, she is also an accomplished businesswoman, with her own line of signature wines. Her wines will be featured at the Saturday concert.
Tickets are $60 for general admission, $95 for upfront seating, which includes a reception for the artist after the concert.
Info/purchase tickets: Visit www.hawaiiperformingartsfestival.org or call 333-7378.