LIHU‘E — Two Grammy-nominated guitarists and a kumu hula are set to perform at Kaua‘i Beach Resort the first weekend of May.
The two-hour concert in the resort’s Jasmine Ballroom is held by The Mokihana Club, the oldest women’s service organization on Kaua‘i. All proceeds go to nursing and music scholarships for the island’s students.
It won’t be the first time The Mokihana Club has hosted Jeff Peterson and Keola and Moanalani Beamer.
“When they performed for us three years ago, it was a magical concert,” concert committee chair Elyse Litvack told The Garden Island. “People floated out of the building, basically. It was really wonderful.”
Peterson and Keola Beamer are award-winning musicians honored by the Native Arts &Cultures Foundation for their commitment to Hawaiian slack-key guitar. Moanalani Beamer, Keola’s spouse, is an accomplished hula dancer and chanter.
But the three billed artists won’t play alone. A fourth, local acoustic bass player Maluhia Castillo, is now set to join Keola Beamer for a portion of the concert.
The show, called “a salute to nurses as Heroes During the Pandemic” by organizers, offers general seating for $55 and Gold Circle seats for $80. It will be accompanied by a silent auction on Malama Auctions.
The auction running May 1 through May 10, like the May 7 concert, will fund The Mokihana Club’s community initiatives.
“Being able to give nursing scholarships is is wonderful,” Litvack said. “And right now, we really see the importance of our nurses, and need to make sure that we’re helping educate more nurses.”
The Mokihana Club has awarded more than 150 scholarships totaling nearly $200,000 over the past few years, according to a press release. This year’s goal is to award $30,000 in scholarships.
The community organization had cataloged more than 135 auction items at press time. More items will be added.
“We have a gamut of things: art, wearables, household items, jewelry … restaurant gift certificates, local activities,” Litvack said. “Items start at $25.”
For more information about the concert, tickets and silent auction, contact themokihanaclub@gmail.com.
Few Gold Circle seats were available at time of writing, according to Litvack.
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Scott Yunker, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
