Aloha everyone!!!

Whew! Getting from Mililani to the airport to catch a plane to Kona was a lot like one of the travel sequences in the HBO show “Entourage.” But we arrived safe and sound and in the middle of “vog-ville.” The cloud of particulate matter and sulfur dioxide from Halema’uma’u Crater made the landing approach look more like a bad day in Los Angeles than a good day in Kona! It was pretty dense vog over “vog-ville.”

But none of that damped the spirits of the crowd at Kona! At least two people who came to the Hilo performance drove 21/2 hours to Kona to see me again and get more chocolate boxes signed! The Walmart staff including Rose and Rachel were so fun and “country!” - And by that I mean, they liked to scream - happy screams - a lot when I sang!

In Kona, two ladies from the mainland happened to be in the store when I was on stage. She later bought 6 boxes to take back with her and her friend did the same. She confessed that she had all of my CDs already, which she listens to when she is home in California. She said, “Your music brings me such peace.”

I think that is really the special “gift” Hawaiian Host has given to everyone … peace … with chocolate!

Raiatea

Aloha!

Whew! Looks like we are halfway through my four-island - eight Wal-Mart Store Tour! Hilo, Maui, Kunia and the Pearl City venues were so much fun and the staff at all of the Wal-Marts to date have been so helpful, welcoming, and kind. Huge mahalos to Nancy, Brian, Jerry and Emerson.  Mililani lived up to its namesake - “exalted place.” There was another huge out pouring of support.

One woman in the audience was crying after I finished the song and she told me that “Knowing you wrote the words ‘These Islands are where I belong’ because you miss home when you are gone touring is so touching. I can’t wait for my sister in San Diego to hear the song. She’s gonna love it!” That is so touching and it makes me feel so happy people are touched by my music!

People keep buying the chocolates by the handful! After the performance, while I was signing autographs, I was told some boxes were headed to Alaska, Boston Massachusetts, Virginia and Los Angeles.

I’d write more but I am off to catch a plane to Kona right now! So more later!

Raiatea

Aloha All!

The Pearl City Walmart was so much fun! The KHNL morning show really publicized my appearance and it was wonderful to be greeted by such a nice crowd. And thank you Rose (from Hawaiian Host) for being there for support. And also a huge “Mahalo” to my mom and dad who came to watch after flying in that night for my brother’s wedding (Carlton) the next day. The traffic … sorry, the TRAFFIC!!!!!!!! ewa bound was crazy that night. But we had a really really nice crowd.

Thank you so much to the Walmart store managers Kini, Roxy, and Tony who made a special effort to set up chairs and to publicize the event so well. Myself, Sonny Kalua and Kamuela Kimokeo were having a lot of fun and the fans enjoyed themselves.

Even before the performance, there were two very teeny, old Japanese women in line by the autograph table. When I asked them to please come and sit down they said, “But then we will lose our place in line!” And then they each held up 5 boxes of chocolates! So of course I had to ask them, “Where are all of these chocolates going?” And the first lady in line told me, “This one Japan, this one California and these to family in Washington!” She was so cute!

Mahalo to all again for making this a really special Christmas, not just for me but for all of those people who are going to enjoy sweets from Hawaiian Host and some Hawaiian music too!

Raiatea

Aloha all!

After a glorious dawn over Honolulu, and a wonderful reception at Maui, it was back to O’ahu for a journey into the great West … Ewa west that is. The Kunia Walmart appearance was a trip into the Filipino, local Hawaiian, Japanese and local community. They all were so wonderful with their applause!

The fans began buying Hawaiian Host Chocolate Boxes and CDs even before I began my show! Thank you all for such wonderful support. And thank you Rose for taking time from your busy schedule to support our little mini-tour.

I was a little worried at first about whether we would even have a crowd as I did not see a single poster in the store about the event. I learned later that the Hawaiian Host sales people posted a bunch of posters in the store but some of my fans apparently have been taking the posters as souvenirs!

In any case, we had a really nice size crowd and everyone seemed really happy to hear my music and get some of their Christmas shopping done early! Yikes! Did I just say “Christmas shopping?”

Sonny Kalua’s rendition (on the electric piano) of “Where I Belong” with Kamuela Kimokeo on guitar made some of the fans cheer and whistle and shout at the end. That kind of reaction makes me feel so humbled and good.

In addition to my earlier reports, Hawaiian Host chocolates are now on their way to Sacramento, Ohio, and Las Vegas!

Oh and I heard that one lady in Maui called Hawaiian Host and ordered 200 boxes to be sent as gifts to her family and friends all over the mainland!

A big mahalo to Tracy, Carolyn, Gina and Lynn from Wal-Mart for all their help.

Raiatea

Aloha All!

Sunday was another early morning! How come dawn is so early in the morning … : >) The weather was beautiful as the sun rose over the runway at Honolulu International on my way to lovely Kahului, Maui.

The people at Maui were so warm it felt like I was back home! The Maui Walmart really felt like a homecoming for me! It seemed every other person there was related to me or one of my friends from work or school.

As always, Sonny Kalua on bass and keyboards and Kamuela Kimokeo on guitar were fabulous.

I continued with my own survey of where my gift box of chocolates is going … today I learned that the people of Maui (in addition the Hilo crowd) are sending their chocolates to San Diego, Chicago, Seattle, and California. Oh, and Hong Kong!

So thank you all at Hawaiian Host for taking a chance on this idea and being so unconditionally supportive.  And a big mahalo to Roxanne and Sarah from Wal-Mart Maui for all their wonderful support that day.

Raiatea

Hilo Walmart; November 1, 2008 (11AM)
Aloha all!

The launch at the Hilo Walmart was a great success! The crowd was really enthusiastic. I would like to send a very special thanks to Uncle Glenn Yasufo, our sound engineer, for such a beautiful mix.  Mahalo to Terry and Kaleo, the Wal-Mart managers for doing a great job setting up the Hawaiian Host Christmas Medley display and performance.

Many people told me that they purchase one for themselves and take “Where I Belong” with them to listen to when they travel and the song makes them cry as it reminds them why they miss home so much! The others are gifts for family and friends on the mainland. I was told some were headed to New Jersey, Illinois and Virgina.

I am really excited about appearing in Maui. I used to live there and I am looking forward to seeing many of my friends and family!

And here’s a funny comment I heard disembarking from the Hawaiian Airlines plane … In a whispered voice … “Hey look! That’s the CD girl!”

Anyway, thanks to all for making this campaign such a success and so much fun too!

Raiatea

October 29th was a great evening for the Waialae Country Club.  We celebrated the night along with Birthday girl “Emme Tamimbang” and a bunch of her friends, including husband Judge Jim Burns and well known local Developer Stanford Carr.  This special dinner was a part of the Annual Waialae Nights that is only open to members of the Waialae Country Club which includes residents in the Diamond Head and Kahala district.  We were all stunned with the presence of some Old Time Entertainment influencials.  R. Alex Anderson’s daughter was in the audience, also a family member that wrote the song “Ka’ala” and we were serenaded by a lovely lady who is known for her ha’i…and I tell you, she’s still got it!!! Aunty Iwalani Kahalewai joined me on stage.  It was just a spectacular event to be a part of.  Mahalo Emme!!!!

That would best describe my weekend in Puna!!!!