Didgets
Web site lists Hawai'i entertainers

By Vicki Viotti
Advertiser Staff Writer

Co-founder Scott Nishida promotes Hawaiientertainers.com as a booking connection for Island performers.

Nishida and his friend Josie Vegas, wife of performer Ben Vegas, are collaborating on the site and are recruiting musicians, dancers, magicians, clowns, mobile-disco DJs and other performers to sign up. Currently, only a few dozen are listed, but Nishida hopes the site will grow to a sizable, searchable database.

The fee varies, depending on the services. The deluxe package (initial set-up fee of $149, plus $24.95 per month) includes a Web page, photo, bio and performance description, sound clip (a video clip will be offered as an add-on option in a month or so) and information on performance venues and products for sale.

A basic package ($25 set-up, $15 monthly) would include name, entertainment type, price range and a link to any existing Web site.

Nishida has snared three gigs through his own listing, a service that he said will expose artists to a broader hiring pool.

"One day I want Brudda Sam playing in his garage down the street to be able to get a gig as well as Henry Kapono or Keali'i Reichel," he said.