The September 11th attack
'Sense of peace' prevails at benefit concert

By Scott Ishikawa and Adrienne Ancheta
Advertiser Staff Writers

Although 5,000 miles away from Ground Zero in New York, Hawai'i's entertainment industry made itself heard yesterday with a benefit concert at the Waikiki Shell.

Dancers from Halau Hula Olana performed yesterday during a fund-raiser at the Waikiki Shell for terrorism victims. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

Singer Kapono Beamer and other entertainers said the concert was not only for the people of New York, but Hawai'i as well.

"Music can bring healing and renourish the soul," Beamer said. "And that's the beauty of it: Music can bring a sense of peace during a time of trouble."

Families formed a big part of the audience during the day, but as darkness settled, the lawn filled with an audience of teens and twentysomethings.

By 8:30 p.m., organizer William Myer said about 2,300 tickets had been sold, and people continued to come through the gates.

With two American flags posted near her mat, Krystal Raymond of 'Ewa Beach braved the hot sun and sat through the eight-hour concert from its beginning at 2 p.m.

"I just wanted to come out, show my support and hear some good Hawaiian music," Raymond said.

During yesterday's performances, songs that already are well-loved by Islanders, such as Beamer's "Only Good Times" and Jesse Rivera's "Words Just Don't Come Easy" and "My Dad," took on new meaning.

"That's the reason I played "Only Good Times" today, because its about life and friendship, and cherishing the times you share with others," Beamer said.

Rivera came onstage in his state firefighter uniform as a tribute to his fallen comrades in New York.

"I just feel for the families that lost a loved one because of what happened," Rivera said afterwards. "You see them being interviewed on TV and it just brings tears to your eyes."

Willie K started off his musical set with a Jimi Hendrix-like impersonation of "The Star Spangled Banner," before performing a chicken-skin rendition of John Lennon's "Imagine."

"I really wanted to crank up the electric guitar for "Star Spangled Banner," but the sound code at the Waikiki Shell wouldn't allow it," Willie said with a mischievous grin.

The idea for the benefit started when concert organizer and entertainment attorney Meyer called Willie K the day after the attack.

"He pitched the idea, and I said, 'I'm there. No need to ask twice.'"

Later in the evening, Touch of Gold performed "God Bless the U.S.A.," inspiring many in the crowd to stand and sing along.

Event organizers had only four days to put on and promote the concert after deciding to move forward with the event on Tuesday.

Duane Oyama of Mass Appeal Enterprises, who helped assemble the concert roster, said the dilemma was not a lack of performers willing to get involved, but an overflow of acts.

"You can never ask for too much help, but the key is managing everything so it works out," he said.

Twelve-year-old Lacey Chong and other members of the Halau Hula Olana had ample reason to dance at yesterday's event. They were performing at a children's festival in Virginia when the Pentagon was attacked, about 10 miles away.

"It was just scary," Chong said about the trip. "But since we were there, it was good we came here today."