Superstars to sing for Maui girl
By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau
As if surviving heart-transplant surgery isn't enough, the miracle child of Maui has pulled off another amazing feat: attracting superstar talent for her fund-raiser today.
Advertiser library photo
Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, both residents of Maui, have joined the lineup of musicians who will perform at a 2 p.m. concert to raise money to pay for the medical bills of 11-year-old Daphne Kawaiaea of Hana.
A benefit rodeo and concert today will raise money to help Daphne Kawaiaea.
"I'm just overwhelmed," said Roxanne Prito, one of Daphne's aunts and an organizer of the event sponsored by the Maui Roping Club. "We never thought it would get this big."
The concert, at the 5,000-seat Oskie Rice Arena in Olinda, will follow a benefit rodeo that will start at 8:30 a.m. The day will also feature food booths, pony rides, a silent auction and a steak dinner.
"It was just going to be a little roping event," Prito said. "But when Willie and Kris jumped on board, it was, 'Wow.' (Hotel) concierge desks are calling because their guests want tickets."
Tickets for the rodeo and concert are $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-12. Dinner tickets are $8. Kristofferson is to perform at 5 p.m., followed by Nelson at 5:30 p.m. They are expected to perform a few numbers together. Local artists on the bill include Pekelo and Kawika Lum Ho.
Kristofferson, a Hana resident whose daughter is a classmate of Daphne's, and Nelson, a part-time Spreckelsville resident, volunteered for the show after learning about the girl's plight.
She became sick in January and nearly died before undergoing successful heart-transplant surgery Feb. 27 at Stanford University Medical Center in Palo Alto, Calif.
