Award-winning singer calls theft 'a bummer'

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Raiatea Helm and her father, Zachary, are hoping to retrieve some of their belongings stolen from a car May 1 after the Lei Day concert at the Waikiki Shell, where Raiatea Helm was a guest artist.

"It was a bummer," said the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning songstress, 19, who lost her wallet, credit cards, a CD with a file of 500 photos destined to be part of her second recording project now under way, and other personal belongings in suitcases and her backpack.

The Helms were having a late dinner at K.C. Drive Inn in Kapahulu after her guest appearance with The Brothers Cazimero.

"We were there with a friend, Roger Tsukamoto, and it was his BMW that was broken into," Zachary Helm said. "It spoiled a very special day for us."

They had journeyed from their home on Moloka'i to Kona, where Raiatea performed at a Punana Leo concert. They took a late flight to Honolulu, then caught a cab to the Shell by 8 p.m. for her unannounced guest appearance with Robert and Roland Cazimero. She strummed her 'ukulele — and enthralled the crowd with her powerful falsetto. The uke was spared because it was in the locked trunk.

"We couldn't have been in the restaurant more than 45 minutes," Zachary Helm said.

A police report was filed, but to date none of the stolen goods has been retrieved.

Also taken: demo CDs for her backup players, with music destined for her second album, "Raiatea's Sweet and Lovely."

Zachary Helm tried to be light-hearted about the experience.

"If the thief doesn't return the stuff, I hope he or she will at least buy Raiatea's record," he said.

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, fax 525-8055 or wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com.