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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, January 30, 2009

Stars offer breath of fresh air at benefit concert

By Kawehi Haug
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Jake Shimabukuro is among the performers set to take the stage Saturday for The Breathe Concert.

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THE BREATHE CONCERT

7:30 p.m. Saturday

Hawai'i Theatre

$35-$135; $135 tickets include admission to the concert after-party

Tickets are available at the Hawai'i Theatre box office at 1130 Bethel St., online at www.HawaiiTheatre.com or charge by phone at 528-0506.

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Many of the Islands' top entertainers are coming together Saturday night for a cause that's more than just good — it's vital.

The Breathe Concert, the American Lung Association of Hawaii's second annual fundraiser, brings together local performers for a night of live music in the name of breathing easy, which isn't always as easy as it sounds.

"When a cause hits close to home, I think you're more apt to help out," said hula dancer Kanoe Miller, who was born with asthma and volunteered to perform Saturday after hearing about last year's concert.

"It was something that I really wanted to do because it's a cause I can really get behind," Miller said. "I'm very fortunate that my job allows me to work outdoors where the air is clean and fresh, but not everyone has that luxury."

Saturday's lineup also includes performances by Amy Hanaiali'i; George Kuo, Martin Pahinui and Aaron Mahi (with Miller); Kenneth Makuakane; Sonya Mendez; Sean Na'auao; Roy Sakuma and his Super Keiki, with special guest Nick Acosta; Jake Shimabukuro; Mihana Souza; Leon Williams and Lea Woods Friedman.

Cathy Foy-Mahi will co-emcee the concert with Al Waterson.

More than 154,000 people statewide have some form of lung disease, according to the American Lung Association, and lung cancer is the No. 1 cancer killer of both women and men in the state.

Hawai'i also ranks second in the nation in the per-capita number of youth with asthma and is also No. 2 nationally in the incidence of tuberculosis. Three TB cases have been identified in public schools in the past year.

The ALA of Hawaii, in addition to raising awareness about lung disease, also counts as its mission the perpetuation of clean air that is free from environmental toxins, such as second-hand smoke, and, more recently, vog.

Reach Kawehi Haug at khaug@honoluluadvertiser.com.