Willie K is gearing up for his huge fundraising show, 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village lawn. Yes, he’ll take the stage briefly to cap the evening.
He’s completing the first segments of his ongoing battle with lung cancer. I asked Willie about his regimen over the past three months.
“There are three things to remember: No. 1, stay hydrated; drinking lots of water helps flush out your kidneys to get rid of all the toxins. No. 2, eat; keeps you strong and helps your body heal. No. 3, make sure you have someone to help with No. 1 and No. 2.”
A musician friend heard about this process and wondered, “So does chemo cause problems like when you’re going to the bathroom?”
To which Willie responded: “What?! No, stupid. I mean No. 1, stay hydrated; No. 2, eat.”
Then he added two more elements:
“No. 4, take a laxative; the anti-nausea pills cause constipation.
“No. 5, keep a positive attitude and surround yourself with lots of loving and supportive people.”
The process has been a learning curve as he revamps his day-to-day pace; he’s lost weight, too.
Debbie Kahaialii, his wife, has been his chief caregiver, and his family and extended ohana have his back.
Willie is gratified and humbled by the swell of support from the public, not only for prayers and monetary contributions, but for overwhelming encouragement to beat the cancer. How he lives his life matters, here on out. …
LUMINOUSE STREETLIGHTERS
Streetlight Cadence, the exuberant and agile alternative folk-pop ensemble, continues to be versatile and vigorous in its growth and stature. In shows Tuesday and Wednesday at Blue Note Hawaii, the group introduced newest member Ben Chai (drums and guitar), joining Brian Webb (electric cello), Jonathan Franklin (violin, guitar) and Jesse Shiroma (accordion). The combination of instruments (and voices) makes them a pop music rarity.
From the opening “Thinking of You” to the hana hou nightcap “Stand by Me,” Streetlight continues to be a luminous light on the club scene. Franklin offers engaging synopses/intros to each tune (sample: the message of “Big Big Life” is that it’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey) and the convivial spirit is the bonding glue. Chai brings a bright smile, matching the vibrant personalities of the other dudes. Clearly, the lads have “Goals” galore (as one new song suggests) and continue to achieve them. For full review, visit my Facebook page. …
RANDOM NOTES
You gotta love the humor in “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah’s online ticket sales pitch. “Trevor Noah inbound to Hawaii,” the “alert” says. “Seek shelter at Blaisdell Arena. Saturday, Sept. 1. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.” Kamaaina pre-sales are under way, and the code, appropriately, is “OOPS.” (Locals will get it). For tickets, visit RPBconcerts.com. …
Hawaii-based singer Jack Johnson raised $500,000 in his sold-out March 18 Santa Barbara Bowl benefit concert supporting United Way’s Thomas fire and flood relief efforts. Participants joining Johnson on stage included Ben Harper, ALO, David Crosby and Kenny and Hana Loggins. …
For a scene in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” winding up at 4 p.m. Sunday at Mamiya Theatre at Chaminade University, the villagers munch on Mrs. Lovett’s improved meat pies. The edibles are actually angel food cake rounds specially baked for the musical, numbering 36 per show (216 for the six-performance run). The “pies” are exempt from the otherwise rigid no-food restrictions in the theater, and the real nibbling gives the scene credibility. …
And that’s “Show Biz.” …
Wayne Harada is a veteran entertainment columnist. Reach him at 266-0926 or wayneharada@gmail.com.
