TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Fireman and friends
give backThe song heard 'round the state is about to be released on CD as a benefit for Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii. The CD single with a vocal version and a music-only version hits stores Tuesday.
"Give Aloha," written by Jesse Rivera, Kawika Kahiapo, Kelly Boy DeLima and Kawika Crowley aired on radio and television stations statewide at 6:45 a.m. Nov. 14 of last year.
"All I know is when I was in Channel Two that morning and the nine or 10 monitors were showing the video," Rivera said, he felt simultaneous butterflies in his stomach and "chicken skin -- it was awesome."It was an unforgettable few minutes for 14 months of effort spearheaded by Rivera, which included Gov. Ben Cayetano proclaiming the day "Hawaii Synergy Day" in honor of the project.
"It had nothing to do with Sept. 11," Rivera said; his first meeting with the governor was a full year earlier.
"Give Aloha" is just what more than 60 performers and technicians and several businesses did to bring the project to fruition.
In addition to the 15 TV stations, 62 of the state's 67 radio stations gave up high-value morning drive minutes -- the costliest of the day for advertising -- to talk about the song and play it.
TK Studios, The Producers Group Inc., PixelWorld Networks Inc., Purely Post and Tape Duplicators each contributed services, Rivera said, including the taping of a music video on the Windward Community College campus.
"I'm very appreciative of the artists and technical people that got involved to make this thing happen. This whole thing was done through kokua," Rivera said.
Artists donating their voices, music and time ranged from "Aunty Genoa to Maunalua to Three Plus and everyone in between," said Brett Ortone, president of Olinda Road Distributors. Graphics for the CD cover were Ortone's contribution, while the company fronted the money for manufacturing expenses.
Beyond recovering that cost, Ortone and Rivera said, the rest will be given to Prevent Child Abuse Hawaii.
Program Director Aileen Deese said Rivera was sent information about the organization after his initial contact, and then "agreed to work with us and we appreciate it."
It's going to be a limited edition as the initial order totals 1,000 units, Ortone said. If more are needed they can be ordered from Sony and delivered within three days.
Rivera hopes to make "Hawaii Synergy Day," an annual event with a new song and a new children's charity to benefit each time.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com