10 WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE:
Jack Johnson
Haleiwa-born musician
found national success
Jack Johnson's main calling card has always been surfing. The Haleiwa-born native first made his name as a fine surf-documentary maker. "The September Sessions" (now out on DVD) received accolades from the bible of the sport, Surfer magazine, in 2001.
But Johnson has really made his name as a singer-songwriter, and not just locally. He has found national success in areas of the country quite a distance from the ocean.
Some fought controversial battles. Others made headlines or worked quietly behind the scenes. But all made an impact on Hawaii in 2003 and are thus recognized as the Star-Bulletin's 10 who made a difference.
His backyard, kick-back ruminations on life in general -- buoyed by his easy demeanor, easy voice and groove-filled tunes -- has found a large audience, and he became a national headliner this year, touring in support of his sophomore release, "On and On."
With the help of musical friend and cohort Ben Harper, Johnson has handled all his newfound notoriety quite well. Before his sold-out Pipeline Cafe concert in July, he said he was planning a concert to provide seed money for a foundation to promote local environmental issues. Well, true to his word, Johnson is hosting what hopes to be the first annual Kokua Festival, a day filled with music at Kualoa Ranch on Saturday, with all proceeds going to the Kokua Hawaii Foundation, a nonprofit that supports local environmental education and community programs.
Johnson and his band will headline the event, which includes a still-to-be-identified major music act, plus Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom & Willie K, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Makana and DJ Logic. Environmental organizations, eco-friendly businesses, artists, teachers and community leaders will have booths around the ranch grounds to promote the festival's message of living in harmony with the environment.
