Funding a Well of Hope

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mike Elinski, Mary Antonio, Yolette Nishimoto and Jane Lawton were introduced by Sonya Mendez as she celebrated the release of her new album, "Back to the Islands," with a CD release party/fundraiser benefiting the Well of Hope Foundation at the Aloha Tower Marketplace on Tuesday. The five friends formed Well of Hope after they participated in Rotary international's PolioPlus National Immunization Day in Ethiopia last fall and learned that many people there have no access to clean drinking water. Work has already begun on a "well of hope" for the village of Jilo Ager; $60,000 is needed to complete the project. For more information, go to www.thewellofhopefoundation.org. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Keyboardist Dan Del Negro visited with Rosanna Perch while taking a break during the program. Del Negro, one of three keyboardists who worked on the "Back to the Islands" project, had already backed several vocalists by the time he got a chance to chill with Perch and enjoy the party buffet. He returned to the stage when Mendez shared selections from her new album, then stayed on for a set with DeShannon Higa and Nueva Vida. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Ben Vegas was running late for another gig but stopped to greet Kathy Raymond, left, and Kathy Kramer Stafford as he was leaving the party after his showcase set with Maila Gibson. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Jon M. Gruhler III, left, general manager of Aloha Music International, and Cox Radio executive Robz Yamane shared a table with Steve and Lee Ann Jones. Steve Jones co-produced "Back to the Islands" and was the project's bass player; Gruhler is the distributor. Jones is looking forward to recording a second "Return to Romance" album with Matt Catingub next month. CLICK FOR LARGE

JOHN BERGER / JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Sonya Mendez, left, welcomed Carole Kai to the party. Mendez broke into show business as a dancer in one of Kai's shows in the 1970s, and she told the crowd that Kai's longtime commitment to supporting charitable causes inspired her to do the same. CLICK FOR LARGE