The hotel and entertainment community is holding an “;Island to Island for Haiti”; benefit concert on Feb. 12, headlined by Cecilio & Kapono, to aid survivors of the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti.

To be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on the great lawn at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, the fundraiser is the brainchild of Jerry Gibson, managing director and Hilton Hotels Corp. area vice president.

“;About 1 1/2 weeks ago, I saw the devastation and said, 'We need to do something; let's get the whole hotel community together.' Immediately everyone jumped on board, every single entity. It was a terrific, terrific response,”; Gibson said.

Their goal is to raise $40,000, which will be given to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief and Development Fund the next day. Concertgoers may make a $20 donation at the door. Food samplings, beer and other beverages will each sell for $3; special parking will be available for $5.

Pulling together such a large event in a few weeks is something “;we in the hotel industry are used to doing,”; Gibson said. “;They deploy their logistics very quickly. Total cooperation from the community has been overwhelming, which makes it easier to do this.”;

As a hotel executive, Gibson said he has been involved with recovery efforts on Kauai after Hurricane Iwa in 1982 and Hurricane Iniki in 1992.

Henry Kapono, half of the singing duo, has already lined up Amy Hanaiali'i, Jimmy Borges, Ledward Kaapana, Tihati Productions, Taimane Gardner and Afatia Thompson, he said.

“;When our longtime friend Jerry Gibson called and asked for help ... it was really a no-brainer for myself and for Cecilio & Kapono,”; Kapono said. “;I think we all need to help in any way we can. It's a matter of the heart. It's a matter of love for our island brothers and sisters and for the children of Haiti. I encourage everybody to help in any way they can. Big or small, it all adds up!”;

Food booths with gourmet samplings will be provided by the Halekulani, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Waikiki, Marriott Waikiki, Hyatt Waikiki, Hilton Waikiki Prince Kuhio, Hilton Hawaiian Village and others.

Some of the donors include Anheuser-Busch, Audio Visual Technologies, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Halekulani, Hawaii Explosives & Pyrotechnics Inc., Kahala Hotel & Resort, Moana Surfrider, Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, Tihati Productions and more.

Others who would like to help may call 947-7963.