Starbucks celebrates its 10th anniversary in Hawai‘i by staging a four-Island summer concert series. Their just-released commemorative CD, “Mele O Hawaii,” assembles 15 Island tunes performed by local acts, ranging from Keali‘i Reichel, Jake Shimabukuro, Hapa, Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole, Willie K. and Gabby Pahinui. Some artists on the disc (available only at Starbucks stores) will participate in the summer musical blowout. See this Honolulu Advertiser feature for dates and performers.

Enjoy an evening with Keali‘i Reichel on Thursday, October 18th and Friday, October 19th, 2007 in San Diego, CA. Shows start at 7:30 pm. Get tickets before they go on sale to the general public and use to the code word “puna” when purchasing. Offer good Monday, May 28th @ 10am through Thursday, May 31st @ 10pm.

Kenneth reports on his experience at the Northwest Folklife Festival, and has posted pictures from the trip on his website. Next stops: Bay Area on Tuesday and Wednesday. Catch him if you can.

The Advertiser’s Wayne Harada interviews the Mountain Apple Company’s Jon DeMello for the inside scoop on Wonderful World, the latest release of music by the late Israel Kamakawiwo‘ole. This one features lush orchestral arrangments supporting Iz’s voice and ‘ukulele. He also has a review of the release.

Kenneth Makuakāne is in the Pacific Northwest and is performing at tonight’s Northwest Folklife Festival, which draws a couple of hundred thousand people each year. Read his report on his west coast swing on his weblog.

“Rusty Ol’ Steam Pipes” is a fundraiser for Hawaiians who are incarcerated, particularly those being housed on the mainland. Enjoy entertainment with Skippy Ioane, Liko Martin and Friends, The Kauai Boys – Titus Kinimaka & Keoni Mahuka, Ernie Cruz Jr, Kupa‘āina, Reggie Berdon, Jumbo Fu, Jon Osorio, Mana Caceres, The Girla’s. It will be held tomorrow, Friday May 25th, 4pm at Kamakakūokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa.

Admission is not charged, but donations are appreciated. Smoke Meat Plate available for $6 donation. Silent auction on Hawaiian Arts & Crafts: Traditional Ko’i, Poi Pounders, Poi Board, Ihe, Konane Board, Nose Flutes, Hawaiian Force T-Shirts, Anthony Kekona Art Prints, ‘Ulumaika Sets, Surf Board, Solomon Enos Art Prints, And much more. Free Street Parking or Park in Structure for $3. Contact: Andre Perez at kanikapu@yahoo.com for more information.

Mālama I Ke Kai is a benefit for the Pūnana Leo O Kawaiaha‘o, and will beheld on Satuday, May 26 at the Kapi‘olani Park Bandstand. Here is the lineup and times:

• 10 to 10:15 – Nā Pualei o Likolehua – Leina’ala Heine
• 10:15 to 10:25 –Pūnana Leo o Kawaiaha‘o Keiki
• 10:25 to 10:30 – Presentation to Eddie Aikau & ‘Ohana (Honoree for the event)
• 10:35 to 11:25 – She Rocks (Mailani and friends)
• 11:30 to 12:20 – Hōkū Zuttermeister & Ioane Burns
• 12:25 to 1:15 – Keawe & Tracie Lopes and Halau
• 1:20 to 2:10 – Kainani Kahaunaele & friends
• 2:15 to 2:45 – Tony Silva from Da Bruddahs
• 2:50 to 3:25 – Kūpaoa (Kelan & Lihau)
• 3:30 to 4:10 – Kaumakaiwa Kanaka‘ole & friends
• 4:15 to 5:00 – Weldon Kekauoha & friends

Jerry Santos of Olomana will perform in a Waikīkī Beach Walk Hawaiian Music Heritage Program concert from 4 to 5:30 p.m. this Saturday at the Embassy Suite’s Grand Lanai, on the fourth floor of the renovated Waikiki sector. Joining him will be Hōkū Zuttermeister and Barry Kimokeo. I rarely have news on Jerry’s performances, so glad to be able to point to this one.

Kenneth Makuakane is recognized as a successful innovator in producing and recording Hawaiian Music, as well a prolific songwriter. He has over 100 albums to his producing credits, working with artist such as Nā Leo Pilimehana, Hapa, Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom, Raiatea Helm, Obrian Eselu and Jeff Rasmussen and many more. He will be performing and conducting clinics on the west coast for the next two weeks. Here is his schedule. The big event is the Northwest Folklife Festival this weekend. Be sure to catch him if you can and tell him you learned about it here!

Speaking of Kenneth, Makuakāne has finally made it into the iTunes Music Store. It only took a bit over four months (or was it five?). Sadly, only part of the CD is there so far. Not sure where the rest is.

Hoku Hanohano Award-winners Holunape will perform at the Wahiawa Pineapple Festival this Saturday at the Wahiawa District Park. They will be on the main stage from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The documentary “Kī Hō‘alu (Loosen the Key) Keola Beamer,” was awarded an Emmy in the audio category at the 36th annual Northern California Area Emmy Awards. The film, directed and produced by Ken K. Martinez Burgmaier for Hawaii Public Television (KHET), is the first Hawaiian music documentary to receive an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The DVD is available for purchase on Keola’s website.

Guitarist Tom Conway’s band Gypsy Pacific will be on TV today at 4:30 pm Hawaii time but you can view the one hour O‘ahu concert on your computer by going to www.olelo.org. When there, click on ‘O‘ahu channel 52′ on the homepage and you can watch the show on your computer; just remember the time is 4:30 Hawaii time and take into account the time difference.

Celebrate Aloha Friday June 8 at the second annual Barefoot Bash. Join The Barefoot Natives (Willie K and Eric Gilliom) for an evening of music and funny business. Barefoot Natives will be joined by Mick Fleetwood’s Island Rumours Band, Kalapana, and Hapa’s Nathan Aweau. Tickets are $32, $37, $45. Call the MACC Box office at (808) 242 7469, or purchase online at www.mauiarts.org. Arrive after gates open at 4:30 PM; the Barefoot Natives are first to the stage at 5:30 at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center.

The Advertiser has this summer’s lineup for Hot Hawaiian Nights. My question – where the @%#&! are the artists playing traditional music?

Join Na Leo, Sunday, May 13th and celebrate your mom with them and their special guests Kaukahi and the comedy team of Lanai & Kaleo. There are two shows, check Nā Leo’s website for more details.

Raiatea Helm has a sample from her upcoming release, “Hawaiian Blossom”, on her MySpace site.

Tickets go on sale today for The Makaha Sons’ “Take a Walk in the Country 5.” The Sons will share the stage with a roster of Island favorites, including Keali’i Reichel, Melveen Leed and Hoku Zuttermeister, along with the hula artistry of Kealo Koko, Manu Boyd’s Hālau O Ke ‘A‘ali’i Kū Makani and Chinky Mahoe’s Hālau Hula O Kawaili‘ulā. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Tickets are $15 general admission lawn seating; $40 reserved seating; and $125 for a premium VIP ticket, which includes a gourmet dinner served at tables in the pool area. All reserved-ticket buyers will receive a Makaha Sons DVD. Doors open at 5 p.m. for pre-concert picnic suppers. More information available in this Advertiser feature.