January 2014
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LanaISSUE 2, VOLUMe 6 - NEWS FOR ANiD ABOUT THEToday RESIDENTS OF LANAI - JANUARY 2014 LAPA performs with celebrated Jazz Singer Brenna Whitaker Contributed by Matt Glickstein f you didn’t see Hollywood jazz Angeles, Brenna recently signed singer Brenna Whitaker and her Lit- with the Verve Records label. She Itle Big Band at one of the Four Sea- is now working on her debut album sons Resorts Lanai, you missed a once in with some of the biggest names in a lifetime experience. She is a world-class the music industry, including David singer with a heart as big as her voice. Foster, Walter Afanasieff, Greg Brenna’s passion is working with young Wells, Tony Berg, and Jay Landers. people through her music. She searched Brenna is passionate about working the internet for talented musical kids to with at-risk kids and young adults perform with her during the holidays on in need of hope, through music/arts Lanai and she found us—the Lanai Acad- education programs. She regularly emy of Performing Arts (LAPA). contributes to a long list of non-profit LAPA is a volunteer community theater and performing arts based charities organization formed earlier this year by in Los Angeles. “I’ve always had a teachers Sandy Patterson and me for the connection with children. Living in benefit of the children of Lanai. Brenna a place like L.A. or Hollywood, you invited us to perform in her Christmas have to find ways to balance it out. Eve and Christmas Day shows at the I like working with kids who need Lodge at Koele. some hope. It’s second nature now. photo by Adam Glickstein I asked her why she reached out to us. I couldn’t think of not doing it. My “I’m so blessed about what’s happening goal is to make my album, and every- to me, that the least I could do is give where in the world I go on tour, I’d like to a little of what I’ve learned to the uni- stop in local schools with my whole band, verse. Google is a magical thing in that and go through the process of what it is to you really can find people—all you have be a musician, explain every instrument to do is search and be a little creative… and how they got into it.” It happened with you and me, and it’s As a bonus, LAPA also had a special basically my Christmas present from the rehearsal with Brenna and her band. LAPA universe—being able to see those kids members, Danish Mohzani and Celina love singing, and being in a group where Romero, impressed them by singing and they’re happy.” playing the piano. Brenna sang “Jingle Credited with being a key influence in Bells Cha Cha” with her band for all the the resurgence of the jazz scene in Los kids and parents who attended. After the rehearsal, the students got to hang out with Brenna and the band, followed by potluck This Month on the outside patio (with food generously Celina Romero - photo by Matt Glickstein Brenna Whitaker - photo by Adam Glickstein provided by LAPA parents). Page 8 On Christmas Eve, LAPA was ac- Lanai, Alice Bouman, Mohzani Mokhtar, companied by Brenna’s Little Big Band Sandy Patterson, Anthony Pacheco RSVP Christmas on four songs: “Silent Night,” “When (videography), Glendaile Llamelo and Luncheon Christmas Comes to Town,” “The True Zena Kageno (choreography), and all the Meaning of Christmas (an original song families of LAPA. by Matt Glickstein and Jason Spraggins),” We hope that Brenna will be back in and “Jingle Bell Rock.” A very special the future (she says she’d love to) and that guest in the audience, Larry Ellison, led we can be lucky enough to work with a standing ovation after the final number. her again. She agrees, “It’s good for their The audience was then invited to sing learning experience. You have so many Christmas carols along with LAPA by talented kids in your group. Kids are candlelight on the back patio. sponges—they soak it in and just do it. On Christmas Day, LAPA added sever- One day, they can do what I’m doing and al more songs to the program, performing what you’re doing!” in front of a large crowd of hotel guests, For more information on Brenna, please Page 10 & 11 friends, family, and community members. visit her website, brennawhitaker.com. Phillipines Fundraiser A big mahalo to Brenna Whitaker, her To see video of the performance and a Little Big Band, the Four Seasons Resorts special music video, please visit LAPA’s Danish Mohktar - photo by Matt Glick- website, lanaiacademy.org. stein Good things are happening at the Lanai Academy of Performing Arts! utstanding! The Lanai Academy ented group of youngsters are a joy of Performing Arts children were to watch. Hopefully we’ll be seeing Oinvited to perform with celebrated them perform many more times in Page 20 jazz artist Brenna Whitaker and her band on 2014. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Four This month, the Academy will Babies’ 1st Christmas Seasons Lodge at Koele. use funds earned from their sell-out The children rehearsed at the confer- performances of an original story ence center with the full band several by James Rumsford, “Island Below days before their performances and left the Star,” to attend the musical, “The Brenna in tears when she heard them sing Lion King,” at the Blaisdell Center All of the Academy’s members worked really hard Matt Glickstein’s original song, “The on Oahu. They’re sure to return to at rehearsals in 2013. We’re sure 2014 will be an True Meaning of Christmas.” Lanai bedazzled by the experience even bigger year for them. Matt said a music video and a recording and inspired to work even harder. Become a patron of the Lanai Academy will be made for the song. He’ll keep Mahalo to all of their sponsors and of Performing Arts. Donations may be sent Lanai Today readers informed when it supporters who helped to supplement to: Lanai Academy of Performing Arts, becomes available. This amazingly tal- their earnings to make this trip possible. P. O. Box 631903, Lanai City, HI 96763. Permit No. 72 No. Permit Lana’i, HI 96763 HI Lana’i, Lana’i HI 96763 HI Lana’i Lana’i City, HI 96763 HI City, Lana’i Boxholder P. O. Box 630601 Box O. P. U.S.POSTAGE PAID U.S.POSTAGE Lanai Today Lanai Current Resident or or Resident Current Bulk Rate Bulk Page 2 • Lanai Today • JanUaRy 15, 2014 Advertiser’s Index Letters to Alberta Business Name Jan 2014 Page No. Phone I just wanted to say thank you for the article about I would like to take this time to thank Lanai City 808Hummers.com 14 286-9308 the MADD luncheon. Even though I work for MPD, Service’s and Trilogy’s staff members and Randy I wasn’t aware that a number of “Lanai officers” and Jim Coon for all their contributions to Lanai. Anuenue Juice Bar & Cafe 18 250-0633 (as I call all officers who were ever assigned to our The turkey giveaway is always a big hit. The expense Bennie’s Farm 19 649-0808 island) were selected to be honored! Carl Eguia is and hours of planning that goes into an event of this Blue Ginger Cafe 16 565-6363 also an alumni of the Lanai District patrol and met size is tremendous. Every year we, the residents his fiancée, Ciera Eskaran, while assigned here. It’s of Lanai, are the beneficiaries of their generosity. Brown Development 6 280-8130 so nice to see that our former “rookies” are making a Thank you Randy and Jim Coon, and all of the peo- Café 565 17 565-6622 positive impact all over Maui! Thank you for publi- ple who work for your companies on Lanai. Canoes Restaurant 8 565-6537 cizing their efforts. John Ornelllas, Lanai Resident Happy Holidays!, Tess Morimoto Chris Andrus - Newspaper Delivery 10 649-9656 Coalition for a Drug Free Lanai 16, 19 565-6043 A note from Alberta: rienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith Coffee Works 10 565-6962 is always pointed toward the future.” A safe haven for all “Let us act in faith and continue to look ahead,” Coldwell Banker - Sherri William RS 7 264-1794 Sister Bonrosto exclaimed in her email. Custom Container Shipping 11 314-623-6645 A young lady, Latter Day Saints missionary Sister Her message struck my heart. I love my memories Bonrosto, shared this insightful message with me at of growing up at Koele, exploring Lanai on horse- Don Jackson 14 649-0448 the close of 2013. back, and camping out under the starts at Hulopoe Dreams Come True 10 565-6961 “With this new year coming up, I’d like to echo Beach but what memories are we creating for our what Elder Dube had talked about in the last general Expeditions 10 800-695-2624 children and grandchildren today? conference. “Look Ahead” in the sight of the Lord, it We made the transition from pineapple to the Four Seasons Resorts 3 565-4580 is not so much what we have done or where we have visitor industry, but where do we go from here? The Friends of Bill W. 4 760-419-0785 been but much more where we are willing to go. island of Lanai is like a canoe at sea, we must chart Elder Jeffrey R.