BY LEE WALTERS – The Pau Hana Parrot Heads welcome everyone to join them on Saturday, August 25 at Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber. The “ Late Summer Bash” is the sixth annual fundraising event held by the local Parrot Head organization and will also be official “Parrot Head” day in Hawaii this year. All proceeds from the event will benefit USO Hawaii.Entertainment for this year’s event will be provided by “Buffett” cover entertainer John Friday from Bonita Springs, Florida.
John Friday, also known as the Tropical Balladeer, is a Trop Rock singer/songwriter who takes his audience on a musical journey “of the Gulf Coast and down to the islands”, specializing in music from artists such as Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and Bob Marley with a great mix of folk, country, classic rock, reggae, and Americana. John plays the songs you know and love, as well as gems from the “B-side of the album” that will bring back memories of the era. In addition to being a fantastic musician, John is a US Army Veteran, having served 13 years on active duty before becoming disabled during “Operation Desert Storm”.
His latest CD, Tropicalized features ten of John’s original songs. John’s performances garnered a place in the finals of the Landshark Lager Battle of the Bands, at the prestigious 12th & Porter Theater in Nashville. John was the only solo artist in the finals. His powerful songwriting skills have also earned an Honorable Mention in the American Songwriter Lyrics Contest.
The USO’s mission is to provide morale, welfare and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel. Millions of times each year at thousands of locations around the world, the USO lifts the spirits of America’s troops and their families. A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. In 2011, USO Hawaii supported over 30,000 Hawaii based service members deploying to and returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. All proceeds from the Parrot Head event will be donated to assist USO Hawaii with their various needs.
The Pau Hana Parrot Head Club is a local nonprofit organization that brings folks who love of island life, listening to Jimmy Buffett’s music and the appreciation of a great party all together to support local Charities and environmental causes and truly “Party with a Purpose”. The Pau Hana Parrot Heads were organized on Oahu in 2005 and are sanctioned by the national organization Parrot Heads in Paradise (PHIP). Nationally the organization began with the Atlanta Parrot Head Club 20 years ago and has grown exponentially to an all-time high of 240 chapters throughout the United States, Canada and Australia with a total membership of 28,000 fun–loving Parrot Heads. The clubs collectively raised and/or donated approximately $2.9 million for charitable organizations in 2010 and dedicated 215,000 man-hours to philanthropic and environmental activities. In the period 2002 – 2011, Parrot Head Clubs have collectively contributed more than $26 million dollars and approximately 2.9 million man-hours to aid their communities and environment! Last year the local chapter, Pau Hana Parrot Heads raised over $5000 and donated multiple goods and foods to organizations such as USO, Wounded Warriors, Hawaii Assisted Living, Aloha United Way, Hawaii Humane Society and took part in beach and ocean clean-up activities.
Everyone is welcome to attend the event on Saturday August 25th starting at 2pm and running until 6pm. Raffles tickets for door prizes will be available and a silent auction will be held to raise funds for USO Hawaii.
Entrance is free, food and drinks available through Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber and free valet parking for the first four hours. www.jimmybuffettsatthebeachcomber.com
Please contact Pau Hana Parrot Heads for more info at pauhanaparrothd@aol.com, www.pauhanaparrotheads.org or call 808-754-2390.