Na Leo’s 2019 Mother’s Day Concert is a Can’t-Miss Celebration of Mom

(Sponsored) We chatted with group member Nalani Jenkins about Na Leo Pilimehana’s upcoming Mother’s Day show at Hawai‘i Theatre, and why it’s the perfect gift for your favorite lady.

Flowers? Check. Chocolate? Check. A special concert just for Mom? Better buy your tickets now. Na Leo Pilimehana’s annual Mother’s Day concert, which for the first time will be held at Hawai‘i Theatre this year, has been a tradition for the past two decades. We spoke to Nalani Jenkins, one-third of the iconic Hawai‘i music group, on why this year’s is slated to be the best one yet.

HONOLULU: Thanks for taking the time to speak with us! First question: Can you tell us about your partnership with Hawai‘i Theatre?

Nalani: Hawai‘i Theatre has amazing acoustics and a great vibe, not to mention so much history, and there’s just not many places like that anymore. We also value the fact that they’re contributing to the revitalization of downtown Honolulu. So, we’re really pleased to be doing our upcoming Mother’s Day show there.

HONOLULU: Speaking of, can you tell us more about your upcoming Mother’s Day show?

Nalani: Mother’s Day is our annual celebration of Mom, and we’ve been doing it for over 20 years. This year, because the acoustics are so great at Hawai‘i Theatre, we’re going to do something that’s a little lighter on the band side.

photo: courtesy of na leo pilimehana

HONOLULU: Something more intimate, more personal, more face-to-face.

Nalani: The idea is for our fans to come and have an intimate Mother’s Day experience with Na Leo, as opposed to the big Waikīkī ballroom kind of stuff we’ve been known for. We’re also inviting some friends to join us onstage.

HONOLULU: Guest performers! Who do you have lined up?

Nalani: Brook Lee, the former Miss Universe, is one. She’s a longtime friend of ours. She’s been working on a new show on KHON2, Modern Wahine Hawai‘i, which actually airs on Mother’s Day.

HONOLULU: We heard you’ll be doing a couple of tributes as well. Can you tell us more about that?

Nalani: We’ll be doing a vocal tribute to Loyal Garner, and a family tribute to Auntie Leina‘ala Kalama Heine, who unfortunately is no longer with us. Aunty Ala is the grandmother of Lehua’s kids. She was the lead dancer for the Brothers Cazimero for decades, and she was a kumu hula known for her grace and her personality. Her three daughters are joining us on stage for the first time ever for a hula tribute for their beautiful Mom.

HONOLULU: Is there anything else you’re doing that will make this Mother’s Day extra special?

Nalani: Our $75 VIP package will come with an amazing gift basket for the moms. It’s a great deal—each one includes a rose, chocolates and an exclusive autographed Na Leo compilation CD, which we’re only releasing for this show.

HONOLULU: That will be good for the dads and kids. You’re doing all the work for them!

Nalani: Yes! The idea was to do something unique and special for Mom and also make it kind of turnkey for Dad and the kids. She gets her flowers, her chocolate and her music, and she gets to spend quality time with her family.

HONOLULU: Sounds like you’ve got a lot going on in the next few months. Is there anything new in the works for Na Leo?

Nalani: Beautiful Day is up for a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Contemporary Album of the Year! Also, Na Leo will be one of the awardees at the Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce’s annual O‘O Awards, which is a great honor. We’re also relaunching a bunch of our catalogue and a new CD with Sony Records this summer, and we’re touring in Japan later this fall and doing a Mainland holiday tour this Christmas.

Na Leo’s Mother’s Day concert takes place on Sunday, May 12, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Hawai‘i Theatre. For more information on the event and to purchase tickets, visit hawaiitheatre.com. For more information on Na Leo Pilimehana, visit naleopilimehana.com.