LEIHOKU FEST AND MOTIV8 FOUNDATION ARE TEAMING UP IN SUPPORT OF MAUI RELIEF EFFORTS WITH LEIHOKU FEST MATCHING DONATIONS UP TO $25,000.
Eugene, Ore. – In response to the devastating fires on Maui, the promoters of the ’Leihoku Fest Eugene’, in collaboration with Marcus Mariota’s Motiv8 Foundation, have banded together to encourage concert patrons to donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund with a donation on behalf of Leihoku Fest matching up to $25,000 of every dollar donated though the Motiv8 Foundation from now until September 30, 2023.
All donations will be going to the Maui Strong Fund to support the local community. The Maui Strong Fund is providing financial resources that can be deployed quickly, with a focus on rapid response and recovery for the devastating wildfires on Maui and 100% of the funds will be distributed for community needs.
“It has been heartbreaking to watch catastrophic wildfires destroy historic Lahaina Town and other communities on the island of Maui,’’ said Brenden Clement, founder of Concert King Events. “Our hearts go out to all of those who have lost their loved ones, homes and livelihoods in this horrific tragedy.”
The ‘Leihoku Fest Eugene’ features Common Kings, Steel Pulse, Iam Tongi, and Jakobs Castle live in concert on Friday, September 15, 2023 in The Cuthbert Amphitheater. All ages general admission free roaming tickets to Common Kings, Steel Pulse, Iam Tongi, and Jakobs Castle in The Cuthbert Amphitheater are on sale now online at Cascade Tickets and the Cuthbert Box Office (show nights only) for $50, which includes city of Eugene facility and parking fees. The Cuthbert box office and gates will open at 4:30 p.m. The concert will begin at 6 p.m.
About Leihoku Fest Eugene
The Hawaiian word “leihoku” means “a lei (or wreath) of stars” and describes how the people work together to strive in pursuit of high aspirations. The organizers chose leihoku to represent the courageous Polynesians voyagers who, in ancient times, ingeniously navigated thousands of miles over the Pacific Ocean by leihoku, using a “lei of a stars” in the sky to guide them to distant islands.
About Common Kings
“California’s Common Kings are a glorious amalgam of all things good in the world.” – Musical Notes Global
Railroad Earth
In a saturated musical landscape, Common Kings have carved their own path. The Orange County four-piece was nominated for a GRAMMY for their debut album (Lost In Paradise) in 2016 and has been on an upward trajectory ever since. Common Kings followed up with their 2018 EP One Day (Mensch House Records) featuring Stephen Marley, ¡Mayday! and Kat Dahlia, and ended the year supporting Bruno Mars on his sold- out Hawaii shows.
Common Kings strikes the perfect balance between R&B, rock, reggae, pop and island influences from the collective minds of JR King (vocals), Mata (guitar), Uncle Lui (bass), and Rome (drums). The amalgamation comes from growing up on healthy doses of Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Jim Croce, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Gypsy Kings, Earth Wind and Fire, and Bob Marley. These influences originate from each band member’s love for various genres, and widespread knowledge of music.
With a GRAMMY nomination under their belt, the achievement of reaching 800,000 single downloads, along with their remarkable touring accomplishments (providing direct support for major acts such as opening two sold out shows for Bruno Mars at Aloha Stadium in November, Justin Timberlake’s 20/20 World Experience Tour, Meghan Trainor’s Untouchable Tour and Matisyahu’s 2017 Fall Tour), Common Kings show no signs of slowing down.
About Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse are one of Britain’s greatest reggae bands, rivaled only by Aswad in terms of creative and commercial success. Generally, a politically minded Rastafarian outfit, Steel Pulse started out playing authentic roots reggae with touches of jazz and Latin music, and earned a substantial audience among U.K. punks as well as reggae loyalists.
Their 1978 debut, Handsworth Revolution, is regarded by many critics as a landmark and a high point in the history of British reggae. As the ’80s wore on, polished synthesizer sounds and elements of dance music and R&B crept into their music, even as their subject matter stayed on the militant side (as on 1988’s State of Emergency).
By the late ’80s, Steel Pulse had won a Grammy and were working in full-fledged crossover territory in the U.K. and the U.S. They returned to a tough-minded, rootsy sound that acknowledged contemporary trends with touches of dancehall and hip-hop on 1994’s Vex and 1997’s Rage and Fury. Like more than a few veteran acts,
Steel Pulse emphasized touring over recording in the 2000s and 2010s, but their holiday from the studio ended with the sessions for 2019’s Mass Manipulation.
About Iam Tongi
Iam Tongi is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who imbues his easy blend of pop and reggae with the folk music of his native Hawaii. He gained prominence in 2023 after taking home the top prize on Season 21 of American Idol, becoming the first Pacific Islander to win the competition. His first post-Idol single, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” appeared on multiple Billboard charts.
Born William Guy Tongi in the Honolulu community of Kahuku, Tongi’s family relocated to Federal Way, Washington, when he was in his early teens. Proficient on ukulele and piano by the fifth grade, he took up guitar at 13 after receiving the instrument as a gift from his father.
After failing to advance past the initial screening for Season 20 of American Idol, 17-year-old Tongi was reluctant to give it another go. His second attempt put him before judges Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, and his emotional performance of James Blunt’s “Monsters,” played on the six-string given to him by his father who had recently passed away, earned him a standing ovation. Tongi made it to the finale, where he defeated runner-up Megan Danielle after teaming up with Blunt for another rendition of “Monsters.” He released his debut single, “I’ll Be Seeing You,” three days before the finale. The song reached number three on Billboard’s Digital Song Sales and number one on Rock Digital Song Sales.
