Falsetto singer Stan Kaina and his hula halau, Na Leo Nahenahe o Pohai Kealoha, will perform on board Holland American Line’s m.s. Zaandam. (Photo courtesy of Christine Reed)

MEDIA RELEASE

“Experience the nostalgia and aloha of Hawaii’s old-time boat days, replete with colorful flower lei, graceful hula auana, and lively Hawaiian music,” says Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park spokesperson Julie Mitchell.

The public is invited to attend the Friends’ “Reminiscing Boat Days” fundraiser on board Holland American Line’s m.s. Zaandam, which docks in the Hilo Harbor.

The benefit luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 12 in the ship’s elegant Rotterdam Dining Room.

“Artifacts and memorabilia from a variety of musical genres decorate the m.s. Zaandam, including Bill Clinton’s saxophone and signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton, and the Rolling Stones,” Mitchell states.

With 615 crew members, the mid-size cruise ship is 781 feet in length with a passenger capacity of 1,432. The ship’s soaring, three-story atrium features a Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ, inspired by the traditional barrel organs still found on the streets of The Netherlands, where the ship is registered.

“Join us on board this musically-themed ship for a three-course meal of appetizer, lunch entree choice, and dessert served with wine,” says Mitchell, who adds that vegetarian meal options are available with advance requests.

Entertainment includes music by falsetto singer Stan Kaina and his hula halau, Na Leo Nahenahe o Pohai Kealoha, which means “sweet gentle voices surrounded with love.”

Dancers from kumu hula Ab Valencia’s Halau Hula Kalehuakiekieikaiu will also appear.

“Kupuna will reminisce about yesteryear’s boat days in an informal storytelling session,” Mitchell said. “And we encourage attendees to bring their own boat day memories to share during the talk-story.”

“Reminiscing Boat Days” tickets are $65 (of which $45 is tax-deductible) and benefit the non-profit Friends of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Group rates are available for tables of 5 or more.

For fundraiser tickets, call 985-7373 or visit www.fhvnp.org Due to TSA security regulations, tickets are not transferable, photo identification is required to board the ship, and RSVPs must be made by Nov. 4.

For those who would like to stay over in Hilo on Thursday, Friday, and/or Saturday nights, the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel is offering discounted rates to fundraiser attendees. Standard banyan view rooms are only $80 and deluxe ocean view rooms, $99. Contact the Friends for booking details.

This benefit is co-sponsored by Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Holland American Line, K. Taniguchi & Co., Kuwaye Trucking, Inc., and Roberts Hawaii.