Breathe Concert for Clean Air

A spectacular line-up of local musicians will grace the stage in the first-ever second-annual “Breathe Concert,” taking place tomorrow at the Hawaii Theatre. Coming on the heels of the opening of the Hawaii State Legislature, the American Lung Association of Hawaii is seizing the spotlight to call attention to the need for clean air.

“Our timing is no coincidence,” says ALAH executive director Jean Evans. “Passage of the law that prohibits smoking in bars, restaurants, airports, offices and all other public spaces was a milestone in public health. We must protect this pro-health law and focus attention on the necessity to retain and strengthen it during the 2008 legislative session.”

Scheduled to perform are Kenneth Makuakane (an awesome guy who arranged a song written just for the concert), Jake Shimabukuro (in a rare local appearance after dozens of far-flung concerts) Amy Hanaialii, George Kuo, Aaron Mahi, Kanoe Miller, Mihana Souza, Sean Naauao, Martin Pahinui, Leon Williams, Lea Woods Friedman, Sonya Mendez, and Roy Sakuma’s Super Keiki with special guest Nick Acosta.

Despite Hawaii’s naturally clean outdoor air, its indoor air quality (and air quality during New Year’s Eve fireworks) is abysmal. Ten percent of Hawaii children are asthmatic, the second highest rate in the country, according to the ALAH. And the state Department of Health says that 40,000 Hawaii kids are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke.  Overall, more than 154,000 islanders are afflicted with lung disease.

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets start at $35, and you can get a $5 discount if you say you’re an ALA supporter and use the coupon code “CLEAR.”  At the $135 level, you get an invite to the after-concert party.  You can buy at the Hawaii Theatre box office or online.