Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

Palani Vaughan and the King’s Own and the Honolulu Lounge Lizards join the bill for Sunday’s “Stand Up for the Natatorium” benefit concert at The Shack Waikiki.

Enjoy five great performances for just $20, and Stand Up for the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial!

Palani Vaughan is a 2008 inductee into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame. He is best known for his albums with the King’s Own honoring King David Kalakaua and the music of Hawaii’s monarchy period. The Honolulu Lounge Lizards — DeWayne Valdez, Stan Combis and Larsen Abilla – play Hawaiian party music at its best.

These new acts join the smooth Motown sound group A Touch of Gold and headliners Titus Kinimaka and The Kauai Boys and Henry Kapono with their support for the Natatorium.

With sincere thanks to our performers and sponsors, Marian’s Catering and Oiwi Ocean Gear, here are the full details:

When: Sunday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m.

Where: The Shack Waikiki In Honolulu at 2255 Kuhio Ave.

What: “Stand Up for the Natatorium,” a benefit bash for the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

Who: Our lineup for the evening is:
–Palani Vaughan and the King’s Own
–A Touch of Gold
–The Honolulu Lounge Lizards
–”The Wild Hawaiian” Henry Kapono
–Titus Kinimaka and The Kauai Boys

Why: To remember, respect and renew the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, the state’s living memorial to the 10,000 men and women from Hawaii who served in World War I. Great music. Great artists. Great cause.

Tickets: $20, available from Honoluluboxoffice.com.

For more information: Send a message to natatorium@natatorium.org

Today is the 120th birthday of the ultimate Hawai’i waterman, Duke Kahanamoku: Olympic swimming champion, surfer, diver, paddler and sailor.

And it’s the 83rd birthday of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial, inaugurated by Duke with a ceremonial first swim on Aug. 24, 1927, the day the champion turned 37.

That ceremony kicked off the four-day AAU National Outdoor Swimming Championships, a meet studded with stars like Johnny Weissmuller, Buster Crabbe and Japan’s Katsuo “Flying Fish” Takaishi. According to a Honolulu Star-Bulletin account, “Opening night attracted 6,000 people. … The Natatorium was packed with spectators — as was every tree outside with a view of the pool.” After the meet, an international swimming official called the Natatorium “one of the best, if not the best, swimming arenas in the world.”

The Natatorium was built as a living memorial to more than 10,000 men and women from Hawai’i who served in the Great War. The 1921 Legislature’s Act 15 decreed that the memorial should include “a swimming course of no less than 100 meters” to perpetuate Hawaii’s storied swimming legacy.

Through the years, many other Olympians, celebrated swimmers and watermen followed in the Duke’s wake at the Natatorium. Generations of Hawaii’s children learned to swim in its waters; it was one of Waikiki’s most beloved gathering places.

So, happy birthday to two of Waikiki’s great, Duke Kahanamoku and the Natatorium!

Let’s celebrate!

Today through Saturday, remember Duke by taking part in Duke’s OceanFest 2010.

Then, this Sunday, Aug. 29, join Titus Kinimaka, Henry Kapono, A Touch of Gold and more at the “Stand Up for the Natatorium” benefit concert at The Shack Waikiki. Hear great music; have a great time; support a great cause: the restoration and revival of the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial. Details here. Tickets (just $20!) here.

Island sons Titus Kinimaka, Henry Kapono, and the show group A Touch of Gold headline our first “Stand Up for the Natatorium” benefit concert, Sunday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at The Shack Waikiki.

Our performers are donating their time and talent to support restoration of Waikiki’s world-famous Natatorium War Memorial. Bring the whole family to enjoy great music, pupu and the company of fellow Natatorium supporters.

It’s not just a concert; it’s also a birthday celebration. The about-to-turn 83 Natatorium shares its Aug. 24 birthday and swimming history with another ocean icon, the legendary Duke Kahanamoku. The Duke turned 37 the day he inaugurated the Natatorium with a swim at its ceremonial opening.

Tickets for “Stand Up for the Natatorium” are $20 and are available from Honoluluboxoffice.com. There will be a raffle and door prizes from Patagonia, Speedo and HIC.

Here are the details:

When: Sunday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m.-11 p.m.

Where: The Shack Waikiki In Honolulu at 2255 Kuhio Ave.

What: “Stand Up for the Natatorium,” a benefit bash for the Waikiki Natatorium War Memorial

Who: Performers include Titus Kinimaka and The Kauai Boys, ”The Wild Hawaiian” Henry Kapono and the singing/dancing Motown show group A Touch of Gold.

Why: To benefit the Friends of the Natatorium. To support the fight to remember, restore and renew the Waikiki War Memorial Natatorium, the state’s living memorial to the 10,000 men and women from Hawaii who served in World War I. Great music. Great artists. Great cause.

Tickets: $20, available from Honoluluboxoffice.com.

For more information: Send a message to natatorium@natatorium.org