Talking Story With Boom Gaspar Leads To Benefit Show

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The nationally famous rock band Pearl Jam will donate a portion of the proceeds from their final concert on a world tour to the Waimanalo-based Hui Malama I Ke Kai Foundation - thanks to some old-time friends.

Pearl Jam performs at 8 p.m. Dec. 2 at Blaisdell Center arena, and ticket sales have already begun. The Pearl Jam Vitology Foundation will collect $2 donations in addition to the price of the tickets (which start at $53). The Vitology Foundation will give $1 to the Waimanalo organization in the name of Waimanalo native and keyboard player Kenneth “Boom"Gaspar and his wife Pinky.

The Pearl Jam and Hui Malama I Ke Kai Foundation connection clicked when the Gaspars passed by a car wash fundraiser that Hui Malama held last February to support its trip to New Zealand. Gaspar spotted his childhood friend, Michael Hikalea, the chairman of the local group.

According to Hikalea, he and Gaspar talked story about wanting to do the same thing - give back to the community they love.

“Boom was looking for a way to give back to the community now that he has been blessed. He has made it on an international level with this rock band, and he wants to give back to Waimanalo.

“He’s a local boy that’s done good, and he still cares about his community.”

Hui Malama program director Kathy Morris said, “I’ve only met them (the Gaspars) once, but I see that they are incredibly caring, thoughtful and giving people who want want to help the keiki of Hawaii.”

The two boys grew up on the same street in Waimanalo and were classmates from elementary school through their days at Kailua High School. They played baseball and football together.As they each went their own way into adulthood, they’d catch up once in a while at carnivals. When Gaspar visits his family, which still lives on the same street as the Hikaleas, they’d kick back and talk story about old times growing up.

Hui Malama O Ke Kai was established in 1998 by volunteers in Waimanalo who set up an afterschool program that offers tutoring at Blanche Pope and Waimanalo elementary schools. Beyond tutoring, the program has three hours of activities until 6 p.m. at the gym, on the beach or at Bishop Museum.

The ocean-based program emphasizes Hawaiian culture to about 40 students in fifth and sixth grade. It became a project of the Native Hawaiian Center of Excellence at the John A. Burns School of Medicine in order to get federal funds in 1999.

To supplement its federal grants, the non-profit Hui Malama I Ke Kai Foundation was started in 2002.“O” Ke Kai covers the after school programs, and “I"Ke Kai provides additional financial support for the programs.

Hikalea began volunteering with the foundation in November 2005 when his granddaughter,sixth-grader Kalaimanuia, was a participant from Blanche Pope (when they needed money for the New Zealand trip). Although Kalaimanuia is no longer with the program, Hikalea has stayed on to help out.

“I feel this program does a lot for the community,“added Hikalea.“It provides the children someplace to connect to give them an outlet to see other things outside of Waimanalo. I see it as a real benefit for the young ones.”

Tickets for Pearl Jam’s Blaisdell Center concert have been on sale since Oct. 21 and are available at www.ticketmaster.com all Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 1-877-750-4400. Kings of Leon will open for them.

Pearl Jam will be the opening act for the much-anticipated U2 concert on Dec. 9. That event is at Aloha Stadium.