Pictures from Jake Shimabukuro's Concert

First of all, I would like to thank Jake Shimabukuro for coming to Saipan. I would also like to thank the Concert Committee for having Olomwaay open for Jake. Also, many, many thanks to the hard working volunteers of Beautify CNMI! especially the security, sound and stage crew whose names are listed below:

Security, Sound & Stage Committee:
1. Jacob Lizama, Sound & Stage crew
2. Joe Saures, Sound & Stage crew
3. AJ Kaipat Lizama, Sound & Stage crew
4. Cris Kaipat, Head of Sound Operations
5. Pete Towai, Head of Security (two other recruits ... sorry did not write their names down)

Pete Towai and I helped organize the 25th Annual Flame Tree Arts Festival in 2006. I was placed in charge of the Entertainment Committee and only had two months to put together a four-day show for the Commonwealth. Pete's networking abilities helped put the Entertainment Committee in total control of the festival. We had a successful event and went on to receive recognition from the community and the local goverment.

Pete Towai introduced me to Jake Shimabukuro on YouTube back in 2006. My inital reaction when I first saw the video was, "WOW!" I never thought that great things could actually come from a little instrument like the ukulele. Right away, I knew that having him at the Flame Tree Festival would be a MAJOR deal. Unfortunately, timing and budget was not in our favor so the idea was set aside.

When I learned that Beautify CNMI! had teamed up with HANMI this year to bring Jake Shimabukuro to Saipan, I just couldn't believe it. The Committee requested for Olomwaay to open for Jake, so I recruited Pete Towai again to help me oversee security. I introduced Pete to Jake Shimabukuro during our sound check. Jake autographed Pete's uke, so I think that made Pete very happy. : )

I am posting photos taken by my good friend, Hideo Honda of HYS, Inc. a.k.a Photographic Republic (marianas_way2@yahoo.com).

(Above Photo) The Jungle Stage, Saipan World Resort.

Photo above: Pete Towai (right) given a load down on security operations by Moises Pangelinan, Manager of Security for the Saipan World Resort (left).

(Olomway - left to right): Benji Limes, 2nd lead guitarist; Dolores Saures, Uke player; Gus Kaipat, Lead vocals & guitarist; Cris Kaipat, Uke player and Miki Lisua, Bassman.

Oops! almost forgot...Olomwaay's youngest member, Jun Kaipat Lizama, Uke player (age 6).

(Photo above) Volunteers take a picture with Jake.

(Photo above) My family kicking back: Vio, Maggie, Cinta, Linda and Angelo. Oops! and Benji way in the back.

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