Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning artist Willie K. has partnered with Hawaiian Host to serve as the face for its annual Christmas Medley promotion and interisland concert tour.
Willie follows fellow local musician Raiatea Helm, who previously appeared on a special wrapper that was produced for the boxes of chocolate — 14 pieces of Hawaiian Host’s four favorite flavors (MacNut Crunch, Dark Chocolate Macadamia, Maui Caramacs and Original Chocolate Macadamia) — and released original songs to help support the project. Willie has done the same, recording two original songs that have been packaged with two Christmas classics to create a collectible, four-track EP.
“I perform with the Hawaii Youth Symphony … (and) for the last couple years, one of the (Hawaiian Host) execs has a kid in the symphony, and they’ve been asking if I’m interested,” Willie explained earlier this week by phone from Maui. “I’ve pushed for it a bit, myself, too.
“And so we agreed to do it.”
The limited edition boxes are currently available only in Walmart stores in Hawaii. To promote sales of the candy, Willie kicked off an interisland tour today with a lunchtime performance at Walmart Keeaumoku; he’ll also play at Walmart Mililani today at 6 p.m.
“How many people in this world can say they did a Walmart tour,” he said. “How many people?
“Now THAT is something I can look forward to. A Walmart tour! You never know what you’re gonna get. It’s like a box of chocolates!”
Following today’s performances, Willie will also appear at the following stores:
» Saturday, Nov. 6 at noon: Walmart Hilo
» Friday, Nov. 12 at noon: Walmart Pearl City
» Friday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.: Walmart Kunia
» Sunday, Nov. 14 at noon: Walmart Maui
» Friday, Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.: Walmart Kona
» Saturday, Nov. 20 at noon: Walmart Kauai
In addition to the Walmart performances, Willie will also play mini concerts and conduct autograph sessions at NEX Pearl Harbor on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. and at noon on Dec. 5.
Jason Genegabus 