Tributes continue for ‘Aunty Nona’ Beamer
Oahu luau next month, legacy salute SaturdayBy KEKOA ENOMOTO, Staff Writer
POSTED: May 11, 2008
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The event will celebrate the life of Winona “Aunty Nona” Beamer with food and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14 at the Kekuhaupi‘o fieldhouse of the Kamehameha Schools Kapalama on Oahu. Cost, if any, is to be announced, organizers said.
Beamer, who also will be saluted at a Ho‘oilina (legacy) concert at 6 p.m. Saturday at Baldwin Auditorium, died April 10 on Maui. She was 84.
Her son, award-winning recording artist Keola Beamer of Lahaina, said the paina, or party, is in response to “the extreme outpouring of love and aloha from all over the world” after the kumu hula’s death.
“She didn’t want a formal kind of funeral, but she didn’t say we couldn’t have a party,” he said. “It’s going to be put on by friends at the Kamehameha Schools. We will just gather, sing a few songs and celebrate mom’s life.”
He added that recently “we scattered mom’s ashes in Waimea (Hawaii island). Close ohana were there, the way she would have liked; she’s where she wants to be.”
Musicians or halau wishing to perform at the June 14 paina are asked to call event coordinator Kaho‘onei Panoke at 244-8068.
Guests are asked to wear the color orange or a butterfly, both Nona Beamer favorites, and organizers requested no media coverage during the event, according to her wishes.
A calabash will be placed at the door for donations to Beamer family entities: Hula Preservation Society, P.O. Box 6274, Kaneohe 96744; Mohala Hou Foundation, PMB 685, 843 Wainee St., No. 107, Lahaina 96761; and the Beamer family scholarships, with checks made to Ke Ali‘i Pauahi Foundation, 567 S. King St., Suite 160, Honolulu 96813 (write “Beamer scholarships” on a check’s memo line).
For tickets to Saturday’s Ho‘oilina concert in Wailuku, call 283-7542.
• Contact Kekoa Enomoto at kekoa@mauinews.com.
