Lee Cataluna has been telling Hawai’i stories for 25 years, and has worked in local radio, television and newspapers. Born on Maui, raised on the neighbor islands, as her family moved frequently for her father’s job in sugar. Lee went to nine different schools before graduating from Baldwin High School. She might have been your classmate.
Lee tells it like it is in Hawai’i, “Oh, but in Hawai’i, we love favors. We love having a friend on the inside. It is how so much business is transacted.” [1]
UPDATE 9.15.25: Concert Attracted Some 28,000+ George “Fiji” Veikoso Forever Fans
100,000s watched on the live stream and it was a beautiful tribute to a man who gave the world so much love in his music. Many of the artists listed in the initial promo didn’t show — likely why tickers were free. However, mahalos to those who could perform: Ilona Irvine, Robi Kahakalau, Bu La‘ia, Sean Na‘auao, Henry Kapono, Harold “H-Dawg” Kama, Jr., Na Waiho‘olu‘u o ke Anuenue (Na Wai), Bryan Kessler, Wade “Che” Camburn, Peni Dean, Danny Kennedy, Tim “Papa T” Troxell, Joe “J.D” cq Daniels, Kelly “Kelly Boy” De Lima, Kapena De Lima, Lilo De Lima Tuala, Tivaini “Tiva” Tatofi, Teimomi “Timo” Tatofi, Jeff Rasmussen, Loeka Longakit, Xayliah and Pohaikealoha Longakit, Spawnbreezie, Lapi Mariner, Johnny Suite, Josh Tatofi, Maoli, Common Kings, Irie Love and the Green.
UPDATE 9.12.25: LIVE STREAM LINK and DETAILS
Livestream: Watch free on YouTube – @FijiTheArtist on September 13, 2025 at 5:00 PM HST.
Over 30,000 are expected at Kapi‘olani Park and Waikīkī Shell. Please plan ahead for traffic, parking, and safety.
Event Schedule
- 12:00 PM – Doors open at Kapi‘olani Park
- 4:00 PM – Doors open at Waikīkī Shell
- 5:00 PM – Welcome & Showtime
Livestream Details
The tribute will be streamed live on the official YouTube channel: youtube.com/@FijiTheArtist.
- Start time: 5:00 PM HST
- No ticket or subscription required
- Open the link on your phone, computer, smart TV, or search “@FijiTheArtist” and click the live stream
Traffic & Road Impacts
Heavy traffic is expected. Arrive early or use alternative transportation. HPD will assist with traffic flow on surface streets, and additional street closures may occur around the venue.
Parking, Shuttles & Rideshare
- Limited parking near the venue.
- Additional parking at:
- Neal S. Blaisdell Center — 777 Ward Ave, Honolulu, HI 96814
- Tom Moffatt Waikīkī Shell — 2805 Monsarrat Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815
- Bus shuttles and trolleys will service pick-ups and drop-offs to/from Blaisdell and the Waikīkī Shell.
- Parking fees may apply; locations may be announced as they become available.
- ADA Parking: Limited ADA stalls near Waikīkī Shell and designated areas around Kapi‘olani Park; first-come, first-served.
- Rideshare / Drop-off: Waikīkī Elementary Parking Lot, 3710 Leahi Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815.
Keiki (Children) & Re-Entry
- Children under 2 years old do not need a ticket if seated on a parent’s lap.
- All guests ages 3+ must have a ticket.
- Re-entry is not allowed at Waikīkī Shell.
Food & Drinks
- Kapi‘olani Park: Food vendors available; you’re encouraged to bring your own food and beverages to enjoy with ‘ohana.
- Waikīkī Shell: No outside food or beverages; concessions and vendors are available.
Security, Smoking & Cameras
- Enhanced security measures are in place for everyone’s safety.
- No audio/video recording devices (including iPads, GoPros, and cameras) allowed.
- Smoking (including vaping/e-cigarettes) only in posted designated areas; violations subject to removal.
Waikīkī Shell – Bag Policy
- Small bags/purses allowed. Clear bag policy enforced.
- Max bag size: 12″ × 6″ × 12″. Small clutch: 6″ × 9″ × 5″ (non-clear clutches subject to additional search).
- All bags will be searched prior to entry.
- Guests have the right to refuse a bag search and the venue has the right to refuse entry.
Waikīkī Shell – Allowable & Restricted Items
Allowable
- Blanket, small lawn mat, soft-sided seat cushion, poncho or jacket
- Strollers: Allowed if collapsible and stored under the seat
- Service animals as defined by the ADA
Restricted
- Large bags/backpacks
- Weapons; sharp objects; pepper spray; illegal drugs; vapes
- Cans, bottles, coolers; outside food & beverages; alcohol
- Chairs, tents, pop-ups, canopies; umbrellas; wagons
- Confetti, balloons, lasers; skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles
- Animals (except ADA service animals)
- Professional cameras; GoPro; motorized remote-controlled devices (incl. drones)
- Spray paint; large markers; any item posing a safety risk
Seated Access: Ticketed seating requires a wristband provided upon entry.
Kapi‘olani Park – Allowable & Restricted Items
Allowable
- Beach-style or lawn chairs; picnic mats (up to 6×8 ft)
- Coolers/insulated bags
- Personal snacks, meals, and drinks in sealed or reusable containers (no glass); water bottles (empty or filled, plastic/metal)
- Small personal umbrellas (up to 42″)—lower if obstructing views
- Bags/backpacks for essentials (sunscreen, hats, jackets, meds)
- Strollers & wagons (must not block pathways)
- Service animals (ADA-compliant)
- Personal, non-professional cameras & phones for photos
- Necessary medical items (prescriptions, EpiPens, insulin, etc.)
- Children’s items (diaper bags, baby food, small toys)
Restricted
- Tents/canopies blocking sightlines
- Weapons/dangerous items (firearms, knives over 2″, pepper spray); fireworks; explosives
- Glass containers (bottles, jars)
- Professional recording equipment (drones, tripods, detachable-lens cameras, live-stream rigs) without prior approval
- Large bags/luggage exceeding 12×6×12 in.
- Open flames/cooking devices (grills ≤12″, stoves, candles); keep on the perimeter
- Unauthorized vending items, flyers, or merchandise intended for distribution/sale
Guest Code of Conduct
All patrons are responsible for their conduct and the conduct of their guests. Staff will maintain an atmosphere where all can enjoy the tribute.
Behaviors that may result in ejection, arrest, and/or loss of ticket privileges include:
- Harassment; foul, obscene, offensive, or abusive language/actions
- Obstructing the view or enjoyment of other guests
- Signs of impairment due to intoxication
- Smoking outside designated areas
- Fighting; unruly or inconsiderate behavior; throwing objects
- Interfering with the progress of the event or entering restricted areas
- Failure to follow instructions or sit in assigned location
- Destroying/defacing property; loitering; failure to follow policies
Important: Violators are subject to state law and ejection from Waikīkī Shell and Kapi‘olani Park. Event organizers and venues are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
UPDATE 9.11.25: Can’t Get a Ticket but Can Get a Hotel Room
UPDATE 9.10.25: Limited Sponsor Pods Available – Fiji Tribute Concert
Received this announcement to the FREE FIJI Concert this upcoming Saturday
Aloha,
We’re excited to share that we have a few Sponsor Pods still available for this Saturday’s Fiji Tribute Concert. Each pod includes:• Comfortable seating for 8
• Your own sectioned off area
- Food & 2 drinks per person included
Price: $5,000 per pod ($625 per person)
These are very limited and will go quickly. If you’d like to purchase a pod, click the link below and select a pod to sponsor!tickets.fijiforever.org/events/fijiforever/1831535
Mahalo,
Fiji Forever
Local artists rallied to host a Fiji Forever concert and tribute, September 13, 2025. If O’ahu ever needed an Aloha Stadium, who gives a shit about football, over 100,000 would attend this event. Island people LOVE music. We need a Fiji stadium. And there were NO tickets available for the desperate public who wanted to attend.
Seeking to land some tickets, I opened three browsers: two on my computer, one on my wife’s iPad. Knew competition would be fierce. Fiji is loved and EVERY local artist was pledging to be there. Reminded me of the Live Aid major charity event to feed the people of Ethiopia during the 1985 famine. Who doesn’t remember, “We Are the World”? In O’ahu on September 13th, We are FIJI !!!
Excitement built up. I could feel it in the air, similarly as island energy changed once we all were alerted about the recent tsunami. Logged in to FijiForver.org about 7:30a. Countdown had begun. One hour to go! 15 minutes! One minute … 30 seconds … I was prepped in front of my digital devices, 10, 9, 8 … better than any New Year’s celebration … 7, 6, 5 … more exciting that a Space X launch … 4, 3, 2, 1 … my finger ready to click.
Then ALL three pages refreshed automatically. Had done nothing. And ALL three pages displayed the following message. We never had a chance. FAVORS had been called in. Friends of artists or promoters or those with connections had already snapped up the tickets. Tickets were also allegedly available at Kapiolani Park. Ordinary fans never had a chance. Sure! Everyone submitted their email address to join the “waiting list” and be notified if more tickets would be available. Likely better chance to win the $700 MILLION Powerball tonight.
In Hawai’i, locals love favors, and this example is the reason why. Hawai’i is characterized by scarcity: not enough affordable housing and too few high-paying jobs. Thus, locals love having a friend on the inside, and this is why so much business is transacted in this manner. Unfortunately, that’s why Hawai’i is rated the Most Corrupt state in the nation. Even corrupted this beautiful tribute to one of the greatest artists since IZ !!!
The Green posted to their social media page: [2]
🎶A Hui Hou ~ Fiji Tribute Concert🎶
🗓️Saturday, September 13th
📍Tom Moffat Waikiki Shell + Kapiolani Park
⏰ Doors @ 400pm | Show @ 530pm
Join us for an unforgettable evening, one night only, with some of the biggest names in Jawaiian and Island Reggae, as we pay tribute to our legend @f1j1 under the beautiful Waikiki sky!A LIMITED amount of free ticket reservations will be available starting tomorrow Friday, 8/22 @ 10am HST via link in bio. For more information, visit fijiforever.org!
Untimely Death of Fiji
Fiji, born George Veikoso, was a celebrated Fijian-Hawaiian reggae artist. He passed away in his home country of Fiji on July 23, 2025, at the age of 55, while surrounded by his family. Cause of death has not been not released, though he had he had a history of mobility issues due to a medical condition, and had been dealing with gout.
His death was met with widespread mourning and tributes from fans and fellow artists for his contributions to Polynesian and island reggae music, with the nickname “King of Island Reggae.” Fiji has been one of my lifetime favorite artists.
I have quite a collection of Fiji music. Wanted to add one here to share with you. Although I love each of his songs, thought Jowenna would inspire you:
“It’s only natural for me to feel this way about you. You’re the world’s most beautiful girl. It’s only natural for me to be so protective about you. Oh my sweet Hawaiian girl … Travel the world from the start to the end and never find a woman like you ever again, girl. Love is for real. I know it’s not pretend. I want you with me to the end. You could be my wife. We could build a life. We can come together make the wrong things right. Please open your eyes. We can win the prize. Naturally loving you Hawaiian style. Hawaiian girl.” [3]
Rest in Love, George “Fiji” Veikoso. Your music touched millions of hearts. Your messages and rhythms caused our soul’s to soar. The good frequently leave us too soon, and your departure will be missed. Thank you, mahalo and may Ke Akua sit you right next to her to play your heart-inspiring songs.
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Ko’olau of Kaua’i. I am the Defiant One
“I Believe We Can”
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