Hawaiian recording artist Raiatea Helm is donating half of the proceeds from the sale of her new mini-CD “Ave Maria” (after covering production and manufacturing costs) to the diocese’s Office for Social Ministry.
The two-time Grammy-nominated singer recorded the Latin-language classic to the simple accompaniment of ukulele virtuoso musician Bryan Tolentino.
The CD also includes the hymn “Amazing Grace” and the popular Hawaiian standard “Kimo Henderson Hula” by Helen Desha Beamer.
The other 50 percent of the profits will go to the Raiatea Helm Hawaiian Music Foundation to support youth education.
Helm and Tolentino performed “Ave Maria” at two morning Masses Dec. 15 at Star of the Sea Church in Waialae.
Composer, musician and Star of the Sea School teacher Keith Haugen posted in Facebook that “their live performance matched the wonderful recording, simple and unpretentious, great talent.”
“I hope they sell a million copies,” he said.
The CD may be purchased via mail order from Spotlight Productions LLC, PO Box 37902, Honolulu, HI 96837, or at the Diocese of Honolulu Chancery, 1184 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813. For information, contact Guy Sibilla at 258-5297, or sibilla@hawaii.rr.com.
