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Tuesday, October 14, 2025 - Today, the Hua Momona Foundation (HMF) announces the inaugural advisory board for the Hua Momona Maui Youth Music Program, led by Lahaina-born ukulele artist Naiwi Teruya, which includes world-class musicians Billy Cox(Band of Gypsys, The Jimi Hendrix Experience), Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones), Nicholas Tremulis (Chicago musician, Emmy-winning composer, and “Chicago mayor of music”), John Cruz (Grammy-winning Hawaiian singer-songwriter), Darryl Jones(bassist, The Rolling Stones), and Vince Esquire (Hawaiian musician, Kanekoa, Gregg Allman Band).
The ambassadors will lend their expertise to program development and interactive workshops in Maui and across the Maui Music & Food Experience (MMFE) tour, mentoring the next generation of musicians.
In addition to expanding its youth programs, the Hua Momona Foundation is extending its reach beyond Hawaii, bringing the Maui Music & Food Experience to the Continental United States for the first time. The newly announced show will take place on November 7 at Chicago’s Copernicus Center Gateway Theater, a beautifully restored historic venue in the heart of Jefferson Park. Headlining the Chicago MMFE stop is soul icon Bettye LaVette, joined by Grammy winner Lisa Fischer and Chicago’s own Nicholas Tremulis & the Prodigals, featuring Bernard Fowler (The Rolling Stones). They’ll share the stage with Grammy-winning Hawaiian artist John Cruz, rising Lahaina-born ukulele virtuoso Naiwi Teruya, and Chicago house legend DJ Lady D, who will set the vibe between sets.
Tickets are on sale now HERE
Early purchase is encouraged to secure the best available rates, as ticket prices will increase on November 1st. Ticket options include:
• General Admission ($57.90)
• General Admission Plus ($90.90) - Includes priority seating
• VIP ($222.90) - Includes a private reception from 5 pm - 7 pm with food from Hawaiian favorite, Da Local Boy Cafe, and complimentary drinks from 5 pm -7 pm, plus high priority seating. Cash bar available after 7 pm.
• Platinum ($554.00) - Includes front row seats, an MMFE swag bag, and a private reception from 5 pm -7 pm with food from Hawaiian favorite, Da Local Boy. Complimentary bar provided throughout the night.
Just ahead of the Chicago benefit show, on Thursday, November 6th at 4:00 PM, the Hua Momona Foundation and Maui Music & Food Experience will host a special Songs and Stories event with Billy Cox and Nicholas Tremulis at Collaboraction’s House of Belonging (Kimball Arts Center, 1757 N. Kimball Ave., Humboldt Park) to kick off the Maui Youth Music Program. Cox, the legendary bassist and the only surviving musician to have regularly performed with Jimi Hendrix, will join Chicago music mainstay Tremulis for a live conversation reflecting on his early days with Hendrix and the music they created together. Following their discussion, three young artists from Collaboraction’s youth music program — El Rae, Jason Delgado, and Kristian Mitchell — will perform original songs for Billy and Nicholas, who will offer feedback and encouragement. Guests may even be treated to an impromptu performance from the two musicians.
The event is free and open to the public: RSVP HERE.
These initiatives continue the Hua Momona Foundation’s ongoing commitment to rebuilding and uplifting the Maui community. Founded by the team at Hua Momona Farms in Lahaina, the foundation has been at the forefront of relief efforts following the devastating 2023 Lahaina fires—the deadliest in U.S. history. With recovery still slow and thousands of residents in need of food, housing, and employment while awaiting federal funding, the foundation has served more than 80,000 meals and raised $450,000 to provide essential support, including food distribution, housing assistance, mental health care, and more. The Maui Youth Music Program builds on this mission, using music as a tool for healing, connection, and long-term community revitalization.
For the Chicago MMFE, to bring an authentic taste of Maui to Chicago, Hua Momona Farm Executive Chef, Next Level Chef finalist, and Chopped finalist, Chef Zach Laidlaw will collaborate with Chef Nate Domingo of Da Local Boy, the acclaimed Maui-born chef behind the Highwood restaurant praised by The New York Times for its “Goldilocks-level” poke bowls, perfectly grilled beef short ribs, and crispy, chewy chicken fried in sweet rice flour for Chicago’s MMFE. Together, they’ll craft a menu that highlights Hua Momona’s microgreens and sustainably grown ingredients, offering guests a true farm-to-table experience that captures the flavors and spirit of the islands.
The culinary collaboration will take center stage at Hua Momona Foundation’s special gala fundraiser on November 8 at the Sanfilippo Estate in Barrington, Illinois. The evening will feature a four-course dinner prepared by Chef Laidlaw, accompanied by wine pairings curated by Hua Momona’s sommelier, Richard Olson. Guests will also enjoy live performances from John Cruz and Naiwi Teruya, providing an intimate and inspiring continuation of the Maui-inspired celebration.
The Hilton Rosemont is the official host hotel of the Chicago MMFE, and hotel rooms are available for purchase HERE.
This Chicago debut follows the success of the 2nd annual Maui Music & Food Experience, held August 15–16 at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa, which welcomed more than 1,000 guests and raised $200,000 for the foundation. The event featured performances by Hawaiian artists Paula Fuga, Tavana, and Kanekoa, alongside Ivan Neville’s Dumpstaphunk with special guests Mick Fleetwood, Ernie Isley, Bernard Fowler, and Wayne Baker Brooks in a spirited tribute to Jimi Hendrix.
ABOUT THE HUA MOMONA FOUNDATION:
The Hua Momona Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was founded by the team at Hua Momona Farms to support the Maui community. The Foundation's mission includes providing food, facilitating replacement housing, supporting mental healthcare programs, and hosting fundraising events to benefit local residents. Hua Momona Farms is located on 25 acres in West Maui, 1300 ft above sea level with a jaw-dropping view of the neighboring island of Molokai. The farm grows fresh, organic microgreens and more from our elevated oasis. The Hua Momona Foundation supports on-island charitable efforts through agricultural activities, providing hot meals, distributing fresh local produce, facilitating housing replacement, supporting mental healthcare programs, and is now launching the Hua Momona Youth Ukulele Ensemble and Music Program with teenagers from Lahaina. To date, the foundation has served over 80,000 hot, fresh meals to those impacted by the Lahaina Fires.
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MAUI MUSIC AND FOOD EXPERIENCE ON THE WEB:
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