Na Mele 'O Hawai'i is (left to right) Lonny "Lanakila" Walter, "Aunty Bobbie" Ratliff, Jim "Kimo" Lowry and (front) "Rozz" Lowry. Submitted photo

ILWACO, Wash. – The final performance of the 2009 Waikiki Beach free concert series will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Waikiki Beach amphitheater at Cape Disappointment State Park. Na Mele ‘O Hawai’i will take you to the Hawaiian islands to reminisce the serene lifestyle felt from warm waterfalls, light rain in the valleys and majestic mountains.

Na Mele ‘O Hawai’i features “Aunty Bobbie,” Washington state’s “Songbird of Paradise.” Bobbie originally hails from Honolulu, on the island of Oahu. She’s been living on the mainland now for many years and has been singing island melodies throughout the Pacific Northwest, sharing the aloha spirit.

Rosslynn Lowry was originally a Waimanalo girl growing up in the backroads, with the Ko’olau Mountains as her backyard. She moved to Maui at 18, and there she stayed for more than 20 years. That was where she met Jim Lowry, who, when not strumming his guitar, was driving boats in Lahaina Harbor. Whether you are from Hawai’i, have been to Hawai’i or want to go to Hawai’i, Na Mele ‘O Hawai’i will give you a taste of what the Islands truly exude, the aloha spirit. Aunty takes you through Waikiki to remember the lu’aus, surfers and unforgettable sunsets. This will be the first time a Hawaiian band has performed at Waikiki Beach, Wash.

These concerts are provided through a partnership between the Long Beach Area State Parks and the Friends of the Columbia River Gateway, a nonprofit group which funds special events and programs.