New York, NY – November 17, 2023 – Today, four-time GRAMMY Award Winners and Rock & Roll Hall of Famers, The Doobie Brothers, have released a brand new single “Lahaina” along with a music video to provide aid and support to Maui amidst the fires that have devastated the community. The star-studded “Lahaina,” featuring Mick Fleetwood, Jake Shimabukuro, and Henry Kapono, is the group’s first release since their 2021 album Liberté, and will serve as a beacon of hope to the victims and a commemoration to the town that has been ravaged by the disaster. Proceeds from the writing of the song will go to the fundraising efforts on behalf of the People’s Fund of Maui and The Doobie Brothers will also be donating $100,000 to the organization which provides direct financial assistance to over 8,000 Maui community members displaced from the devastating fires in Lahaina and Kula.
“As our people of Maui piece their lives and homes back together, we’re grateful to have the genuine support and beautiful music of The Doobie Brothers,” said Dwayne Johnson, co-founder of People’s Fund of Maui. “A longtime resident of the island, Pat understands the Maui community and the tragic devastation its residents are bravely overcoming. ‘Lahaina’ is a song that both captures our aloha spirit and will help to make a real difference in the recovery.”
“It was such an honor to be included in this special song by the Doobie Brothers for the people of Maui. Music unites people and strengthens communities. I hope this song will bring comfort and healing to all those affected by the Maui wildfires,” Jake Shimabukuro stated.
While an international tragedy, the Maui fires hit close to home for The Doobie Brothers. Co-written by guitarist and vocalist Pat Simmons, “Lahaina” holds a special significance to him. Having called Maui home for nearly 30 years and raising his children and grandchildren there, Pat has witnessed the profound impact of the Hawaii fires firsthand. His emotional tie to the community, combined with his musical prowess, has led to the creation of a song that is both hopeful and a means of driving meaningful change.
“I’ve been a resident of Maui for 28 years now and I wanted to make a tribute to the place I’ve called home for so long and help bring awareness and donations for the recovery and relief efforts there,” said Pat Simmons. “This song is a look back at what Lahaina has meant to all of us. So many people have walked the streets of Lahaina and have felt that aloha spirit and we hope that one day we will walk those streets again.”
Pat co-wrote “Lahaina” with the help of fellow Doobie Brother Michael McDonald who has had a residence in Lahaina for over 15 years, and John Shanks, a longtime friend and collaborator of the band who produced the song, as well as The Doobie Brothers last album, Liberté. Other close friends on the track, who also have deep-rooted connections to the island, include rock and roll icon and fellow Maui resident Mick Fleetwood on drums, whose restaurant was destroyed in the fires; ukulele virtuoso and multi-award winning Hawaii’ native Jake Shimabukuro; and Grammy-nominated musician and Hawaii’ native Henry Kapono.
With an illustrious career spanning decades, The Doobie Brothers are no stranger to crafting music that resonates with audiences worldwide. “Lahaina” not only captures the scenic beauty of the town but also serves as a tribute to the resilience of its people in the face of adversity. The lyrics, imbued with the band’s personal experiences and emotions, are a testament to the unbreakable spirit of the community. The Doobie Brothers’ commitment to this cause goes beyond just the song; it’s a testament to their unwavering dedication to a community they cherish.
The Doobie Brothers would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of their partners involved in the release of “Lahaina” including:
Michael Donohoe – ThreeTreeCreative
Van Fletcher
Mick Fleetwood
Shep Gordon
Bradley Giroux
Raja Iliya – ThreeTreeCreative
Dwayne Johnson
Henry Kapono
Lynn Pedersen
Matt Schweitzer
John Shanks
Jake Shimabukuro
Kyle Spicer
Oprah Winfrey
People’s Fund of Maui
Full Stop Management
Vector management
Rhino Entertainment
CAA
Island Sound Studios
About The Doobie Brothers
For over five decades, The Doobie Brothers have been known for delivering mind-blowing, roots-based, harmony-laden, guitar-driven rock and roll – all of which recently culminated in an induction into the 2020 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Boasting one of the most loyal fan bases in music, selling more than 48 million albums, and winning four GRAMMY® Awards, The Doobie Brothers continue to write and record new material and tour the world. Their No. 1 singles “Black Water” and “What a Fool Believes,” both gold, lead a catalog of indelible songs that include: “Listen to the Music,” “China Grove,” “Jesus Is Just All Right,” “Rockin’ Down the Highway,” “Long Train Runnin’,” “Take Me In Your Arms,” “Takin’ it to the Streets,” “Minute by Minute,” “You Belong to Me,” “The Doctor” and more. In all, the Doobies have tallied up five top 10 singles and 16 top 40 hits. Beginning with their multi-million-selling sophomore collection Toulouse Street, the Doobies have 3 multi-platinum, 7 platinum, and 14 Gold albums. Best of the Doobies has sold more than 12 million copies – a rare “diamond record.” In 2021, the band kicked off their 50th anniversary tour which reunited Tom Johnston, Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, and John McFee on stage. Additionally, The Doobie Brothers released their autobiography, Long Train Runnin’ on July 26, 2022.
About People’s Fund of Maui Established on August 31, 2023, with support and collaboration from the local community and elders, People’s Fund of Maui was launched by Oprah Winfrey and Dwayne Johnson to provide direct financial support to Maui residents who were displaced by the wildfires.
People’s Fund of Maui is a fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity that meets all 20 Better Business Bureau charity standards and carries the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. Learn more at peoplesfundofmaui.org
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About Jake Shimabukuro:
Over the past two decades, Jake Shimabukuro has proved that there isn’t a style of music that he can’t play. While versatility for any musician is impressive, Jake showcases his transcendent skills as he explores his seemingly limitless vocabulary – whether it’s jazz, rock, blues, bluegrass, folk, or even classical – on perhaps the unlikeliest of instruments: the ‘ukulele. Called “one of the hottest axemen of the past few years [who] doesn’t actually play guitar” (Rolling Stone), Jake Shimabukuro has become one of the most exceptional and innovative ‘ukulele players in the history of the instrument—an artist who has drawn comparisons to musical titans such as Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis.
Jake Shimabukuro recently released Grateful, his most personal project to-date, featuring twenty-two collaborations of a who’s who list of Hawai`i-based musicians from Henry Kapono to Kawika Kahiapo, Brother Noland to Raiatea Helm, John Feary to Bryan Tolentino and John Cruz to Kimié Miner. This collection of songs is performed live, in studio with Shimabukuro’s friends, contemporaries, mentors, and heroes – all kanikapila style in a return to his roots. A portion of the proceeds will go to the People’s Fund of Maui.
Purchase Grateful here
For more information on Jake Shimabukuro: www.jakeshimabukuro.com
