Local High School Musician Organizes Maui Benefit Concert
When Laguna Beach High School senior Elijah Furar learned about the Maui wildfires that devastated Lahaina in early August, he immediately wanted to help.
“I felt like I needed to do something,” said Furar, 17, who heads up a band named Politik with three of his Laguna Beach High School classmates. “I felt like I had something to offer as a musician to draw people in to come and donate money. Lahaina is kind of a second home for me. When the entire town burned down, it hit pretty hard. It reminded me how Laguna had a similar experience in the 90s.”
After giving it some thought, Furar decided to host a concert for Lahaina to benefit Napili Noho, a nonprofit emergency community resource center on the west side of Maui that is actively supporting victims of the westside fires.
“My sister and her family were one of those who lost their home in the fires,” said Ian Furar, Elijah’s dad. “My brother-in-law was born in Laguna and attended Top of the World and Thurston. We asked my sister what or who the most impactful organization is that is local and getting things done for the community. She said Napili Noho ‘is the community.’ The concert isn’t to benefit my sister or her family in any way, but this is very personal for us.”
Furar will open the show with a solo music set. Then Politik will join their bandmate on stage to play a set before passing the mics to The Skeleton Crew, a local Grateful Dead tribute band, who will close out the evening.
Rasta Rita will supply tacos, margaritas and other beverages for purchase.
Initially, Furar hoped to secure an outdoor venue like Laguna’s popular Music in the Park summer concerts.
“I went to city hall and met the recreation coordinator, Andrea Tirnauer. She helped me out a lot,” Furar said.
However, after learning the permit for an outdoor concert would have to be approved by city council, and with the date of Oct. 8 already set, Furar had to firm up an alternative venue. And fast.
“They said the next council meeting would be Oct. 24, so it was already too late,” Furar said. “I committed to Oct. 8, and I didn’t want people to forget about Maui, so I was trying to get the location and other details locked in as soon as possible.”
Not discouraged, Furar made more calls and eventually secured a space at the Woman’s Club at 286 Saint Ann’s Drive.
“At the beginning, I had no idea what I was doing at all. In fact, it was a little intimidating,” Furar said. “But I asked a lot of questions and got pretty far. I didn’t give up and landed on the Woman’s Club. So, I’m thankful that that happened.”
Concert tickets are a suggested $35 donation. More information about Furar’s benefit concert can be found at Lagunaformaui.com. Find out more about Politik on Instagram at @politiktheband and The Skeleton Crew at @ocskeletoncrew.
