"RIDERS ON THE STORM" BREAK ON THROUGH

“I have Jim Morrison posters all over my house,” said Daniels, whose only disappointment came when more people wouldn’t dance with her in the aisles. “It was the first Doors concert I’ve ever been to. It was a blast!”  The highlight came when she landed back stage passes from someone she met during the concert. “I got to take pictures of everybody.”

Thursday night’s concert/luau at the Waikiki Shell in Kapiolani Park attracted 18,000 people stockpiling carbohydrates and positive energy before the marathon. They sailed through efficient buffet lines and sat on the grass to enjoy an evening of entertainment.

Organist and percussion pianist Ray Manzarek played old favorites such as “Light My Fire” and “Riders on the Storm” with Robby Krieger, who wrote several of the original band’s hits. Former Cult singer Ian Astbury supplied vocals.

But according a group of Honolulu residents, ukulele sensation Jake Shimabukuro was the real star. Julie Sestak, Roxene Kelloway, and Jean Quigley, all nurses in Kapiolani Hospital’s pediatric oncology ward, said Jake was obviously well-loved by the Japanese guests, now familiar with the 28-year-old after he stopped in eight cities on a tour of Japan this year. He also released his fourth CD, “Dragon,” in October, and performed in 42 American cities. Though he has performed at the Honolulu Marathon concert/luau for several years, Shimabukuro is now gaining international recognition, and was invited to be the musical guest on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” the week following the marathon.

“I haven’t seen him in a long time,” said Sestak. “He’s fantastic. You couldn’t even see his hands because they were moving so quickly!”