Tariff wars hit West Vancouver: American singer dropped from charity concert

The tariff wars have reached West Vancouver. Mayor Mark Sager has announced that American singer Henry Kapono will no longer perform at a February 13 fundraiser at Kay Meek Centre due to the recent U.S. tariffs on Canada.

In a letter to supporters, Sager explained that while the change was disappointing, the “Share Aloha” concert would continue with an adjusted lineup focused on local talent. The Boom Booms, a well-known Vancouver band, will take the stage at the Kay Meek Arts Centre, ensuring an evening of music and community spirit remains intact.

“We admire Henry Kapono’s incredible talent and hope to welcome him in the future,” Sager wrote. “But for now, we are shifting our focus to supporting those in need right here in our backyard.”

Originally, the fundraiser was set to aid survivors of the 2023 Lahaina wildfires in Hawaii. With Kapono’s departure, the event’s charitable efforts will pivot to Enhance West Van’s Shower Program, which provides hygiene facilities and grocery gift cards to vulnerable residents. Sager emphasized that the program serves 120 people monthly, with local seniors making up 85% of participants. Attendees are encouraged to contribute by bringing $25 grocery gift cards to the concert or donating directly to the organization.

The event remains a personal mission for Alexandra Del Mar, who narrowly survived the Lahaina wildfires and held a similar fundraiser in 2023. She described the devastation in an earlier column in North Shore Daily Post, recalling the heartache of seeing the community reduced to ashes and the ongoing struggle of those left behind. “Imagine walking through an area completely flattened by disaster, where your childhood memories have turned to ashes,” she wrote. “At first, the world rushed in to help. But now, the people of Lahaina feel forgotten.”

The Share Aloha concert is on February 13, 2025, at 7 p.m. at the Kay Meek Arts Centre. Tickets remain available, and organizers hope the community will rally behind the new cause, proving that even in difficult times, generosity and solidarity prevail.

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