MEDIA RELEASE

Two comedy shows featuring Filipino comics Augie T and Rex Navarrete will be presented on Hawai’i Island to benefit the hundreds of thousands affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in November 2013.

The “Laugh for Relief” tour will stop in Kona on Saturday, March 8 at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, and on Saturday, March 15 at the Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium in Hilo.

Tickets for the Kona show are $20 presale, $25 at the door. Tickets for the Hilo show are $15 presale, $20 at the door. Presale tickets are available at KTA Super Stores and Waikoloa Village Market, and online at AugieT.com.

Typhoon Haiyan devastated the central Philippines, causing widespread destruction and killing thousands. The storm—one of the most powerful ever recorded—slammed into the island of Leyte on Nov. 8, 2013 with sustained winds reported as high as 195 mph and gusts up to 230 mph, flooding coastal communities. It triggered landslides, uprooted trees, and destroyed homes and entire communities as it quickly moved across the archipelago. Officials fear that up to 10,000 people could be dead in the city of Tacloban alone. Reports indicate that almost 650,000 people have been displaced.

Proceeds will be used for a reconstruction project in Ormoc City, a sister city of the County of Hawai’i. In 2012, a delegation from Hawai’i Island led by Mayor Billy Kenoi visited Ormoc and neighboring towns in the region, all devastated by Typhoon Haiyan.

Augie T was voted Comedian of the Year as the funniest comic in Hawai’i by the Star Bulletin and Midweek newspapers and has been the core artist in the revival of the Hawai’i comedy scene. Augie T is the only local comedian to sell out the Blaisdell Arena, have 5 number one selling comedy DVD’s, and voted best comedy show by Honolulu Magazine. He also has his own show “AugieTV” on K5.

Rex Navarrete is one of the most popular Filipino comedians today and tours all over the United States. He is currently working on his own television series, “Rex In The City” for MTV Philippines.

Laugh for Relief is presented on Hawai‘i Island by the Hawai’i Construction Alliance with the support of the County of Hawai’i, KTA Super Stores, Heineken, T&T Electric, Kaiser Permanente, HGEA, Hawaiian Airlines, Extreme Sound & Lighting Hawai’i, GW Construction, the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 50, and the COVO Foundation.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit AugieT.com or call (808) 364-7765.