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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carole Kai

Phone: 306-3869

Email: ethel555@hawaii.rr.com

Augie T’s Hawai`i:

Hawai`i’s funniest son preps for one-man show

and--just maybe--a shot at the big time

SUMMARY: Award-winning comedian Augie T is preparing for a one-man show at the historic Hawai`i Theatre. The result: a DVD “docu-comedy’ from this funny son of Hawai`i, complete with visits to the old neighborhoods. Next stop: Leno, Letterman, Comedy Central!

CONCERT DATE:  Saturday, September 25, 2004, 7:00 PM

LOCATION:  Hawai`i Theatre, 1130 Bethel Street, Honolulu

TICKETS:  $20 advance $25 at the door (available through Box Office; call 528-0506 Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Gold Circle tickets - $100 includes special seating, food & wine reception before concert with Augie T and a reserved copy of the DVD.

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On Saturday, September 25, award-winning local comedian Augie T will perform a one-man show at the historic Hawai`i Theatre.

 There’s a whole lot riding on this one-night, one-man comedy concert, which starts at 7:00 and is being produced by Hawai`i Stars Presents and presented by Impact Events. For starters, it’s going to be taped for a “docu-comedy” that will be distributed to Mainland talk shows and cable networks, in a bid to introduce the comedy of Augie T to mainstream America.

 “Letterman, Leno, anyone!” says the comedian. “I think people on the Mainland are ready to see something that’s different.”

And different is what they’ll get. Woven through the concert footage on this groundbreaking DVD will be real scenes from a real Hawai`i, with gritty, often wildly funny footage of Augie’s world, past and present.  

“I’m gonna go back to my neighborhood, let the camera follow me,” he says. “If I’m doing a bit on mahus in my show, we’ll cut to the clip of me talking to mahus. If I do a bit on ice, we’ll go talk to some guys on ice. You’ll meet my parents and see why I am the way I am.”

Raised in Kalihi’s Kam IV housing as the oldest of six sons, Tulba comes from a Hawai`i that doesn’t look much like the postcards. One of Tulba’s brothers fought batu (crystal meth) addiction. The other served 12 years at Halawa Correctional Facility. Struggling against the pitfalls of growing up in a tough neighborhood, Tulba tried using his fists to get out—first as a street punk, then as a Golden Gloves boxer with Olympic potential. In his first marriage, when Tulba became a father, he did what he thought a stand-up guy should do: he took three jobs to support his new family, and walked away from boxing.  These days, Tulba is happily married to second wife, Kim and is stepdad to her children.

Over the next few years, Augie dutifully settled into a mailroom job at Kapiolani Medical Center, commuting into town by bus from Wai`anae every day. In 1991, he went to the old Honolulu Comedy Club on open-mic night and delivered three minutes of improvised comedy that won over the tough crowd. Within a decade or so, Augie would become co-host of one of the state’s top-rated morning radio shows, co-host of Jan Ken Po, a prime-time game show on Fox affiliate KHON, winner of two Hoku awards, and a regular on Baywatch Hawai`i.

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Augie T writes his own material, and these days, his monologues explore the extremes of hot issues like political correctness, sexuality, makeovers, politics, and racism. Like his comedy heroes--Richard Pryor. Chris Rock, George Carlin, and local comics Rap Reiplinger and mentor Andy Bumatai—Augie isn’t afraid to push the envelope (though he’s eliminated profanity from his act). “I’m just a typical local guy who has strong beliefs. Through comedy I’ve learned how to deal with issues in my own life. For example,” he tosses this casually into the conversation, “in my act, I talk about my son being gay.”

When 18-year-old Bo recently announced his sexual orientation, Augie found himself struggling to understand. “He said, ‘Dad, I’m out of the closet,’ and I said, ‘Well, get back inside! I’m not ready to do this.’  Augie began processing the situation the best way he knew how: he wrote it into his comedy act, with the blessing of his son. “He helped me write it!” Augie says proudly. “He critiqued it and said”, ‘Needs to be more flamboyant, Dad!’”

Not so long ago, Augie told a reporter he didn’t much care about making it big on the Mainland. Now, buoyed by encouragement from celebrity friends like Don Ho and The Rock, and delighted by the Mainland’s embrace of Hawaiian exports like Jasmine Trias and Camille Velasquez, he’s decided to give it his best shot.

After performing in venues across the Pacific, Mainland Japan, Augie believes that misconceptions about the islands may be disappearing. “Six million people come to Hawai`i every year, 60 million over the last ten years. They kinda know about our subculture!” And the rest of the world seems to find Hawai`i nothing short of fascinating. “Everywhere you go on the Mainland, as soon as you say you’re from Hawai`i, magic happens.”

The magic might simply be in Augie himself, and his ability to find connections with audiences, no matter who they are. He hopes even his most outrageous local characters will be endearingly familiar to Mainlanders when they see the DVD. “I no care if they have to put subtitles on the bottom of the screen! When I’m talking about religion, or my uncle, people are cracking up! Everybody has a stupid uncle, and who knows, in today’s society maybe even a gay son.”

When Augie won his 1999 Hoku award (Best Comedy Album for Da Comedy Kahuna!), he thanked his fellow commuters on the 93 Express bus from Waianae in his acceptance speech. “The first time I never had to catch a bus six years ago, I thought, ‘All right! I made it in life!’” This “typical local guy” is thinking about coming full circle with his upcoming concert. “I might end up catching the bus on September 25, so I can remember where I came from, just to take away all my nervousness. Everybody standing in line at the theater, hopefully, will see me get off the cross-town bus.”

AUGIE TULBA

Augie Tulba (aka Augie T.)  performs live on stage and on television for audiences here in the islands as well as across the United States.   He has recently been voted the funniest comic in Hawaii by Star Bulletin and Midweek and has been the core artist in the revival of thel Hawaii comedy scene these past four years.  Augie's humble beginnings are the source of much of his comedy that rings tones of familiarity in everyone even if they are not from Hawaii.

He can be seen on television in various commercials and also hosted last years number one game show Jan Ken Po.  He can be heard each weekday on Island Rhythm 98.5 radio.  Together with his partner Lanai, Augie has created the funniest morning show in the market!

 His popularity is matched only by his good heart and humble personality.  He expresses a genuine concern for others and volunteers much of his time to help in the local community.  Such notable causes he is affiliated include:  Easter Seals of Hawaii, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, The Weed and Seed Program and the Read to Me Programs.  A dyslexic himself, Augie volunteers to reach out to students in local day care and elementary schools and give them hope that they too can overcome this condition.

 With two Na Hoku Hano Hano Award winning albums, a Hawaii Music Award, an award for Favorite comedian from Honolulu Weekly, multiple television shows, a top rated morning show, a comedy show series (the Comedy Shack) which has been selling out for the past four years and his latest accomplishment as one of the 2004 recipient of the prestigious Pacific Business News “40 Under 40” award.  Augie is one of the top two radio-team personalities in Hawaii that can draw ticket sales. He represents the "everyman" for the Hawaii Market.