By Jason Genegabus

Have you seen it yet?

HILife Online launched last week Thursday to coincide with the change in publication date for our HILife section in the Star-Bulletin’s print edition.

If you like what you’ve seen here in So Necessary over the past two years, you’ll enjoy the expanded arts and entertainment coverage that HILife Online will provide.

And don’t worry… this blog isn’t going to disappear. While many of the breaking news items will now be published in HILife Online, I’ll continue to share my thoughts on Clubland every so often in this space.

As always, mahalo for your support of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin!

By Jason Genegabus

I was sitting in a meeting this afternoon and realized something: Today marks the two-year anniversary of this blog on Starbulletin.com.

When we launched “So Necessary…” in 2006, nobody else at the paper had yet ventured into the blogosphere.

These days, seven of my colleagues have joined me online. We’ve come quite a long way in a short amount of time.

Next week, I hope to be able to introduce the next phase of our online presence at Starbulletin.com. It ties in with the redesign of the paper that will debut on Monday (check out the video above for more details).

Until then, posts on this blog will be sporadic. Thanks for following my work here and in the printed Star-Bulletin over the years.

By Jason Genegabus

Star-Bulletin file photo

I was out in Kaneohe when I noticed the news on Twitter, thanks to KSSK on-air personality Kathy “Kathy with a K” Nakagawa.

Pearl Jam lead singer and part-time Oahu resident Eddie Vedder is coming back to Hawaii in July for a concert on Maui and two shows on Oahu. The visit comes a little more than two years since he shared the stage with Jack Johnson at the 2007 Kokua Festival (pictured).

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By Jason Genegabus

In case you missed his appearance at the Lil Wayne concert on Saturday, superstar rapper/producer/fashionista Kanye West is in town to do some recording and film a new music video.

He’s posted a few updates to his blog during his trip, including the video above that was shot on the open ocean.

While I was watching it, I couldn’t help but think of this.

“I’m on a boat m–f–er, take a look at me / Straight flowing on a boat on the deep blue sea / Busting five knots, wind whipping out my coat / You can’t stop me m–f–er, ’cause I’m on a boat!”

By Jason Genegabus

Jason Genegabus photos

What was easily the biggest hip-hop concert of 2009 (so far) lived up to expectations on Saturday, when Grammy Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne headlined his “I Am Music” tour at the Blaisdell Arena with opening acts Electrik Red and Keri Hilson.

Approximately 6,000 fans packed the venue and showed plenty of aloha to the openers before going nuts for Wayne’s set. Performing on a customized three-level stage complete with fireworks and pyrotechnics, he took the crowd from his early days with Cash Money Records to his latest single, “Prom Queen,” and made sure to give his Young Money Records artists plenty of face time as well.

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By Jason Genegabus

Keri Hilson with Lil Wayne (left) during filming of her music video, “Turnin’ Me On.” (Courtesy photo)

Unless you were paying attention (and knew where to look), it was easy to miss all the behind-the-scenes drama that surrounded Keri Hilson (pictured), the opening act for Saturday’s Honolulu stop of Lil Wayne’s “I Am Music” tour at the Blaisdell Arena, earlier this week.

As is normally the case when big names come to town, the semi-famous artists who travel out here also look for opportunities to make a little extra money on the side. In addition to their shows at the Blaisdell, these folks will agree to autograph signings and meet-and-greets at local nightclubs. Sometimes, they’ll land an additional performance at another venue.

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By Jason Genegabus

Mountain Apple Company photo

Looking for a nice way to spend your Saturday morning? Check out the Plantation Café inside the Ala Moana Hotel for KUMU’s “Breakfast Club.”

From 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. tomorrow, the Plantation Café will offer a breakfast buffet with items such as tropical fruit, made-to-order omelets and waffles and an array of savory breakfast specialties. While you dine, enjoy the smooth sounds of The Saloon Pilots, John Valentine and Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning artist Sean Naauao (pictured).

Tickets for KUMU’s “Breakfast Club” are $21 for adults, $11.50 for keiki under 13 years old. Call 955-4811, Ext. 4070 for info and reservations.

By Jason Genegabus

More Picks:
HIFF Spring Showcase
In the Mix: Band Champ, DJ K-Smooth and more weekend picks
In Concert: The Alison Brown Quartet
Star-Bulletin Staff Picks
SB Nightclub Listings
Crawlspace: Augie Tulba, Keri Hilson and “Smooth Operators”

By Jason Genegabus

The lighting isn’t exactly broadcast quality, but it’s worth taking the time to learn more about these two award-winning local music producers.

Saturday’s party should be pretty epic.

By Jason Genegabus

Sharlene Oshiro photo

The Makaha Sons (pictured) announced yesterday that the first stop of their 2009 “Talk a Walk in the Country” world tour will be in San Diego, Calif. this summer.

For the last seven years, Uncle Moon, Uncle John and Uncle Jerome have hosted their annual “Take a Walk in the Country” concert on Oahu, featuring performances by the Brothers Cazimero, Hapa, Kapena, Ho’okena, Na Palapalai and a number of other talented local acts during that period.

They’re taking the show on the road in 2009, starting on June 12 at the Birch North Park Theater with special guests Willie K, Daniel Ho, Tia Carrere and Augie Tulba. The Sons’ “star dancer,” Kealo Koko, will also make the trip.

VIP tickets, priced at $50 each, are on sale now; call (619) 239-8836 or visit www.birchnorthparktheatre.net to order online.

No word on any other dates scheduled this summer by the Sons, but I’m sure they’ll get something posted at www.makahasons.com as soon as additional concerts are announced.