‘Laugh for Relief’ coming to Kona

‘Laugh for Relief’ coming to Kona

A comedy show featuring Filipino comics Augie T and Rex Navarrete will be presented Saturday to benefit the hundreds of thousands affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines in November.

The “Laugh for Relief” tour will stop in Kona on Saturday at King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel. Tickets are $20 presale, $25 at the door. 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 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.

Proceeds will be used for a reconstruction project in Ormoc City, a sister city of the County of Hawaii. In 2012, a delegation from Hawaii 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 Hawaii by the Honolulu Star Bulletin and Midweek and has been the core artist in the revival of the Hawaii comedy scene. Augie T is the only local comedian to sell out the Blaisdell Arena, have five No. 1 selling comedy DVDs, and voted best comedy show by Honolulu Magazine. He also has his own show “AugieTV” on K5.

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 Hawaii Island by the Hawaii Construction Alliance with the support of Hawaii County, KTA Super Stores, Heineken, T&T Electric, Kaiser Permanente, HGEA, Hawaiian Airlines, Extreme Sound & Lighting Hawaii, 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 364-7765.