You’ve seen the ads.  “CBS Cares.”  On December 15, 2013, the network proved just that when some of its stars were on hand for a radio-thon to aid the Philippines’ typhoon victims by raising money for food, clean water, and supplies.

A Need Met

Clear Channel Media’s VP and General Manager, Chuck Cotton, organized an outdoor concert at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and called it “Kokua (help) for the Philippines.”  Though many local celebrities were set to perform, on the day of the event, Hawaii was blasted with such a torrential rainstorm that the show couldn’t go on.  Undaunted, Cotton resorted to his plan B and transformed his live televised outdoor concert to a live radio broadcast, with the help of station KSSK, and a live webcast.

Though his long list of celebrity guests got suddenly shorter, participants still included EMKE, Brother Noland, Mick Fleetwood, Kalei Gamiao, Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Aidan James, Henry Kapono, Kealoha, Kristian Lei, Marco Lopez, Clifford Naeole, A.J. Rafael, and a special appearance by Jimmy Buffett with Jake Shimabukuro.  The cast of the CBS-TV series Hawaii Five-0 even showed up to man the phones for callers to make donations.  Five-0 actors who participated were Alex O’Loughlin (Steve McGarrett), Daniel Dae Kim (Chin Ho Kelly), Grace Park (Kono Kalakaua), Chi McBride (Lou Grover), Mark Dacascos (Wo Fat), Dennis Chun (Duke Lukela), Al Harrington (Mamo Kahike), and Teilor Grubbs (Grace Williams).  Additionally, Kim, McBride, and O’Loughlin starred in three CBS-produced PSA’s to aid victims of the hard-hit typhoon area of the Philippines.

Aloha Spirit

In response to the radiothon, Coralie Matayoshi, Chief Executive Officer of the Amercian Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, had this to say, “The people of Hawaii have been incredibly generous and wanting to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.  It’s amazing how much aloha Hawaii has for those in need.”

Help Ongoing

Massive devastation occurred when Typhoon Haiyan hit the Philippines on November 7, 2013, leaving 4 million people homeless, more than 3,000 killed, almost 4,000 injured, and more than 75 missing.  Among the organizations radiothon proceeds benefitted were the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.  For more information on Red Cross efforts, please visit http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Slide-Show-Typhoon-Haiyan.

On December 15 alone, Kokua for the Philippines raised more than $1.7 million dollars.  Information about the project may be obtained by going to http://kokuaforthephilippines.com.  An original painting of humpback whales by renowned artist Wyland was also set to be auctioned, with 100% of the proceeds going to aid the Philippines.