Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Aloha from Oahu! I am here with country artist Tyler Braden and rock group Neon Trees! We are here to celebrate 250th Birthday of America and it is also RIMPAC. RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise, held biennially in and around the Hawaiian Islands, including Oahu. It brings together about 30 nations. We have our 1st show on July 3 at MCBH and July 4 at JPPHH.
My two bands are arriving at different times with Neon getting in around 3pm and Tyler’s group not till 9pm. Frank met Neon at the airport with the driver – Gene from Oahu Party Bus. Once they arrived at the hotel, I met them in the lobby and was able to get everyone checked in sucessfully. Unfortunately 1 member of the group picked up the wrong black suitcase (not theirs) and ended up taking a cab back to the airport to hopefully get his and return the wrong one!
Once all of Neon was checked in – Dusty, their TM and I confirmed the 7am pick up time for tomorrow for soundcheck at MCBH.
Had time to grab dinner at Monkeypod with the kids then back to the hotel to wait for Tyler Braden group. who arrived closer to 10pm. Again, no issues with check in. The staff at the Outrigger Paradise has been so nice and they are located in the heart of Waikiki – only 2 blocks from the ocean. Eric, Tyler’s TM and I confirmed their 1:30pm pick up for soundcheck tomorrow.
Up to the room to grab a few hours of sleep.
Lindsey
Thursday – July 2 – Soundcheck day at Marine Corps Base Hawaii
Gene with Oahu Party Bus picked up me and Neon Trees band / crew at 7:00 am for the 30 min drive to MCBH. It is located on the east side of the island and OMG it is a beautiful drive over. You even see some of the area where Jurassic Park was filmed! When we arrived the MWR staff and “Chef” had breakfast pastries and fruit for us. Neon actually freighted their gear over a few days earlier and Klinton and his production team had it all ready for them to go.
While Neon was setting up, Frank got a golf cart and took me up to the golf course to see the view from hole 13. This course is private to the base and the view is spectacular – there is also a small private beach. I took pics and sent it to my brother Chris who is currently escorting a tour in Japan with We The Kings. Chris and Frank are friends and both are avid golfers. I am not sure if my brother is talking to me now…
Elaine and Chris with Neon arrive at the base at 10 to do the full soundcheck and then at 11 we were ready to head back to the hotel. Grabbed a quick salad from the ABC store across the street and then headed back out MCBH with Tyler Braden group at 1:30 pm
There is another act – Allen Stone who is also performing but not one of my tours. He was finishing up his soundcheck when we arrived. We had about an hour before Tyler was needed for soundcheck so the MWR staff took Tyler, Marissa and I to the firestation on base. Tyler is a former firefighter, and they were excited to have him come and say hello and do a little Meet and Greet with them. Once we got Tyler back to the stage it started to downpour and delayed our start. Frank and I were so happy how smoothly things were going and had hoped for an early finish.. not so. It rained again, delaying us again and we finally left the base close to 7pm and arrived back at the hotel around 7:30. I grabbed another quick bite at the store next door and then up to bed.
Lindsey
Friday, July 3, 2026 – 1st show at Marine Corp Base Hawaii
Kids and I went down to the beach for awhile before I have to leave at 2pm for the show. They rented some boogie boards for a few hours. I am glad we went down early because by 11 am it was packed! The girls went up to shower and me, Zac and Owen grabbed lunch at the food court next door in the International Market place. I ran up to the room and grabbed my bag and headed out with Tyler. We did a small meet and greet before he took the stage at 4:30. The gates had just opened so the field was filling in as he started his show and he had some major country fans in the crowd. He has a really strong country sound and was well received. Allen Stone took the stage after Tyler and I got Tyler and his band loaded up and headed back to the hotel as Neon Tree’s was arriving.
We had about 50 people for their Meet and Greet and they were just about through when “Taps” was played and it is quiet time. So we all stood silent and still while it played for a few minutes. Once we resumed the Meet and Greet I asked the band if that was a first for them and they said “Yeah”
By the time Neon took the stage the field was packed! They have a very high energy amazing show, I even saw people crowd surfing! Neon finished right out time and then the National Anthem was sung and then 10 mins of fireworks!
Klinton and his production team will load up all the gear and transfer it over Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam for tomorrow nights show.
Got back to the hotel around 11pm and crashed.
Lindsey
Saturday – July 4, 2026 – Happy 4th of July! – 2nd show at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam
Up at 7am and me and me and the girls went to grab some breakfast while the boys were waking up. We then drove over to the south park of the island, about 15 mins away , to our dear friends Bryan and Alec house. They have a beautiful house that they bought here about a year and half ago and it is stunning!! We sat and chatted for a few with them at the house then they took us to lunch at the Plumeria Beach House at the world famous Kahala Hotel. It was such a nice visit and amazing food.
Got back to the hotel at 1:30 and dropped kids off and then followed the shuttle bus that was taking Tyler Braden over to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam for the 2nd show. The kids are taking an Uber over later on and will get to come on base for tonights shows.
Tyler took the stage at 4:30pm and played 75 mins – another great show. While Allen Stone was on, Bryan texted that they were in the crowd so I went out and said hello.
The kids arrived around 5pm. There are a ton of activities going on around the base for RIMPAC and of course there is “ship row” with a ton of naval ships docked. I am not sure if any were open for walking tours though.
Again, the MWR staff here on base was so kind and took really great care of us and providing anything we needed.
Neon had some time so after rmeeting the Base Commander, one of his security drove some of the band around the base. They took the stage at 8:00 pm to another packed field and put on another amazing show. Once they finished the base did their 4th of July fireworks show. Neon loaded up to go back to the hotel and the kids and I drove back in my rental car. We have to fly home tomorrow 🙁
Frank and I have talked several times about how well everything went with both shows and what a great line up it was.
Thank you to the MWR staff at MCBH and JBPHH – you did an amazing job hosting both events and taking such great care of everyone!
Thank you to Gene and his drivers at Oahu Party Bus – everyone was so nice and professional.
Thank you to Klinton and his production team for all their hard work on set up, tear down, transporting the equipment and making everything run on time.
Tyler Braden and Neon Trees – You all made the July 4th celebrations epic for everyone that attended! Thank you for being so gracious and kind to everyone at each base. I hope to work with you all again.
Lindsey
