Renowned local music producer and musician Kenneth Makuakane will be celebrating the release of his new album, "The White Bathtub," on Thursday with a CD release party at the Ala Moana Hotel's Pakele Lounge. Special guests include Barry Flanagan, Walt Keale, Obrian Eselu and Stephen Inglis.

And as with all Pakele Lounge performances, the event will be broadcast live on the web. So if you can't be there in person, you can log on and join in from anywhere in the world... though fans in Japan have their own special link.

Kenneth has received more than twelve Na Hoku Hanohano awards, and has production credits on over one hundred albums. He's written songs that have been performed by some of the most recognizable names in Hawaiian music, as well by artists in Japan. His work has turned up everywhere from the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival to major motion picture soundtracks.

I first got to know Kenneth over two years ago, when I was just getting started in podcasting. He was one of the first Hawaiian musicians to allow his songs to be shared through the then-new medium. I featured several of his tracks on my podcast, as did many others. Considering his already substantial reputation and immense audience, it was heartening to see that he embraced the new as well as the traditional.

He even came to PodCamp+WordCamp Hawaii to connect with both musicians and tech heads.

The concert taping and live internet broadcast runs from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. HST on Jan. 8. Admission is free, in person and online! If you're not on the island and will be connecting from afar, send an e-mail to pakele@lava.net -- the Pakele Lounge folks love to see how far their events reach.

If you're on Facebook, you can RSVP here.