Questions people ask
Short answers. If yours isn’t here, ask me.
Do you own equipment?
No, on purpose. I own my ears, my tools and my show files. Sound systems, LED, lighting, staging and crew come from our production partners and other trusted local companies, chosen for each show. You get the right inventory for your room without paying for a warehouse.
Can you work with our hotel’s in-house AV?
Yes. Sometimes I mix on their system, sometimes I bring production in alongside them. I read the AV section of your hotel contract first, so you know what fees apply before anything gets ordered.
What is a patch fee?
Many hotels charge a fee when outside AV connects to the house sound system or works in the room. It usually lives in the contract you signed for the space, and it can sometimes be negotiated before you sign. Ask me before you sign.
How far ahead should we book?
For a big conference or gala, three to six months. For a single-room event, a few weeks is usually fine. If your date is close, call. I’ll tell you honestly whether I can do it well.
Do you work on neighbor islands?
Yes: Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi. Neighbor island shows add a travel day at a reduced rate, plus airfare, lodging, ground transport and per diem at cost.
Can you help if our budget is small?
Yes. Nonprofits, churches, schools and cultural groups get community rates, and I’ll show you where the money matters and where it doesn’t.
We already have a quote. Will you look at it?
Please do send it. I’ll mark every line and tell you what it should cost. You can use the review with your current vendor. If you book with me afterward, the fee comes off your total.
How do deposits work?
A 50% deposit holds your date. The balance is due seven days before the show. Overtime and day-of changes go on a short final invoice afterward.
Do you charge Hawaiʻi GET?
Yes. General excise tax appears on its own line at the rate the state allows businesses to pass on.
Can you mix our band if our engineer can’t travel?
Yes. Send your show file and console model if you have them, or a recording of a recent show. I’ll build from there and talk with your engineer before the date.
Do you do livestreams?
I produce the audio for livestreams and bring in a streaming partner for cameras and encoding, so the online audience hears the same show the room does.
Do you work with nonprofits and churches?
All the time. That’s where I started.
Tell me about the show.
Date, room, rough headcount, and whatever is keeping you up at night. I answer every request myself, usually the same day.