Ron Artis II with instrument recipients.Photo:J. Anthony Martinez Photography
J. Anthony Martinez Photography
Award-winning vocalist, songwriter and guitaristRon Artis IIwas playing the music he loved in a place he loved back in August when he got the dreadful news that the place he loved the mostwas engulfed in flames.
“It’s something that’s really hard to put into words,” Artis, 37, tells PEOPLE. “I mean, I’ve seen devastating fires happen around the world, but it strikes differently when it hits home. You never think that something like that could happen at a place like Hawaii to that extent.” He pauses. “I felt helpless.”
Luckily it was a feeling that didn’t last long, as Artis and his friends almost immediately began brainstorming ideas in which they could help.
“Everyone collectivelyknewwe had to pour into this,” says Artis, a native of Haleiwa, Hawaii who began playing the guitar when he was 13 years old. “This is our family. We knew we had to do whatever we could. That’s something that restores my faith in humanity. All these things that go down can make you feel helpless. And sometimes all you must do is take a step forward.”
Ron Artis II.J. Anthony Martinez Photography
“I was sitting with my wife on the sofa one day and I was like, ‘Why don’t we bring music to them? Why don’t we just bring instruments?'” Artis remembers. “At the beginning, it seemed like a crazy idea. I’m one person and there’s thousands of people affected. How can we get hundreds of instruments to families?" He laughs, then says, “Sometimes, it just takes having a crazy idea and having crazy friends to call.”
The instruments.J. Anthony Martinez Photography
And recently, Artis found his way back to Hawaii for the first time to see the tattered remains of his homeland, butalso was on handto see the true spirit of his Hawaiian comrades at work.
“That’s one beautiful thing I love about Hawaii is that the community there is really what holds everything together,” says Artis, whose song “No Weight” has served as quite the anthem of healing as of late. “At the center of that is music, surfing, the outdoors, all those things. They’re just opportunities for community to get together.”
With the help of many, Artis and his friends packed and shipped over 200 instruments straight to Maui. “I think anyone who’s ever given or donated time and energy understands this,” says Artis. “You go there to give, but in the end, it’s actuallyyouthat ends up doing the most receiving because that feeling of being a part of that moment.”
Ron Artis II with a young recipient of a guitar.J. Anthony Martinez Photography
“One of those kids might be able to really heal through strumming and putting their experiences out through music,” says Artis. “For me, I’ve been doing music since I was young, and it’s been a major therapeutic element in my life personally. Everyone has these feelings and things you have to kind of navigate in your life as you go through loss, so I can’t even imagine the beauty and the impact this could have.”
Ron Artis II sings with a student in Hawaii.J. Anthony Martinez Photography
source: people.com
