From left, Jason Jerome, Roger McKinley, Mark Jackson and Ray Chin rehearse for the upcoming benefit.

KAANAPALI – Have you ever seen a bagpiper play with a rock band? Probably not; certainly not on Maui.

The awesome Fred’s Garage band (founder Fred no longer plays in the group) is setting a new standard for rock and roll in West Maui and will play with bagpiper Roger McKinley at a new Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset golf-dinner gala on March 14.

Lahaina Music rocked after hours last week as the band and bagpiper rehearsed. The combination may help the gala surpass the popular “Savor the Sunset” benefits for the Lahaina Public Library renovation sponsored by Sunset’s sister afternoon club.

Everyone associated with Fred’s Garage is an example of the remarkable people we have here on the West Side.

Frenetic drummer Ray Chin is an accomplished real estate agent by day.

Jason Jerome, who plays bass guitar, owns Lahaina Music and gives free ukulele lessons at Lahaina Cannery Mall and resorts.

“The experience of playing with a bagpiper makes things interesting. It can be boring playing the same songs all the time,” Jerome said.

Lead guitarist Mark Jackson, who started surfing in Southern California at age eight, is considered one of the most seasoned guitar players on the local Maui music scene, according to the band’s website.

The Rotary event, called “Go for the Green,” is spearheaded by an energetic committee headed by interior designer Renee Ward, also a new member of the club.

Co-president Liz May, who is the club’s “auction queen,” has run auctions at both the afternoon and evening clubs. When she’s not busy running 5A Rent A Space, May supports Women Helping Women. She also holds recycling weekends at the storage facility up in Honokowai.

Co-president Jim Fahnestock, when not forming and presiding over the new club, heads The Vintage at Kaanapali ‘ohana condominium group, which is at work building a greater sense of community.

The “Go for the Green” event is not to be missed. Bring your dancing shoes or go barefoot. And by the way, there is golf with it, too. Call May at 669-5200 or Google “Rotary Club of Lahaina Sunset” to see the rehearsal band in action.

SIGN HERE – When you write a book, it never occurs to you that you will have the fun of signing it for purchasers and adding a message – sometimes funny, sometimes personal. Most authors, however, dash off a line and sign their name. My creations sometimes bring on temporary writer’s block.

Debbie Brown, who lives near Toronto and is among the many who visit Kaanapali Beach Hotel every year, has taken the concept one step further, going around and getting those profiled in the book “Voices of Aloha” to sign as well. Signees include Malihini Heath, Dale Simonsen and General Manager Mike White of the Kaanapali Beach Hotel; Patti, Bobbie and Clayton from the valet staff; Pastor Laki Ka’ahumanu; and perhaps others on Front Street.

Why is she doing this? It just makes the book a little bit more special, she said. Made the author’s day.

CORRECTION: Details of a project at Kaanapali Alii mentioned here were apparently not correct, though obtained from a usually reliable source. An attempt to confirm the information on deadline failed, because the GM was on the Mainland. The columnist regrets any errors.