Entertainment workers need silenced Waikiki to come alive
By: Charissa Porter
30 November 2020
Soundsex AKA Miko Franconi playing for house gathering. (Charissa Porter)
Waikiki is a world-famous nightlife hot-spot for both tourists and Hawai’i locals. The nightlife here on O‘ahu attracts partygoers from around the world. A resident DJ and father here shared his experience of uncertainty within the industry. Miko Franconi has been in the business for over a decade, working in major cities across the United States.
“I’ve had the privilege of playing festivals like Ultra music festival, Burning Man, Electric Daisy carnival. There are some more obscure ones like Candy Carnival and things like that. That I have done in So Cal too,” Franconi said.
DJs, bartenders, servers, musicians and club owners and managers have all taken a tremendous hit from the COVID-19 shutdown.
The nightlife industry has been completely silenced throughout the pandemic.
Nightclubs and bars have been left in the dark for more than half a year with no official date on when they can return to work.
Dance floors normally packed with people, with drinks and music flowing, have been left in silence for months.
Some have closed their doors forever. Many feel betrayed because in June and early re-opening of bars got their hopes up that things would be back to normal soon.
Tourism did return to Hawai’i on Oct. 15, so there is finally some hope. But after being burned once, Waikiki entertainers are not counting on anything.
Miko Franconi AKA Soundsex has played in festivals like Ultra music festival, Burning Man, Electric Daisy carnival.
He is also the youngest brother of Dance music legend, Superstar Dj Keoki. (Charissa Porter)
“Not really anyone is talking about re-opening. However, a lot of people are talking about being innovative and coming up with ways to do this,” Franconi said. “I mean safely, throughout the pandemic. If clubs and bars do have to remain closed for you know, who knows, 4, 5, 6 more months, what can we do between now and then to support ourselves?”