All three Bruno Mars shows at Blaisdell sold out

The two originally schedule Bruno Mars concerts were sold out within half an hour and a third show in just over an hour, a Blaisdell Center official said.

Shortly after it became obvious that the two original shows scheduled for April 18-19 were going to sell out after they went on sale at 9 a.m., a third show for April 21 was added a 10 a.m. “because of unprecedented demand,” promoter Tom Moffatt said.

This morning Kailani Akana was the first person to buy tickets at the Blaisdell Center for Mars’ concerts in his home town of Honolulu.

Akana said that her fellow Stevenson Intermediate School classmate Peter Hernandez was always “very motivated” and very talented.

Akana was in line with nearly 500 people for the chance to see Hernandez, now known as Bruno Mars, in concert at the Neil Blaisdell arena in April.

Akana was the 242nd person in the line, which snaked from the box office to the parking structure and around the block.

But because tickets were distributed using a random token system, Akana was boosted to the head of the line.

“I am really excited,” said Akana who had been in line since 6 this morning.

Akana said she was going to buy the maximum tickets allowed each token holder – eight.

Tickets for Mars’ Moonshine Jungle World Tour concerts in Honolulu for April 18 and 19 went on sale at 9 a.m. Prices were $99.50 for floor seats in the arena.

Random tokens were passed out at 8 a.m. Despite camping out Sunday night, those first in line may not have been the first to get tickets.

The tickets sales started the day after Mars’ performance with guests the Red Hot Chili Peppers during halftime at the Super Bowl.

Alyssa Choi went to the Blaisdell at 10:30 Sunday night with her dog, Roo, hoping for a chance at the best seats.

Choi said that Mars’ Super Bowl half time show Sunday night was “amazing.”

“I hope he brings that show here.”

Jane Morrison was at the Blaisdell at 5:30 this morning to buy six tickets.

“All my six grandchildren love him,” Morrison said.

Kevin Haina, who joined the line at 5:45 a.m., said “the half-time show was better than the game.”

“Bruno scored more points than the Super Bowl,” added Haina referring to the blow-out win by the Seattle Seahawks over the Denver Broncos.

Haina said his wife attended school with Mars’ mother, Bernadette Hernandez, who died last year.

Mars began his Super Bowl show with a drum solo tribute to his mother. The bass drum on his kit had a heart with his mother’s name on it, similar to a tattoo Mars has on his arm.

Mars and his band The Hooligans performed “Locked Out Of Heaven,” “Treasure” and “Runaway Baby.”

The Red Hot Chili Peppers sang “Give It Away” with Mars and the show ended with a solo rendition of “Just The Way You Are” amid a fireworks show.

Mars was born and raised in Hawaii and graduated from Roosevelt High School where his portrait is among those that adorn the gallery of distinguished graduates. He performed as Little Elvis in a Waikiki show as a child.