Star warns of living life in the fast lane

Joe Walsh in 2004, during his second visit to Otatara Pa.

Hosts for veteran rock star and guitarist Joe Walsh's visit to Napier on Tuesday are keeping fingers crossed that Cyclone Pam won't disrupt the plans.

The 67-year-old's break from the History of The Eagles world tour, which included two concerts in Auckland over the weekend with a combined audience of about 75,000, is based around a visit to the restored Otatara Pa site near Taradale.

It was there 26 years ago that he sat on the hillside of te maunga Hikurangi, overlooking the bluff-top fortifications and all of Hawke's Bay from Cape Kidnappers to Mahia, and had what has since been called an "epiphany", which set the path for recovery from the severe drug addiction that threatened to destroy his career and his life.

He returned in 2004 to pay tribute to the site and its part in his life, and spread an anti-drugs message in a unique gathering which included members of rival gangs joining in a haka and welcome.

The same messages are expected in Tuesday's pilgrimage which is being hosted by CAYAD (Community Action Youth and Drugs).

Hawke's Bay CAYAD manager Laurence O'Reilly said Walsh's visit to Otatara will go ahead "even if the weather is a little unkind."

The star and wife Marjorie will be presented with whalebone "matau" (hooks) created by master-carver Hugh Tareha who gave Walsh his original matau back in 1989.

"This little pendant has taken on a talismanic character for Joe," Mr O'Reilly said.

While Walsh's role with the Eagles in New Zealand is complete, and the rest of the group flies out for a break ahead of resuming the tour in Austin, Texas, in May, the guitarist's work to assist those confronted by the perils of intoxicants is just beginning.

He and his wife are staying back for a few more days to, as Walsh puts it, "pay back" for his years lost to addiction, but has already been on one particularly symbolic event on the comparative quiet in Auckland.

One was a visit to Orakei Marae on Friday when he told a gathering of Ngati Whatua: "Don't even go there when it comes to using drugs.

"You start by using drugs and end up with them using you," he said.

On his return to Auckland, Walsh will work with CAYAD Auckland leaders BFM broadcaster Richie Hardcore and Karl Bailey and young musicians. A visit is also planned to the drug and alcohol programme at Paremoremo Prison.

At Otatara tomorrow there will be a haka-powhiri by Maori students from the EIT followed by short speeches from the Mayor of Napier, Bill Dalton, and tribal chief and Ngati Kahungunu iwi chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana.

The waiata for Joe Walsh will be a ukulele version of the Eagles' hit Hotel California by children from Greenmeadows School.

After the formalities, weather permitting said Mr O'Reilly, a lunchtime concert will be held in the Otatara amphitheatre featuring EIT Ideaschool students and graduates Jacki Houkamau, Jontelle Herbert, Fraser Mackenzie, Amanda Weedon and Scarlett Eden.

Mr O'Reilly said members of the public are welcome but should be at Otatara by 11.30am. Entry is by a donation to the Waiohiki Marae building fund.