(click on thumbnail photos)

For the week of February 06, 2009 through February 12, 2009
TERRITORIAL AIRWAVES,  

Your Source for the History of Hawaiian Music,

Presents:

"GARDEN ISLE STARS" !   From the 10,000+ recordings in the Territorial Airwaves archives, we always strive to bring you music from numerous decades. !   In this show, we'll share music from the 1920s through the 1970s!   This time, we'll share the music "Garden Isle Stars"!   We'll remember that Kaua'i Island Motor Tours in the days of the Territory of Hawaii were conducted by driver-guides, who sang to their touring visitors, as well as told them stories about the areas they saw. Kaua'i's hotels featured musicians who grew up together in the nearby communities.  The "Holoholo Trio" and the "Maka Trio" performed at the "Hanalei Plantation" while the "Coco Palms Ambassadors", the "Torchlighters", and Larry Rivera all performed at the "Coco Palms".   Join us as we share recordings illustrating that "Kaua'i Island" sound of Hawaiian music, and we'll call it "Garden Isle Stars"!

 

ALOHA HARRY B: JUST A LITTLE NOTE IN REFERENCE TO YOUR UPCOMING SHOW THIS WEEKEND AND YOUR FEATURE OF KAUAI ISLAND STARS.   OF ALL THE GROUPS MENTIONED I AM ONLY FAMILIAR WITH ONE. AND I GUESS THE REASON FOR THAT IS MY SISTER WAS A MUSICIAN FOR THEM.  THATS THE  GROUP OF ACHORS GRAYLINE  KAUAI MOTOR TOURS.  MY SISTER WAS  A TOUR DRIVER FOR ACHORS BACK IN THE DAYS OF THE FORTIES.  SISTERS NAME WAS ANNIE HOLT FROM KEKAHA.    I HAVE A 45 CALLED "YOUR TRIP TO KAUAI".  ONE SIDE IS THE FEATURED SONG AT THE FERN GROTTO KE KALI NEI AU.  AND ON THE OTHER SIDE ARE THE SONGS NANI KAUAI  LEI ANA IKA MOKIHANA AND NANI WALE LIHUE.  ALL THE SONGS ARE SUNG BY THE SINGING DRIVER GUIDES OF ACHORS GRAY LINE, KAUAI MOTOR TOURS.   SOME OF THE DRIVERS SINGING ON THIS ALBUM IF I CAN REMEMBER THEM ARE MICKEY WAIAU, ILI WAALANI, LANI, JIM  AND ANNIE SURE BRINGS BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES OF THOSE GOOD OLD DAYS   MAHALO FOR YOUR GOOD OLD FASHIONED HAWAIIAN MUSIC.   AND A GREAT BIG MAHALO TO KEHAU FOR KEEPING US POSTED ON WHATS HAPPENING.   MALAMA PONO   MANNY K,   ALOHA OREGON

For the week of July 18 through July 24, 2008 TERRITORIAL AIRWAVES,   Your Source for the History of Hawaiian Music, MYRA ENGLISH - "HAWAII'S CHAMPAGNE LADY" !   Another great lady that Manny played with for years     Click here: Myra English: 'Champagne Lady' of isles dies at 68 http://www.moolelo.com/myra-english.html From the 10,000+ recordings in the Territorial Airwaves archives, We bring you music from the 1960s and 1970s!   This time, we'll remember that Myra English, Hawaii's 'Champagne Lady', lived from February 22, 1933 to March 21, 2001 !     The incomparable Myra English Gibbs, with her authentic Hawaiian style permeating the atmosphere with unbridled bombastic joy!   Myra English exuded personality, beauty, and talent, as she sang her heart out at each and every stage appearance.  Fierce but fragile, she was the entire package of entertainment.   We celebrate the life and music of the one and only, Myra English! 1-   KHBC - Myra English 2-   Ku'u Sweetie - Myra English 3-   Fireman's Hula -  Myra English 4-   Waiomina - Myra English 5-   Drinking Champagne - Myra English 6-   Many Happy Hangovers To You - Myra English 7-   Kauhale O Kamapua'a - Myra English 8-   Aloha Ka Manini - Myra English 9-   Maui Moon - Myra English 10- Huli Ho'i - Myra English 11- Nohili E - Myra English 12- Kahukia'ialo - Myra English 13- Oh, How I Miss You Tonight - Myra English

 

Fulfilling ‘Destiny’ was a 4-year journey for the Cazimeros The new CD is viewed as validation of years spent preserving Hawaiian music

IF MANNY WOULD ONLY ''WRITE'' HE COULD TALK ABOUT THEM AS LITTLE BOYS WHEN HE USED TO PLAY MUSIC WITH THEIR FATHER AND MOTHER..........THE REALLY GOOD OLD DAYS.

Orson Wells became known in the last years of his life for commercials about selling no wine "before its time." Pete Seeger, borrowing from the Book of Ecclesiastes, wrote that "to everything there is a season." Robert Cazimero, considering the Brothers Cazimero's first album in four years, says simply, "It's the right time, but then the other answer would be, 'It's always the right time.'" 

"Destiny," the long-awaited follow-up to 2004's "Some Call It Aloha ... Don't Tell," which was nominated for a Grammy Award, will be in stores tomorrow.

If I had my way, I would flood Hawaiian music into Hawaii (and) into the radio stations every single day," Robert continued while Brother Roland (a k a "Boze") looked on approvingly. "I think what's happening now in Hawaii is that you're getting other kinds of 'island-influenced' music, and so it's real easy for our kind of music to be lost." "Why now, this album?" Roland jumped in. "We've talked about it, and everything just worked out. It's destiny ... and I really do like the album. I'm not patting myself on the back, but pat myself on the back!"

The Brothers introduced several songs from "Destiny" at the Hawaii Theater in March. Now they'll be working full time promoting it. "I have three (favorite songs) -- at this time," Robert says, responding to the inevitable question. The first is "Paumalu." The next is "'Ikua." The third, it seems, is a tie between "Ka 'Imi Loa" and the opening number, "Ne Ke Anoa Ahiahi." "It's very different, very cool, very us. Very what we're centered on as far as our talent is concerned, and so it's very difficult for me to choose just one (favorite)," he explains. The four-year break, Robert says, gave them time to "get excited again" about recording and promoting a new release. Recording it was an experience Roland recalls as making difficult decisions and surprising discoveries. "It was a little difficult at first because we weren't sure where we were going to go, but once we started to get into the groove it just happened, and it got to be fun." Taking a long-range view, Robert sees "Destiny" as validation of their 30 years of work to preserve and perpetuate Hawaiian music. "It's what we've always tried to do, but I think the maturity of who we are and what we have become has helped validate and cement even more the history and the legacy and the destiny of what Roland and I have been doing."

"Destiny" Brothers Cazimero
(Mountain Apple Company)

Welcome back, Bobby! Welcome back, Boze! "Destiny" epitomizes everything Hawaii has loved about the Brothers Cazimero for so long. Their instantly recognizable voices and imaginative arrangements are the two common denominators in this glorious celebration of modern Hawaiian music. The first few bars of the opening number, "No Ke Ano Ahiahi," are all it takes to set the mood. Yes, this one was well worth the wait.

"Destiny" would be a perfect choice to win the Grammy Award for Hawaiian Music Album in 2009.

Tradition is honored as compositions by Mekia Kealaka'i and David Nape, and Hawaiian classics by composers now unknown, are reworked Cazimero-style. Contemporary songs are represented with equal success, in pieces written or co-written by Snowbird Bento, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Manu Boyd, Keli'i Tau'a and Robert Cazimero.

The vocal interplay on "Ka 'Imi Loa" makes it an instant favorite -- solo voices here, harmonizing there, and a gradual shift into falsetto for the finale. But then comes Robert as the lead on "Hanohano Hawai'i"/"Na Moku 'Eha," sister Kanoe Cazimero joining in on a seductive new song titled "'Ikua," and then Robert's "Paumalu," and it is evident that each song is destined to be memorable.

The Brothers' up-tempo rendition of "Waimanalo Blues" (originally "Nanakuli Blues") resonates as well. It's a switch from the doleful arrangement popularized by Country Comfort in the 1970s, but the emotions come through with crystal clarity.

The two show their lighter side with "Pi'i Mai Ka Nalu," a song first popularized by Robi Kahakalau and Bu La'ia, and again when they add two English folk songs to a Hawaiian song to create a medley about rain.

A beautifully illustrated booklet completes this perfect "come back" album with lyrics and English translations.

 

JOHN LAKE / 1937-2008 Kumu hula and founder of Halau Mele dies at 70 Kumu Hula John Lake, founder of Halau Mele and a longtime teacher at Saint Louis School, is remembered as a tireless champion of Hawaiian spirit and culture. He died yesterday at age 70. "He understood protocol and how to perpetuate the Hawaiian spirit and the Hawaiian culture with a true spirit of aloha," said Patrick Bullard, a 1981 Saint Louis graduate. A native of Lahaina, Lake was chief of protocol for the canoe Hokule'a when it sailed to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in 1999. He was also kahuna nui of the Puukohola Heiau, built by Kamehameha I in 1791.   STAR-BULLETIN / JUNE 2006 Kumu Hula John Lake presides over his class as they stretch prior to chanting and dancing kahiko. Lake taught both native Hawaiian chant and dance at the Center for Hawaiian Studies at the University of Hawaii at Manoa Hula master John Keola Lake, a teacher who worked tirelessly to perpetuate the Hawaiian culture, died yesterday at the age of 70. Lake died at Straub Clinic & Hospital of complications from pneumonia, his son Joshua Lake said. He had been battling cancer for about five years. "His energy and his spirit was definitely there to the end," Lake said. "He just wouldn't stop." John Lake was a teacher at Saint Louis School for more than 30 years, teaching Spanish and history and starting the school's Hawaiian Studies Program. "He understood protocol and how to perpetuate the Hawaiian spirit and the Hawaiian culture with a true spirit of aloha," said Patrick Bullard, a 1981 Saint Louis graduate and former student of Lake's. "He also perpetuated the Hawaiian culture with a true understanding of the way it should be," said Bullard, senior director of Heinrich Marketing. In April, Saint Louis celebrated Lake at its Ohana Festival, which he started about 20 years ago. Lake had also been recognized as Outstanding Hawaiian Civic Club member, Outstanding Hawaiian in 1980, and Outstanding Teacher of the Year by Saint Louis School in 1985. Born in Lahaina on Oct. 11, 1937, Lake graduated from Saint Anthony's High School in Wailuku and then attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He graduated from the University of San Francisco and received a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in education. He also received a Master of Arts in linguistics from the University of Valencia, Spain. Lake was fluent in Spanish and Hawaiian. Lake began teaching in 1959 in San Francisco. In 1962 he began teaching at Saint Louis. He founded the after-school Hawaiian club Hui o na Opio in 1965, through which he taught thousands of students at Saint Louis and other schools. In 1993 he retired from Saint Louis after more than 30 years of teaching but continued as a cultural adviser and established the Hawaiian Language and History Institute at Chaminade University, according to the Saint Louis School Web site. After retiring he seemed to only get busier, his son Joshua said. He continued to teach Hawaiian culture as he learned it from his grandmother, he said. He was chief of protocol for the Hokule'a when it voyaged to Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in 1999. He became kahuna nui of the Puukohola Heiau, the state's largest heiau, built by Kamehameha I in 1791, and led an annual summit there every August. "He knew all types of people. He was a connector," Joshua Lake said. Mahealani Wong, who took oli (chant) and hula lessons under Lake for 11 years, said his dance was expressive and his chanting versatile. "You may not have understood the Hawaiian words, but if you watched, if you listened, you just felt like you did." Wong continues to teach at Halau Mele, Lake's school for hula and oli, as Lake had asked her to. "It's the greatest gift a teacher could ask for," he told the Star-Bulletin in 2006. "To be able to look back at my students and see what they've accomplished. ... It's one of the most exciting things to pass down tradition." Lake is survived by his wife of 41 years, Barbara Lake; sons John Jr. and Joshua, and Kapono'ai Molitau; daughter Naomi Lake; and four grandchildren. Services are pending.

Dancing with Hawaii’s stars raises $5,000 for charity Put a standout band in a spectacular location and a large crowd will turn out to dance the night away. That was proved Tuesday night at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel's Monarch Room when the Hawaii Romance Festival brought back an "old-style" dinner-dance called "Dancing With the Stars: Hawaiian Style." About 180 people paid $65 each to get in on it. Guests could dance with their significant other to the Matt Catingub Orchestra and for $10 they got a rubber ring to give to a celebrity for a dance. Approximately $5,000 was raised in sales of rings for the celeb dancers to benefit the Hawaii Arts Alliance. Old-time taxi dancers in Honolulu never did that well. Carolyn Berry, a backer of the festival, and Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona were honored for being tapped by guests for the most dances and getting the most rings ... COURTESY HAWAII ROMANCE FESTIVAL Actress Ann Rutherford, left, chatted with Lt. Gov. Duke Aiona. Several of the celeb dancers enhanced the evening by singing. They included Jimmy Borges, Amy Hanaialii and Candes Gentry, all well-known singers, and Malika Dudley. Malika was a surprise vocalist, belting out "Summertime" in a big, throaty voice. Guest Mihana Souza was asked to sing "I'll Remember You" as Kanoe Cazimero danced hula. Some women in the audience stepped up to hula with her, including Cha Thompson, Dee Jay Mailer and Sweetie Pacarro, all celeb dancers, and guest Aulii Graf, who needed encouragement to get out there although she's a hula pro and was born to dance. Catingub sang many numbers besides leading the band. The girls of the Kamehameha Dance Troupe, 12 strong, performed and there was a cha-cha exhibition by Carlos Chang and his partner. Allen Sviridoff, cofounder of the festival with Catingub and the idea man, was emcee. Actress Ann Rutherford, 87, added star power to the party. We talked about the Waikiki of "olden days." The "Gone With the Wind" supporting actress spent lengthy vacations here in earlier years. She was gracious, looking great for her age and is sharp as a tack ...

May Is Lei Day In Hawai'i An Annual Celebration In The islands The lei known the world over, is a symbol of aloha. Great care is taken into the gathering of the materials to make a lei. After the materials are gathered, they are prepared and then fashioned into a lei. As this is done, the mana (or spirit) of the creator of the lei is sewn or woven into it. Therefore, when you give a lei, you are giving a part of you. Likewise, as you receive a lei, you are receiving a part of the creator of the lei. Traveling to the islands in May?  The islands are scented with the rare flowers on each island...even at the airport, the fumes of aircraft are wonderfully cover by the smell of flowers. May is a perfect time to visit the islands and enjoy all of the festivities prepared for the specific time of year. Department of Parks & Recreation 81st Annual Lei Day Celebration Thursday – May 1, 2008 Queen Kapi‘olani Regional Park Bandstand 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 9:00-9:50 a.m. Royal Hawaiian Band 10:00 a.m.-Noon · Investiture Ceremony for the 2008 Lei Queen & Court · Presentation of the Guinness World Record for the World’s Longest Fresh Flower Lei (approximately 11:15A) · Official Opening of the Lei Contest Exhibit by the 2008 Lei Queen & Court @ (approximately Noon) 11:30 a.m.-Noon Music Noon-12:50 p.m. Makaha Sons 1:00-1:50 p.m. Na Wahine O Ka Hula Mai Ka Pu‘uwai 2:00-2:50 p.m Hula Halau Na ‘Opio O Ko‘olau 3:00-3:50 p.m. Kapena 4:00-5:30 p.m. Halau Hula ‘O Hokulani The Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association will play from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., in the lei exhibit/ho‘olaule‘a area (open area between the bandstand and the shell). The Lei Contest Exhibit will be open to the public from 12:30-5:30 p.m., in the open area between the bandstand and the shell. Lei Contest (traditional, youth, and lipine) Registration: each lei must be accompanied by a completed official entry form, submitted to the Lei Receiving booth at Queen Kapi‘olani Park on May 1, 2008, from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Judging is from 10:00 a.m. to Noon. Lei Contest information, rules and application forms may be downloaded from: www.honoluluparks.com A Ho‘olaule‘a of Hawaiian craft exhibits and demonstrations (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.); and craft, lei and food vendors will also be in the park all day. All events are free and open to the public.

We're trying to figure out who this group is. The photograph shows  them in front of Don the Beachcombers so it must have been a group  that played there. Someone thought the small guy in the middle looked  like a young Kui Lee but the outfits look 1970ish and Kui Lee died  mid 1960s plus he has no connection with Don Beach.

The Surfers... TOP ROW LEFT TO R: ALAN NALUAI--guitar, JOE STEVENS--drums, CLAYTON NALUAI--bass upright- BOTTOM ROW LEFT to R: BUDDY NALUAI--organ, RAY PADER--bass guitar, PAT SYLVA--vibes & brass Alan, Clay, Pat & Bernie. aka: The Surfers !   We'll remember that in 1957, brothers Alan & Clayton Naluai were attending Glendale Junior College in Glendale, California.  There they befriended two other Hawaiians: percussionist Bernie Ching, and Pat Sylva, a multi-instrumentalist who could hold his own on the piano, vibes, ukulele, or trombone.  As all four of them sang as well, the quartet began performing in backyard luau in Southern California, but over the next couple of decades, they made numerous recordings and played top engagements both home in Hawaii and on the mainland!      Their trademark 4-part harmony remains unique and memorable! They played at the Latitude 20 in Los Angeles or Hollywood in early 60's--70's.  They formed the group THE SURFERS while at college in Glendale, California.  There was only 4 of them, Clayton, Alan, Pat and Bernie Ching, when they were in California. When they returned to Hawaii, this was the group.  This sign was on the Kalakaua street side of Int'l Market Place, ''DON THE BEACHCOMBER'' and they all played there.Then Kimo McVey took over the place, and changed the name to DUKE'S, and Don Ho opened there.  THE SURFERS went into another venue within Int'l Mkt Plc, just can't think of the name of it then. Great picture- Have been trying to post some of the 'old time info and photos', but no time to catch up and write about each one, all the things stuck in my cobwebs in my head, can be put down in writing, for others to learn and remember.  I spent most all my life in Waikiki, playing music and surfing, and of course, supporting the 'bars', so I don't stop to realize how many other people do not know the history of each of the places.

 

Lifelong friend of Manny K's 

Waterman blazed trail to waves of North Shore

Surf legend built first modern catamaran

Big-wave surfing pioneer Woodbridge "Woody" P. Brown, who is also credited with building the first modern catamaran to take tourists on rides off Waikiki Beach, died last week. He was 96 and surfed regularly until he was 90, his family said.

"He was one of the first five or six people in the planet to surf Hawaii's big waves," said David Brown, who produced a documentary on Woody Brown's life. In the documentary, Woody Brown talked about surfing Oahu's North Shore: "I always wanted to challenge death. I loved to get just as close to death as I possibly could and then dodge it. That was my thrill in life."

---

Woodbridge "Woody" P. Brown, a big-wave surfing pioneer, catamaran designer and early surfboard maker, died last week in Kahului. He was 96.

Brown, who was also called "Spider" because of his unique stance on the surfboard, died Wednesday from complications caused by a hip fracture, his family said.

Brown was one of three surfers photographed charging down a giant Makaha wave in 1953. The iconic photo, which appeared in newspapers around the world, is credited with triggering a migration of surfers to Hawaii.

George Downing, who along with Buzzy Trent, was also on the 20-foot wave, recalled the ride yesterday. "(Brown) was the only one that made the wave. That was point break at Makaha," said Downing. "Where Woody was he was on the perfect place on the wave."

"He was one of the first five or six people in the planet to surf Hawaii's big waves," said filmmaker David Brown, who is of no relation. "He was really an inspiring legend in the world of surfing."

Born in New York on April 5, 1912, as the older of two children, he left school at 16 to chase his dream of flying. With his wife and stepdaughter, he moved to California in 1935, where he flew gliders and began to surf, making his own boards out of plywood. In 1939, he set a world record for distance and altitude in a glider.

Traumatized by his wife's death during childbirth, Brown put his stepdaughter and son up for adoption and moved to Hawaii.

In 1947, Brown is credited with designing and building the first modern catamaran inspired by twin-hull canoes he saw in the South Pacific during World War II and armed with aeronautical engineering and lightweight construction knowledge.

He used the catamaran, named the Manu Kai, to make a living of taking tourists out from Waikiki.

"He was way ahead of his time," Downing said. "His craftsmanship, he was very meticulous."

He added that Brown was an all-around waterman -- a strong paddler, diver, and sailor. In 1943, Brown and his friend Dickie Cross were surfing 20-foot waves at Sunset when the surf rose to 40 feet, trapping the friends at sea. They paddled to Waimea Bay thinking they could come in there, but Cross didn't make it through the breakers at Waimea.

Surfers avoided Waimea Bay for nearly 15 years afterward.

In the last 30 years of his life, Woody Brown's philosophy centered around working in harmony with nature, said David Brown, who made a documentary, "Of Wind and Waves: The Life of Woody Brown."

PHOTO BY THOMAS TSUZUKI This Makaha wave photo taken by Thomas "Scoop" Tsuzuki shows Woodbridge "Woody" P. Brown, left, along with big-wave riders George Downing and Buzzy Trent, on a 20-foot wave. The photo ran on the front page of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on Nov. 27, 1953, and in papers nationwide.

"He really felt a very strong connection to nature with waves of every description," David Brown said. "His first waves of wind in the air, then waves of water in the ocean, then the biggest wave of all, the spiritual wave." Brown survived two wives and has five children, including his youngest, 20-year-old Woody Brown, Jr. Including his son Woody, Brown is survived by his wife of 21 years Macrene Brown; sons William Parker Brown and Jeffrey Sellon; daughters Mary Sue Gannon and Jennifer Snyder; 10 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. "He spoke to all kinds of different people on different levels," said his daughter Mary Sue Gannon, 63, of Kula, Maui. "He was from the heart. He really cared that people were happy." Services will be Friday at Ballard Family Mortuary. Casual attire. Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. with service at 7:30 p.m. followed by cremation.

MANNY'S NEPHEW    PASSED 3/31/07       15 April 2008 “Uncle” Ronnie Holt Day   As declared a year ago by Mayor Bryan Baptiste, April 15th is Ronnie Holt day (not tax day).       Someone once said that the people we meet throughout our lives become a part of us.  Uncle Ronnie left a positive impression upon many of us fortunate enough to have worked with him.  We all have the image, indelible in our minds, of the tall, handsome Hawaiian who always cheered us up and always kept it real.  He was always the first to reach out to others and make them feel comfortable.  The old-timers often recollect, “that guy was some basketball player” or “hoo! He was one awesome volleyball player.”  The 6-foot-5 athlete always stood a little taller than the rest.  I respect the man who traveled the world with the Harlem Globetrotters, served his community as a Police Officer for the duration of 30-years, was a loving father, and devoted husband.  Whether you remember him jockeying for a parking space in front of Café Ohana, drinking coffee in the morning, reading a newspaper in the cart, laughing out loud, or telling a manager what he really thought…take a moment to remember.  Ronnie traveled around the world three times with the Harlem Globetrotters. In those days, the Globetrotters featured Marcus Haynes, J.C. Gibson, Nate “Sweetwater” Clifton, “Meadowlark” Lemon and Reese “Goose” Tatum, to mention a few. He played with the best of them. Ron was a sports enthusiast and was himself recognized as the MVP Mountain Ball Pitcher. He played baseball, basketball, volleyball and golf.   As Uncle Ronnie used to say, “see you when I see you.” 

 

 Holoku Ball

This year's Holokū Ball^SM 2008
The Monarch Room of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
HONORING

Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa

 

 

JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Mahi Beamer, center, was joined by brother Milton, left, sister Sunbeam, Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa and Kapono Beamer as he made his formal entrance at the Hawaiian Civic Club of Honolulu's 2007 Holoku Ball at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on March 3. Mahi Beamer, one of three 2007 award recipients, was honored for his career as a falsetto vocalist, pianist, entertainer and recording artist. Marmionette Magoon Kaaihue, Gaye Beamer, "Uncle Keola" Beamer and Dayna Dias Beamer were among other members of the Beamer ohana who attended. Proceeds from the event help fund the HCCH scholarship program.

 

HCCH honoree Nina Keali'iwahamana got a congratulatory hug from Dr. Kalani Brady. Keali'iwahamana was recognized for her years as an entertainer and recording artist, and for continuing "to dazzle audiences with her impeccable performance and truly Hawaiian demeanor." Hawaiian businessman and philanthropist Watters O. Martin Jr. was the third HCCH honoree.

Multitalented Kealoha Kalama and her musicians -- Ainsley Haleamau, left, and Jeff Teves -- got the party off to a perfect start with an hour of Hawaiian and hapa-haole classics.

 

 

MUSEUM EXECS PREVIEW PICTURE GALLERY: Bishop Museum CEO Tim Johns, third from left, was the host of a sumptuous reception Thursday that gave guests a chance to preview the museum's restored Picture Gallery in the Hawaiian Hall complex before it opened to the public on Saturday. The collection includes watercolors by artists who came here with Capt. Cook, as well as priceless 19th-century portraits and photographs. Museum board Chairman Dr. Charman Akina, left, board member Watters Martin Jr., project manager Mike Hirokawa, archives director DeSoto Brown and exhibit designer Dave Kamble joined Johns in the gallery after the formalities were completed.

 

A DON HO SHOW REUNION: Don Ho show veterans Nathan Aweau, left, Benny Chong, Tokyo Joe, Taran Erickson, James Dela Cruz and Dennis Graue talked story as Watermark Publishing celebrated the recent publication of "Don Ho: My Music, My Life" with a late-afternoon party Wednesday at Don Ho's Island Grill. The oral history of Ho's life and times hit stores last month and was reviewed Dec. 7 at starbulletin.com.

Mahalo to JBERGER@STARBULLETIN.COM

 

 

The Holoku, Traditional formal gown as part of Hawaiian wardrobe

More The Allure of the Holoku

http://starbulletin.com/1999/06/17/features/story2.html

History of The Holoku

 

Grammy Awards

Once again the Grammy winners for Hawaiian Music is Slack Key  Ke'ho Alu

ALBUM: Treasures Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar
ARTISTS: Various
PRODUCERS: Ho, Kahumoku, Konwiser, and Wong
LABEL: Daniel Ho Creations

Congratulations to the Winners and all the Nominees

Performers on this CD include:

George Kahumoku, Jr.
Ledward Kaapana
Dennis Kamakahi
Cyril Pahinui
Martin Pahinui
Owana Salazar
Keoki Kahumoku
Daniel Ho
Richard Ho‘opi‘i
Bobby Ingano
Da ‘Ukulele Boyz
Sterling Seaton

 

 

2008 Hawaiian Grammy Awards Nominees and Winner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MP3 Audio Clips*

"How Great Thou Art"
"Amazing Grace"
"A Time For All Seasons"

One of Melveen Leed's biggest hits came relatively early in her career when she recorded an English version of John K. Almeida's 1915-vintage hymn, "Iesu Me Ke Kanaka Waiwai." No one interpreted the song like Leed, and her version remains one of the most popular and best known. Leed has included a Christian classic or two on several of her albums over the years, but she's placing her faith front and center with this economically packaged album. It's the first on her new record label and makes her the instant front-runner for Best Religious Album at the 2008 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

In a nutshell: Leed sings with her unique blend of power, passion and finesse. The instrumentation sounds like a one-woman project with Leed on electric keyboards and synth tracks, but it suffices, although it would be great to hear Leed do some of these songs with a real church organ, and others with a full Hawaiian choir.

Leed delivers her message of faith and hope in three types of songs: classics by world-class composers or lyricists, Scripture that she's set to an original melody, and wholly original creations. In the latter she expresses her love for Christ, decries what she sees as the banishment of Jesus (and prayer) from schools and describes how her faith sustains her in bad times. With "A Christmas Love to Share," she says that Jesus is the reason for the season.

Leed draws on her Hawaiian heritage with a stirring bilingual rendition of "How Great Thou Art" that adds Albert Poai Nahale-a's Hawaiian translation to the original English lyrics. She does a beautiful job with "Amazing Grace" as well.

This isn't the first tribute album to honor (and capitalize) on the popularity of an iconic artist, but it sets a new standard for any and all that come after.

Gabby "Pops" Pahinui was not a prolific composer, but he was the most influential Hawaiian slack-key guitarist of the 20th century. Therefore, rather than have a bunch of hot young artists redo Pahinui's music in their style, producer "Flip" McDiarmid has collected 10 recordings by artists who were influenced by Pahinui's music and have sought to perpetuate it -- George Kuo, Dwight Kanae, Albert Kaai and Anita Pahinui Nakamura, to name four.

There's also a recording of "Moana Chimes" by Raymond Kane, who was not a student or disciple. His presence fits for reasons explained in the liner notes. McDiarmid also includes a beautiful 1961-vintage recording of Pahinui playing "Nani Wale Lihu'e," "Silver Threads Among the Gold" and "Wai'alae."

Unlike, say, that relatively recent "Everybody Loves Bob Marley" local tribute project, McDiarmid includes all the documentation necessary to make this album a perfect introduction to Pahinui's legacy. It includes an overview of Pahinui's life, short bios of the other artists and the slack-key tunings used on each song.

There are also some nice artistic touches. For instance, the liner notes mention that the album cover shows Manana island (aka Rabbit Island) but leaves it up to you to connect the dots and recall it as the nominal site of Pahinui's Rabbit Island Music Festival.

Don Ho Remembered

Many of Don Ho's friends and associates showed up at Don Ho's Island Grill at Aloha Tower. A reception for invited guests were there to celebrate the release of a book on the entertainer entitled, "Don Ho: My Music, My Life," by Don with Jerry Hopkins. A preview of a TV special, "Don Ho Remembered," produced by Phil Arnone, was shown. It will be carried by KGMB on a later date. Al Waterson emceed and entertain with You. The public was invited to come and enjoy. Don's wife, Haumea Hebenstreit Ho, signed them for the public.

 

Wood Craft Ben Wood Dec. 5, 07
Cha Thompson and her son, Afatia, participated in the Mena fashion show Sunday

 

Cha Thompson was a model in the Mena fashion show at O Lounge Sunday because Soleil Boutique owner Summer Vaimaona asked her "Aunty Cha" to take part. Soleil will be the retailer for Mena in Hawaii. Cha's son, Afatia, sang at the event. Other models included Raiatea Helm, Liana Green, and former Miss Hawaii Pilialoha Gaison and her boyfriend, Kalai Miller. Pilialoha and Kalai finished the show in Mena's white wedding fashions. That got people talking, but the couple denied any wedding plans. However, Kalai said, "We do look good in white together." About 250 people turned out for the fashion show and to view a screening of "Samoan Wedding." The Loheni sisters -- Agnes, Jackie, Gina and Charlene -- brought their fashions here from Mena's Samoan base ...

 

Mena Fashion Show at the O Lounge by John Berger Dec. 11, 07 Cha Thompson, left, chatted with Donna  Walden before the film's screening. Thompson was one of the celebrity models in the show. Walden supported the event by ordering several items.>

 

< Afatia Thompson, left, looked sharp in a MENA shirt as he talked with Aveda Ala Moana master stylist Ralph Malani and celebrity models Raiatea Helm and Pi'ialoha Gaison. Malani created elaborate hair-and-floral arrangements for all the female models and gave Helm a stunning high-fashion look. Thompson closed the party with selections from his Hoku Award-winning album "5:45."

 

On The Scene Feature By John Berger    Dec.20, 07

THOMPSON PLAYS THE CUPOLA: Afatia Thompson, second from left, was joined by his father, Jack "Tihati" Thompson, left; cousin Nalani Parker; mother, Cha Thompson; Matt Catingub; and Jimmy Borges as he celebrated the release of his second solo album, "Seasons of Love," with a late-evening party Sunday at the Honolulu Design Center. Catingub showed unsuspected talent when he did a spot-on impression of Thompson singing "Silent Night."
 

On The Scene By John Berger

Nov 29, 07 TRAVEL INDUSTRY PIONEERS HONORED: Twenty-six people important in the development of Hawaii's visitor industry were honored Nov. 20 as the UH-Manoa School of Travel Industry Management and its International Alumnae Association joined with the Hawai'i Hospitality Hall of Fame in presenting the "Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism" awards dinner at the Hawaii Convention Center. Nina Keali'iwahamana Rapoza, second from left, attended as the representative of Webley Edwards and Mary K. Robinson. Florence "Johnny" Frisbie, left, Haumea Hebenstreit Ho, Dwight Ho, Lydia Ho and Dori Ho represented Don Ho.                                                                                                                                                     

Betty Ho and her son, Stuart Ho, represented 2007 Hawai'i Hospitality Hall of Fame inductee Chinn Ho, whose contributions to the visitor industry included developing the Ilikai Hotel and the Makaha Resort. Stuart accepted the award on behalf of his father. >

 

<Hawai'i Hospitality Hall of Fame trustees John Brogan, left, and Larry Johnson welcomed Jeanne Rolles and Patsy Hemmeter. Rolles was there to represent her parents, Hall of Fame inductees Roy and Estelle Kelley, the founders of Outrigger Hotels. Hemmeter returned to Hawaii to accept for her husband, luxury hotel developer Chris Hemmeter, creator of the Hyatt Regency Waikiki, Hyatt Regency Maui and Hyatt Regency Waikoloa.

Peter Fithian, left, vice chairman of the board of trustees, and board Chairman Robert Herkes presented board member Priscilla Texeira with a whimsical special award, a tube of Perfect Glue on a hardwood trophy stand, for her tireless work in "keeping it all together" during the planning and preparations for the awards dinner. >

 

< Pamela Anderson and her brother, Leith Anderson, displayed the award they accepted on behalf of their father, R. Alex "Andy" Anderson. Although "Andy" is known worldwide as a composer of hapa-haole hits -- "Mele Kalikimaka" and "Lovely Hula Hands," for example -- he also played an important role in modernizing the Hawai'i Tourist Bureau and expanding its role in marketing the islands.

Call him the man of steel

Bobby Ingano stretches out with old-fashioned country and folk
By Gary C.W. Chun gchun@starbulletin.com Oct. 26, 2007
    For Bobby Ingano, it all comes down to trust. The lap steel guitar player was able to play what he felt during recording sessions for his just-released album, "Stranger Here." That's because Ingano genuinely enjoyed playing with his friends Sean Thibadeaux and Milan Bertosa, two-thirds of the acoustic folk-swing band Eleven Gallon Hat.
    For a man well-regarded for his Hawaiian music -- his sweet steel sounds accompanying such acts as the Brothers Cazimero, the Ka'au Crater Boys, Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom and Willie K, and Kekuhi Kanahele -- his new album is straight-up, old-fashioned folk, country, Western swing with, yes, a bit of Hawaiian.
Bobby Ingano  bobbyingano.com

Under the Hula Moon
By: JOCELYN FUJII                                                                                                              
Lovely Hula Hands   About the DVD  http://www.kanoemiller.com/dvd/
There she dances: Diamond Head to the right, Waikīkī’s waves behind, the sunset a halo around her, a 125-year-old kiawe tree rustling gently overhead. As the Hawaiian trio fills the air with its vintage riffs, Kanoelehua Kaumeheiwa Miller dances hula with an unearthly grace. When she takes the stage at Halekūlani’s House Without a Key, the Mai Tais and coconut shrimp—both the best in this time zone, in my opinion—freeze in midair and faces in the audience turn rapturous.
 PHOTO: OLIVIER KONING

Even songs we have heard a million times—“Lovely Hula Hands,” “Sweet Leilani,” “Waikīkī,” “I’ll Remember You”—become fresh and new when interpreted by Kanoe, and we are left hopelessly besotted.

Although she has danced six nights a week for nearly 30 years, as smooth and fluid as a ribbon in a breeze, there is genuine spontaneity. “We don’t discuss the numbers ahead of time,” she explains. “Sometimes I turn around and say, ‘Let’s do this one. Hit it.’ It goes right with the mood. Without talking, there’s a relationship of balance between the musicians and me. They can feel it, too. We know when an audience has a certain energy. There are biorhythms in the world, and each audience, every night, has a certain personality. I can feel that personality and, sometimes, just by feeling it, I know instinctively which songs to dance.”

That is why every person in the audience feels as if she’s dancing just for him or her. The concrete stage is worn to a smooth patina by her bare feet. The flowers and lei are always fresh, the smile genuine and enchanting. “Are you still a learner?” I ask her. “Oh, yes!” she replies. “Just this morning, I came up with a new motion for ‘Lovely Hula Hands,’ the phrase that says, ‘graceful as a bird in motion, gliding like the gulls over the ocean.’ I am a constant learner.”

Inevitably, upon leaving, I lament that the performance is over. I want to capture it and send it to everyone I know, because it would be like transporting the essence of Hawai‘i, with its colors, scents, flowers, nostalgia and seaside ambience.

Well, now I can—not immediately, but soon. Three years of preparation, song selection, costume creation, location scouting, filming and editing of a DVD are nearing completion by Tropical Baby Productions (www.kanoemiller.com), Kanoe and John Miller’s new mom-and-pop endeavor. Having seen the rough cut, I can say this: It’s worth the wait. Twelve of Kanoe’s most requested songs (and a few of her personal favorites), written between 1916 and 1965, were selected for the film, with a spate of other bonuses. The Hiram Olsen Trio, with whom Kanoe danced for 24 years, performs the music. Full and interactively utilizing the capabilities of the medium, the menu allows you to click on options to hear her explain what was going through her mind as she danced, and why she selected the songs, costumes and locations that she did. You can listen in other languages, select interviews with other people, and lose yourself in the environment and culture of Hawai‘i.

Titled Romantic Waikīkī Hula, the film “takes you on a journey, beginning in Waikīkī, visiting beautiful sites around the island through song and dance,” she explains. “And it gives you insight into the feelings and emotions that make hula such a moving experience.”

It will also serve as an ambassador for Hawai‘i, an experience of aloha long after the stage is dark and the Aloha Festivals have come and gone.  kanoemiller@aol.com  email Kanoe   http://kanoemiller.com/index.php  

30th Anniversary of the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards