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Podagee57
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
 Posted - 10/22/2006 : 9:32:12 PM
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I've been hangin'out here for a while and I thought I should take the time to introduce myself to all you wonderful folks.
My parents divorced when I was 2. I had very little contact with my mother through the years. 7 years ago my youngest son (17 at the time) said he'd like to see his grandmother. It'd been years since the last time. In trying to find her through friends and relatives I learned that she had cancer. I'd tried to establish a relationship with her over the years but always felt that she was keeping me at a distance. Later on I learned that she had some personal issues that she was embarassed to expose to us. When I finally got in contact with her it seemed that she was ready to allow me into her life. Maybe the cancer had something to do with that. In getting to know my mom, we found that we both shared some of the same passions...including Hawaii, art, and music.
Amazingly I found that I was more like my mother, whom I never really knew, than I was my dad. It was through her that I developed a real appreciation for Hawaiian culture and music. She was a huge Iz Fan. In the following 2 years we spent a total of 6 weeks on the Islands together on several different trips. One of those trips were just the 2 of us together. She bought me a beautiful O'Kona 8 string Koa uke on the Big Island that I will cherish always. I also have the 1947 Martin - the guitar I learned to play on - that she bought my dad before I was born.
Mom passed away 4 1/2 years ago. After becoming such good friends I can't help but feel cheated out of so many years of what might have been. However I am so thankful for the last few years we spent together.
2 1/2 years ago, we moved to Bend, Oregon. I heard about this guy who played Hawaiian music every friday at a local restaruant. My wife and I decided to check it out. The artist was Bill Keale, nephew of Moe, and cousin of Iz. The regulars at "Aloha Fridays", as it was called, accepted us as part of their 'Ohana, and became our new friends in a new home. This is where I first heard "Ku'u Home O Kahaluu". I feel that this song must have been written about me and my mothers journey to acceptance and reunion. It always brings a tear.
I was recruited to become a member of the Bill Keale Luau committee. The Luau is an annual charity event to raise money for a local pre-school for children with disabilities. We draw around 1,000 people from all over the Northwest for this Luau. It may be one of the best you'll find anywhere. It takes a whole year of planning. Every year we bring top notch entertainers here to share with the people of the Northwest. This past year history was made when the Makaha Sons, Aaron Mahi, George Kuo, Martin Pahinui, Ken Emmerson, and Bill Keale played together on the same stage. In all the years they have been performing, George told the audience that this was the first time ever that they had performed together with the Makaha Sons. What a treat!
All of this thanks to my mother. And I can thank her too for bringing me here. I have played guitar since I was 12, only for my own enjoyment, and not all that well I might mention. It is just something I do for my soul. I've been enjoying my uke too. Finding this forum has inspired me to learn the most beautiful form of acoustic guitar in the world...Slack Key of course. The Aloha here also helps keep my mom in my thoughts and close to my heart. I just wish I could share all this with her.
Mahalo nui loa for this forum and thanks to all of you who perpetuate this form of music and the special fellowship that goes along with it. And come to our Luau August 11th 2007!
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What? You mean high "E" is the TOP string. No way dude! That changes everything! |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2006 : 05:58:34 AM
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Thanks for sharing your story, Podagee. Many of us are mainlanders who have Hawai'i ties through our parents and cling to those ties through the music. E komo mai. I live in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and drive down the Columbia gorge periodically. Perhaps we can jam sometime.
Jesse Tinsley |
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RJS
Ha`aha`a
1635 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2006 : 09:20:44 AM
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| Thanks for sharing a very touching story. |
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ArtSap
Lokahi
USA
267 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2006 : 10:17:00 AM
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| Bruddah Kurt, welcome to the Taropatch ohana... |
Art
SF Bay Area, CA / Mililani, HI
"The real music comes from within you - not from the instrument" |
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Podagee57
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2006 : 7:12:39 PM
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| Thanks all. Jesse, I would love to have you stop by and share your wonderful talent with us. I've heard your recordings here and am very impressed. I know that I can surely learn alot from you. We are a ways from I-84 but if you come, our home is your home. Maybe we can get Maggie to come over the hill from Eugene and join us. I'm looking forward to meeting her at the Keola concert in a couple weeks. |
What? You mean high "E" is the TOP string. No way dude! That changes everything! |
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MahinaM
Lokahi
USA
389 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2006 : 8:10:03 PM
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Aloha Kurt!
What a wonderful story! Thanks for sharing it with us. I look forward to seeing you on this side of the Cascades in a few weeks, too! Say, if that Jesse Tinsley is even in the same state, I think the whole Eugene Mafia will come to jam with him (and you!). I also hope to finally make Bill's luau next year (I've been trying for the past three years, but always had some obstacle). I think 2007 will be the year to finally make it there. Hey, if anyone else is in our neck of the woods in August, it's an event not to be missed. It's also for a great cause. A hui hou! - Maggie |
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GUke
Lokahi
188 Posts |
Posted - 10/23/2006 : 9:45:21 PM
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e Kurt,
Welcome. Hope one day you'll feel confident enough to play with/for others if you haven't done so yet. I found kanikapilas as a good way to break in playing in front of others and more important just playing with others. It's also a great way to hear meles. This year after attending the winter Aloha Music Camp I got immersed into ukulele and singing. It's fun, but also allows you to share Hawaiian music.
Again welcome and thanks for sharing.
Aloha,
Genaro |
Genaro
Should I? Itʻs only $, and where Iʻm going itʻll burn or melt. |
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