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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
 Posted - 06/19/2007 : 9:45:05 PM
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(Fran Guidry is a better writer and musical tourist than I, but I was inspired by his recent travelogues and wanted to share some of the experiences I had recently.)
I just got back from 15 days in Hawai'i and had some interesting experiences. Although I couldn't "hele fo da mele" like some of you empty nesters and young retired folks, I found time to see some music. I spent four days on O'ahu escorting my mother to events related to her 50th high school reunion at Kamehameha Schools. Since I'd never been to the school, just visiting (as my mother's chauffeur) was fascinating. In the light of the recent court challenges, the place seems even more special, even if it's hard to get into and grads can be viewed as elitist in Hawaiian society.
The class of 1957 are a gregarious and very able-bodied bunch! I have a bunch of new aunties and uncles!
It was moving to hear the KS grads singing Hawaiian hymns like "Iesu No Ke Kahuhipa" with the big koa pipe organ in the school's chapel during the welcome service. Christian services were always a big part of the Kamehameha experience.
The next reunion event was a tour of the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center, which is owned by the Bishop Estate. Providing entertainment was two thirds of Pilioha, Glenn and Kamuela! Their bass player was on tour, so filling in on bass was Kekoa Kaluhiwa from Holunape and adding extra vocals was Chad Takatsugi from Ale'a! Kekoa's group was on tour, but he works for Sen. Akaka and couldn't get time off. This talented group worked their way through dozens of Hawaiian standards and medleys, plus the obligatory KS fight songs and hymns. Sweet falsetto voices and smooth jazzy guitars. Many aunties got up to hula for "Pua Ahihi".
The next day I attended the annual "kanikapila" at Kamehameha, a luncheon where the crowd brought out ukes and sang together. It was low-key and fun, but the highlight was an auntie and uncle hopping up to hula to "Holoholo Ka'a." The almost-70 pair turned the song about joyriding in a car into a mild "freak dance" and everyone was laughing until tears came out.
Since that night was free, I dropped my mom off and headed for the Aku Bone Lounge in the Ala Moana area downtown. This tiny bar is a special place. It gets a lot of local people, which is rare in Waikiki. Pilioha has a regular gig there on Wednesdays and the food is good. They throw jazz standards in their sets and play plenty requests. The real treat is watching Kamuela Kimokeo playing guitar. He plays like he's on fire! The guy can play slack key (standard tuning), jazz and blues so fast and effortlessly.
The other cool part is that other musicians wander in for the music and get called to the stage. Composer Uncle Danny Lopes went up and sang his song "A Part of Me, A Part of You".
Ledward was at the front table having pupus with friends and family. Later Mike Ka'awa and Ocean Kaowili came in and got drafted into a supergroup of Led/Mike/Ocean/Kamuela ripping off great versions of the classics. Mike played a 12-string in standard tuning and Ocean played bass while Led started out in taropatch and later switched to play standard when they ended with "Twelfth Street Rag/Sweet Georgia Brown," which I'd never seen live. Amazing. Kamuela was matching Led lick for lick and adding more each time he took a turn. I would put Kamuela up there with just about any other acoustic guitar player, even Led. After the guys sat down, Pilioha got up and played a few more songs to end the night. Since Led was about five feet away, Kamuela played a dead-on version of Led's "Mauna Loa Slack Key", first copying Led's version (doing the bass slides with his hand/wrist/forearm) then adding his own funny little asides (picking his nose, zipping his zipper) and adding matching audio accents to each gesture. You get the impression he can play anything.
Although I wanted to sneak away Thursday afternoon to see Auntie Genoa in Waikiki, I had to take my mother to the "talent show" part of the reunion. The pre-show entertainment there was Kimo Alama Keaulana and Lei Hulu! Their album "Hula Lives" is one of my all-time favorites and I hadn't thought I'd get to see them live. They sang a lot of old-kine falsetto songs, including "Ma Ane'i Mai 'Oe (Ho'ohaehae)", which is one of my favorites. Steel player Kilakila Ozawa brought back memories with his big round sound and old-style vibrato.
The talent show was fun, too. Many acts were introduced in the Hawaiian language. The class of 1957 did a medley of "Hole Waimea" (first chant, then the song) and "Waika". I hope I can post a video of it somehow. Uncle Sam Yong performed the solo hula of a spear maker which included a thrusting of a fierce attack accompanied by a deafening stomp that got the crowd going before the women, dressed all in white mu'umu'u, danced a reverent hula to "Waika". Just as moving was the class of 1977 which sang to a karaoke track of "Y-M-C-A", substituting words of anger over the recent lawsuits to end racial preferences for Hawaiians. The chorus went "I-M-U-A! Ku Kilakila! I-M-U-A! Kamehameha!.....Hawaiians only!"
The show continued with original songs, contemporary dances, comic hulas and even hula kahiko. Brickwood Galuteria, class of '73, was the MC. Kenneth Makuakane was one of the judges.
After that it was off to meet my family on Kaua'i for several days of pure tourism. My wife and I slipped away to hear Leilani Rivera Bond at the Grand Hyatt. She has a beautiful chanting and singing voice and does a solo set on weekend nights. She sits with her back to the ocean and it's a great view, too. But we could barely afford to sit at the Hyatt with the price of drinks and pupus, so after buying a CD and getting it autographed, we slipped away and went to find some local grinds. Instead of $25 for a plate of pupus at the Hyatt, we found a combo plate lunch ($8) at Bobbie's in Hanapepe and it was enough to feed three people. The #8 combo comes with steaming hot tempura shrimp, fried mahimahi and beef teriyaki on a mountain of rice with mac salad on the side. Hungry yet?
After seeing several groups singing Hawaiian songs, I noticed that jazz style guitar is most common and slack key tunings very rare. But slack key motifs are played throughout most songs. Ukes aren't common, either. Most groupings are rhythm guitar/lead guitar and bass.
From left: Kamuela Kimokeo, Mike Ka'awa, Led Kaapana and Ocean Kaowili at the Aku Bone Lounge.
At the Aku Bone, Led stepping in with Glenn, left, Kamuela and Ryan Tang, right, who was standing in for regular bassist Kalehua.
Kimo Alama Keaulana, left, sings up a storm at a Kamehameha event.
Leilani Rivera Bond performs her set at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.
Greg Sardinha, center, with the trio he plays with at the Honolulu Airport.
Jesse Tinsley
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2007 : 12:55:37 AM
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Jesse - sounds like you had a wonderful time. Your narrative makes me feel like I was there, too. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Wow....AkuBone sounds like the place to be. In that one place, you saw folks that we had to travel all over to see.
At the airport, we experienced the great music, but I had NO IDEA who was playing...I've got some swell pictures of them, as well. They did a wonderful version of Hi`ilawe and had hula dancers who did a lovely interpretation. I remarked to Paul at the time about the steel player, but did not know who they were.
Bummer to be back home, yeah? Plus all that laundry. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Momi
Lokahi
402 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2007 : 06:47:35 AM
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| Thank you for bringing us along on the trip without making us contribute to the airfare! |
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dr. cookie
Lokahi
USA
299 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2007 : 09:16:58 AM
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Mahalo for the retrospective, Jesse!
Of course, I particularly enjoyed that evening when you felt compelled to send me your oh so thoughtful message about being at Aku Bone at that very moment. My jealousy is finally ebbing now that you're home again . . . and my mission during my upcoming visit to Honolulu will be to find some way to pay you back in kind!
Don/Doc/Cookie
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 06/20/2007 : 2:11:11 PM
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Now you know how I feel when I read others' musical travelogues. I was very blessed to have any many musical encounters at all while on O'ahu and doing family stuff, too. My favorite was to go see my Uncle Dickie, who lives in Kahalu'u and who speaks Hawaiian. I wanted to play some slack key for him because he's pretty old now and the only one in my family who also plays slack key.
I was gratified when he turned to my mom and said "Eh! Good dis haole boy."
Jesse
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Reid
Ha`aha`a
Andorra
1526 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2007 : 02:36:15 AM
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Jesse, the pix and accounts were swell. And, you provided a real comic kicker. If you are haole, then what am I? :-)
...Reid |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2165 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2007 : 03:18:51 AM
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Too good, Jesse! I was right there with you. BTW, I know Kekoa Kaluhiwa from his days at U-Dub. He's a great talent and great guy.
Led is a show by himself, but what a group! Glad you had the opportunity. When you coming dis side of da mountains? |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2007 : 05:38:33 AM
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I can't wait to come jam with you guys, Thumbstruck! But I'm still waiting for everything I picked up by watching and listening to sink into my brain.
Kekoa is an outstanding person. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't take Sen. Akaka's place someday. He comes to Idaho every year for deer hunting, so I may see him around here.
I uploaded my first youtube video last night. It's my mom's class, 1957, performing at the reunion talent show at Kamehameha Schools. My mom is not visible because she's short and among the singers in the back. Auntie Puanani Akaka introduces the group in Hawaiian, then English. The solo male dancer is Uncle Sammy Yong (not sure of the spelling).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Hiol5kiCA
Jesse Tinsley |
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Podagee57
Lokahi
USA
280 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2007 : 07:34:13 AM
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| Iwannago Iwannago! Jesse that is beautiful video. What a treasure to have for your family. That had to have stirred some emotions...I know it did in me. |
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 - 06/21/2007 : 09:20:13 AM
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I was alternately thrilled and teary-eyed watching the kupuna performing and watching in the audience. Such beauty. I think everyone was moved that night.
Reid, I have family pictures from my childhood that show me with my white relatives in Iowa and my brother and I look like little brown "Save the Children"-monthly-update kids among all my caucasian cousins. Conversely, I have pictures of the cousins in Hawaii and they are all dark-skinned and barefoot, except for me, lightskinned and wearing little black sunday school shoes with my little cabana suit. I understand why hapa kids have identity issues.
Racial appearance plays an interesting role in our social lives. In Hawaii, strangers of Hawaiian descent come up to my mom and kiss her on the cheek and say "hello auntie". My many cousins, a mix of Hawaiian, Caucasian, Japanese, Filipino and Chinese ancestry, have no hangups about racial makeup, but don't really identify themselves as anything other than local. At the Kamehameha reunion, there were plenty of racial diversity, though everyone reiterated their support for Hawaiian-only admission policies at the school.
Jesse |
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thumbstruck
Ahonui
USA
2165 Posts |
Posted - 06/21/2007 : 10:55:38 PM
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I can understand the Kamehameha policy, as the Hawaiian people are a really big estended family and the legacy is an "ohana" thing.
Let us know when you get over here, Jesse. When you see Kekoa, tell him hi for me. |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2007 : 12:21:16 AM
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Jesse - that video is indeed precious. What a lively bunch. I wonder if I could move and sing like that when I get to my 50th year after graduation -- year 2020. Nah, can't even do that now.
Treasure the memories. Good thing technology lets us preserve those memories. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2007 : 06:48:40 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by hapakid
me with my white relatives in Iowa
Jesse: have you and I ever touched on this part of your life? I don't think so - you know I grew up in Iowa, yeah? We gotta talk.
BTW) Your name came up often in the past couple of days (as did a number of TP contributors), as Susie Kagami was here in Seattle for a quick visit. I took her around to meet my contacts at about a half-dozen venues in the Seattle area, as part of our planning to do more Hawaiian concerts around here. Someday, those plans could well include locations closer to your Idaho exile... |
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hapakid
Luna Ho`omalu
USA
1533 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2007 : 08:05:08 AM
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Hi Gregg, My dad's roots are in Mahaska and Keokuk counties in south central Iowa, land of beans and corn. Most of my old family photos from there look like "American Gothic". I lived and worked in Oskaloosa, What Cheer, New Sharon and Barnes City. During the summers we used to go to Adventureland in Des Moines for fun and eat at the closest Maid Rite. I lived in Iowa for several years after high school and worked as an ag mechanic and a radio announcer (not talented like you, though). I used to buck hay with the farm kids and eat big Sunday dinners of pork chops and potatoes after church. It was a good life. Recently, a cousin sent a digital photo of the last barn on the last farm in our family being torn down because it was being combined into a huge corporate farm.
Any time you want to try a Spokane-area Hawaiian event, let me know how I can help! We've had George K, Keola Beamer and the Next Generation Tour with Rev. Dennis in Spokane. But nothing recently.
Jesse Tinsley
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Edited by - hapakid on 06/22/2007 08:06:47 AM |
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Puna
Lokahi
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2007 : 10:06:23 AM
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Aloha e, Jesse a me Gregg!
Off topic, but have either of you ever listened to the group 'Uncle Bonsai'? They have a number of really funny songs about living in 'Central America' - they base most of the songs in Indiana, but part of Jesse's post above reminds me of their song "Family Restaurant".
na Puna (hanau one: Illinois) |
Puna |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 06/22/2007 : 2:52:39 PM
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Aloha, Puna. I know Andrew Ratshin and Uncle Bonsai very well - recorded them in concert and had them on radio shows many, many times in the late '80s. If you have their CD "The Inessential Uncle Bonsai," check the liner notes --- several of the tracks came from my recordings. Ashley was from Iowa, too.
Jesse - I grew up in Des Moines (1959-1968) and Cedar Rapids (1968-1984), before getting my okole outta there and to Seattle. I was 16 when Adventureland opened, but only got there a few times (mostly as an adult, taking my daughter there.) Maid-Rite...I ALWAYS have a couple whenever I go back...nothing like 'em!
We did discuss Spokane ideas along with other non-Seattle, non-Portland thoughts. Everything is in early planning phases at present, but falling nicely into place, and Susie knows there are a lot of Hawaiian music supporters outside the biggest cities - so we'll do what we can to get everything (from workshops to house concerts to whatever) around and about. |
Edited by - Retro on 06/23/2007 5:46:15 PM |
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