This week’s guests on Pakele Live! are Hema Pa’a (William “Baba” Alimoot and Chris Kamaka). With more than 50 years' worth of musical experience between them, Baba and Chris bring a wealth of talent, not only in playing their instruments, but in the beautiful harmonies created by the blending of their voices.
Baba, an arranger, vocalist, and accomplished musician who credits his grandfather, John Hoapili, Sr. as having influenced him, has played with the Nanakuli sons (where he was an apprentice), as well as Danny Kaleikini, Sam Kapu, Dennis Pavao, and Ku’uipo Kumukahi (the latter as a member of Pa’ani and Po’okela). He played for four years with Pat Carvalho and Teddy Randazzo at Walt Disney World in Florida, and is also a sought-after performer for hula halau performances on the mainland and in Japan. He received several Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for his work as a producer on two volumes of the “Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Winners.”
Chris, a member of the world famous Kamaka ‘Ukulele ohana (but who interestingly enough plays bass!), played in the “Side Order Band” with Bryan Tolentino, Del Beazley, and Asa Young while attending the University of Hawai’i. He was heavily influenced by the music of his dad, Sam Kamaka, Jr., who was a member of the Kamehameha Alumni Glee Club. A founding member of the group Ho’okena (led by Manu Boyd), Chris has played with the Ho’opi’i Brothers (Sol and Richard), as well as Del Beazley, Ku’uipo Kumukahi, and ‘Iokepa DeSantos in the band Kealohi, whose first album won a Na Hoku award in 1993 for “Most Promising Artist.”
Baba and Chris met while performing with Ku’uipo Kumukahi, and joined forces to become the band Hema Pa’a (“strong left” – both are left handed!). They have one CD out: “Two Voices, One Heart.”
Join us from 6-8 p.m. in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). Admission is always free, and all ages are welcome! If you can’t be there in person, watch online at http://www.pakelelive.com/. Those in Japan can watch on http://www.j-wave.co.jp/
(Note: we’ll have a guest host this week – Tony has another commitment. Since Tony’s also taken over as the show director, Brad will pull double duty and fill in as the director and boss man type dude - in addition to his regular stage manager/equipment set up-teardown/sound assistant/”other duties as assigned” work! If you like what you see, email the show - I know Brad would appreciate hearing it!) 
Aloha! Hope to see you Thursday!
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Posted - 03/03/2009 : 2:36:47 PM
