 This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis (and back by popular demand), our guest is Kaimana Kono - a father-son team consisting of Greg (dad) and son Grant (Kaimana) Kono.
Grant began playing the ‘ukulele at age 10, and by age 12 he’d taught himself to play the guitar and began singing Hawaiian music. Several years ago, he saw an upright bass lying around the music room at his school, Hawaiian Mission Academy, so he asked the principal if he could borrow it. A couple months later he was playing the upright bass.
With Greg playing ‘ukulele and Grant playing bass, they entered the 2010 Ka Himeni Ana competition, and placed third overall. While both are known for their beautiful harmonies, Kaimana has received special acclaim for his leo ki’eki’e (falsetto). Their vocals and musical skill onstage, as well as their relaxed demeanor and sense of fun, made them crowd favorites when they first appeared on Pakele Live! earlier this year.
Note: Sponsored by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, Ka Himeni Ana is an annual competition performed in the “nahenahe” style, the distinctive Hawaiian music form characterized by sweet vocal harmonies (sung without the aid of microphones) supported by unamplified acoustic instruments. Entrants consist of amateur Hawaiian music groups with two to five members who vie for six cash prizes of varying amounts. The contestants are judged on the quality of their vocal harmony, use of Hawaiian language, and overall musicianship. A number of prior year contestants and winners have gone on to make names for themselves in the music industry, signing recording contracts, releasing albums, and performing for appreciative audiences not only throughout Hawai’i, but on the mainland and in Japan. They’ve also won numerous Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards, and several groups, including Ho’okena, have received Grammy nominations. (This year's competition takes place on August 27 at the Hawai'i Theatre. Tickets are still available.)
Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, August 18 from 6:30-8:30pm HST at the Willows Restaurant (901 Hausten St., Honolulu). Those who are unable to attend can watch the live stream at www.pakelelive.com. (The show will also be edited for television and shown at a later date on OC16 TV and www.oc16.tv)
Admission is free, no reservations are required and all ages are welcome! Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. (Doors open at 5:30.) Guests may choose from the full nightly buffet ($34.95) or an a la carte menu created especially for Pakele Live! (and available only during the show), with prices ranging from $5 to $16. Drink specials are also available. Validated valet parking is only $3.
Note: If you watch online, don’t forget to email the show at pakele @ lava.net and let us know you’re watching! Mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!
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Kaimana Kono - Pakele Live 8-18-11
Posted - 08/17/2011 : 10:07:49 PM
