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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
 Posted - 07/15/2007 : 10:24:18 PM
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Many folks have asked for reports about the two Hawaiian music camps in June, so I'll give it a try here.
We flew to Maui several days before the start of George's camp, and that was a good thing. Not only did that give us a chance to get acclimated, but we also had the time to deal with a couple of medical issues which included a visit to the ER at Maui Memorial and many consequent visits to Makai Massage next door to our hotel. (Injured rotator cuff on hubby, and screaming shoulder muscles on me from schlepping two 50 lb. suitcases, one 20 lb shoulder bag and 3 instruments.)
GEORGE'S CAMP: was held at the Mauian right on the shore of Napili Bay. This hotel is one of the early ones there. No TV, no telephone nor air-conditioning in the rooms. Just like old Hawai'i. We did have wonderful cross-ventilation when we opened the louvers and the screen door, and several times in the middle of the night I had to get up to close the door as it was too cold!
Instructors and guest artists included: George Kahumoku Jr., Keoki Kahumoku, Dennis Kamakahi, David Kamakahi, Led Ka'apana, Bob Brozman, Cyril Pahinui, Ozzie Kotani, Richard Ho'opi'i, Herb Ohta Jr. Auntie Edna Bekeart, Maily Yepis and Evalani Kapalakiko.
Classes started early in the morning and continued throughout the day, with many, many choices. After dinner, the highlight of the whole day for many of us was the nightly kanikapila. We would sit in circles like the layers of an onion around a circular sound system devised by our hero: the soundman Lawrence, and Cynthia, his able and beautiful assistant.
Our instructors would be there to lead songs, and if you were up to it, you could choose to play one and someone would bring a microphone over to you and plug in your instrument, and off you went with everyone joining in. Meanwhile of course, there were lots of shenanigans going on as well, people having way too much fun, hula dancers jumping up at opportune moments, giggling and singing in the background, and general merriment.
On Wednesday night we got a special treat: 2 shows put on by our Grammy Award winning musicians in the entertainment tent at Napili Kai Resort next door, with a catered dinner in between. Just fabulous!
On Thursday night our hotel put on a Happy Hour, complete with free Maitais, everyone brought snacks and we got to enjoy another show before dinner.
Meanwhile, all throughout the week, we were practicing two particular songs in all the different workshops, with the focus on performing them at the Maui Slack Key Festival on Sunday, where George would get us all on stage to perform these songs. I have to tell you, it is quite a thrill to be able to get up and play with your group of friends, eventhough you may only know a few chords on that uke! The view from the stage toward the West Maui Mountains is spectacular, and something I won't ever forget.
After our performance, most of us would flop down in the grass with our friends and enjoy the rest of the Festival, along with food and drink.
The Monday after is normally the day the equipment is broken down and we get a chance to casually chat about our ideas for improving the camp. This year, we got the added thrill of watching the big humongous tent trying to pull a Mary Poppins flight, after which most of us became involved in trying to tame and bring down the beast.
That afternoon we hopped on the Ferry to Moloka'i to go to Aloha Music Camp.
We arrived there after sunset, and our shuttle driver was kind enough to stop at a gas station (everything else was closed) so we could pick up some hot bento boxes. Umm, I think that's where I picked up food poisoning which turned into a nasty intestinal bug throughout the week. By then my husband was working on a bad case of bronchitis with an asthmatic component. Well, our family motto is "Another trip, another Clinic!" It NEVER fails....
KEOLA'S CAMP: was held at the Kaupoa Beach Village, a site run by the Moloka'i Ranch. Great facilities, right on the beach, again old style Hawai'i. Natural ventilation in the tentalows, solar showers, composting toilets and a cooler full of ice and beverages. Lots of food and great desserts.
Plenty of choices in classes during the day, several shows by instructors at night, one Open Mic, and a Ho'ike at the end of the week.
Instructors included the Beamer Ohana: Keola, Moanalani, Kaliko, and Auntie Nona, Liko Puha, John and Hope Keawe, Kevin Brown, Byron Yasui, Dennis Lake, Anakala Pilipo, Mark Nelson, Chris Yeaton, and several visitors from the local area.
There was something magical about sitting in a class with the sound of the waves in the background, the birds in the grass and the wind in the coconut palms. If you were attending classes in either of the tents further up the hill, you could look out over the ocean and the waves breaking up on the rocks. And you could watch lunch being delivered!
There were several very good kanikapilas at night, most of which I missed because of my delicate condition, but I made it to one which lasted till after midnight. I missed the really good one where Liko danced the hula to Ulupalakua around 3:00 AM!
My only regret about both camps is that there were so many people, I did not get to meet and talk to everyone. There were some folks I would have loved to get to know better, but did not get the opportunity. Maybe name tags for the first day or two???
The only other issue which really bothered me about both camps was the GARBAGE! We must have thrown out thousands of plastic cups at Kaupoa. Get a cup, take two sips of water, and out it goes into the garbage can! Where does it all go? Not into outer space...
On Maui, we were given bottled water and soda cans, which we were able to recycle. But there we used tons of paper plates and plastic utensils, unless we brought regular plates from our rooms, which we then washed ourselves.
I believe we can and should make a difference as guests of the islands, and be more aware of the trash we leave behind. I was able to get a hold of some tall insulated coffee cups which we used for both coffee and cold drinks all through the week at Kaupoa. I would like to see camp cups or something like that to deal with this. Or bring your own.
I'm hoping that next year, we'll do better with this problem.
Aloha, Julie
PS, It's been a couple of weeks, I think we're almost back to normal now.
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Edited by - Julie H on 07/18/2007 6:39:15 PM |
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Pua Kai
Ha`aha`a
USA
1007 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2007 : 05:06:33 AM
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Mahalo for the report Julie!
Very slowly Julie has been getting folks at the Mauian to bring plates and silver to meals. We all appreciate the effort and slowly, perhaps too slowly, we'll "get" it.
Meanwhile, I've sent my application to Nadine Kahumoku for Keoki's workshop the first week in December and am looking forward to meeting new friends and embracing the many I have made through camps, workshops and festivals.
And I think that slowly, again very slowly, my music is improving. The journey is euphoric!
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 07/16/2007 : 6:54:11 PM
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N,
I believe the buzz word is "nagging". Well, at least I do it politely. 
Aloha no, Julie |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 12:55:02 AM
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Julie - thanks for the recap. I do sympathize with your physical woes. Woes such as that make for an "interesting" vacation to say the least. Your points about trash made me open my eyes. These are things that never crossed my mind. The list of instructors at both camps is mind boggling. Oh my goodness...you had the best of the best at both camps. It would sort of be like nirvana.
Mahalo to all for shariing your experiences at both camps and for sharing your pictures. Maybe next year instead of Hawai`i during Ohio bad weather, we wait and go one camp. Only thing lots of money for me to sit around while Paul plays guitar all week. When we went Augusta Heritage guitar workshop where Paul was taught my Patrick Landeza, I just sorta read lots of books all week while Paul was having his lessons. Patrick did not mind if I hung out in his classroom to wala`au but the camp administrator lady would not permit it - she kicked me out. Patrick was great in that he did not only teach the mechanics of slack key guitar playing but he taught aloha. Augusta did not offer any hula or culture lessons.
Any stories about what non-instrument playing spouses (speeces) did while yunz were pickin' and grinnin'? |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Puna
Lokahi
USA
227 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 06:03:21 AM
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At the Beamer camp, there is usually something for the 'fret-challenged' to do while others are pickin' and grinnin'. Hula classes, 'olelo, oli, crafts, talk story come to mind...plus there's always the beach, hikes, or sit on the beach-house patio and wala'au. And, if you really don't want to take any classes, there is a reduced 'spouse' rate.
Haven't been to the Kahumoku camp, but I suspect there is equal opportunity. So please, don't send Paul while you stay behind...you both need to go. |
Puna |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 07:53:45 AM
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quote:
Maybe next year instead of Hawai`i during Ohio bad weather, we wait and go one camp.
Well, why not escape the bad winter weather and go to camp?
Keoki Kahumoku offers a stellar lineup of instructors on the Island of Hawaii from November 30 through Dec 8, 2007.
The Winter Aloha Music Camp runs February 3-9, 2008 at Kaupoa Beach Village on Moloka`i.
Cheers,
Mark |
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Mark
Ha`aha`a
USA
1628 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 08:24:03 AM
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RE: The trash issue: At Kaupoa the staff uses regular plates, cloth napkins and metal flatwear for every meal-- all of which is washed. No throw aways.
But the cup issue is something else; and Julie is absolutely right. We need to address this. And when I say "we" I mean "we, ourselves."
Sadly, due to it's small population and relative isolation, Moloka`i has no recycling at all. We as responsible guests can help by not adding to the problem.
What can we do about it? Bringing your own cup to camp is a great idea. Hanging on to that plastic cup for more than a single drink is another; Annie and I reuse ours over and over. Use paper cups instead of plastic -- at least the paper eventually breaks down and wood is a renewable resource. (I'll plant some more trees on my land for y'all.)
Although we can't haul over tons of stuff, we do offer dandy Aloha Camp mugs on our online store. The Lodge and Beach Village has mugs for sale in their shop, and you can buy those insulated plastic ones everywhere in Hawaii-- including the store in Muanaloa.
At the risk of sounding sanctimonious here -- let's get down to the basics: the Aloha Camp at Kaupoa Beach Village is the far and away the greenest place you can vacation in Hawaii. Save for a generator that runs a few hours a day to power the kitchen, the whole place is on 12-volt solar power. All the hot water is solar; all the toilets are low-water semi-composting; the landscaping is drought resistant and low water; and the entire place could be dismantled, packed up and removed without a trace within one week!
Even factoring in the food prep up at the Lodge and the daily housekeeping (do you really need clean towels every day?), it's a pretty good track record. Ya don't need a car, either.
Mark
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 10:29:27 AM
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Hah - da horsies self-composting, too, yeah?
What I do not like is modern day packaging. To get an ink pen out of a hermetically sealed conforming plastic package takes a chain saw, I think. Why you even need the stupid packaging for an ink pen? I buy a bottle of ibuprofen and the bottle is 2 inches tall but the box it comes in is 4x4...why dat? The pills have that chunk of cotton fluff so the pills don't jiggle around. No need da box. Grocerh chains don't hardly let you pick out your own fruit...they package it in those plastic things already and you have to hunt through to find one that doesn't have at least one bad piece of fruit. And I never can open a new CD. Sheesh. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 07/17/2007 : 6:45:22 PM
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Mark,
You're absolutely right about Kaupoa being ecologically sound. I really did appreciate the feeling of being close to the earth, while still camping with a touch of elegance, so to speak. I like reveling in all that aloha without guilt.
Maui County (Lanai, Moloka'i and Maui) is really behind when it comes to recycling. Just go to the Maui Mall, and watch all the people eating at L&L and the other fast food joints, throwing away all their foam (non-recyclable, non-degradable) clamshell containers, all their aluminum cans, all their plastic cups. Aue! Multiply that by several thousands of folks everyday, and you get a sense of what we're doing to the islands.
Do you remember February 2006, when someone came to AMC with photos of Kaho'olawe and the beaches there totally covered in layers of trash? It really made an impression on me. So at the risk of becoming a pain the neck or other areas of the body, I will say again: we visitors need to be proactive and reduce our impact on paradise.
So I plan on always bringing something to drink out of, and when I shop, I decline all the plastic bags the store clerks push on me.
(A good friend of mine runs the Recycling Centers here in the San Lorenzo Valley, and I've learned a lot over the last few years and that's why I'm so rabid about this issue. )
Julie |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2007 : 08:14:24 AM
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quote:
Well, why not escape the bad winter weather and go to camp?
Keoki Kahumoku offers a stellar lineup of instructors on the Island of Hawaii from November 30 through Dec 8, 2007.
The Winter Aloha Music Camp runs February 3-9, 2008 at Kaupoa Beach Village on Moloka`i.
Have to have time to save up more kala. No use plastic fo' money, eeder. As bad or worse than using plastic dishes and cups. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Julie H
Ha`aha`a
USA
1206 Posts |
Posted - 07/18/2007 : 6:03:01 PM
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Wanda,
Really, we no longer go to Hawai'i unless there is a music workshop happening. It gives us PURPOSE! you know. And Hawai'i is awfully sad unless we get to see good friends and make wonderful music together.
Try it sometime, you'll really enjoy it. And believe me, there is plenty to do for companions and speesies who do not play instruments themselves.
Aloha, Julie |
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marzullo
`Olu`olu
USA
923 Posts |
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Sarah
`Olu`olu
571 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2007 : 04:21:08 AM
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Really nice photos, Keith, mahalo for sharing them! Brought a smile to my face!
aloha,
Sarah |
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Report from back-to-back music camps...
