| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Haole
Aloha
Japan
7 Posts |
 Posted - 06/14/2009 : 5:28:17 PM
|
Aloha kakou,
once upon a time in the past millenium a boy from the German forests - nah, this would sound like a fairy tale, and my story is true.
It sure is one of those love-on-first-sight stories, and I will try to keep it short.
It was back in 1999 when my former girlfriend (Promoted: She is my wife now) sent me two CDs: "Kawaipunahele" and "Facing Future".
Until then my idea of hula was: Some folklore, mainly for yankee tourists. Why should I ever be interested in Hawai'i?
This idea instantly changed for good when I caught the tune of "Kawaipunahele" - I was taken away. Then I had a closer look at the lyrics - wow again.
And when I figured out that there is a hidden meaning between the lines of the poem, there was no holding. I need to admit that my favorite German poetry is the one from the era of "expressionism". There is kind of a "kaona" in these lyrics too if you dig deeper and have enough imagination.
My first trip to Hawai'i nei was in January 2001 - Arlene arrived earlier from Japan, I came from Germany and was pretty tired after a 18 hours flight. I was given the first lei of my life at Lihue airport, and we went to the Marriott where Arlene and some of her students were to attend the "E Pili Kakou e Ho'okahi Lahou", a hula seminar organized by Blaine Kia.
The coming days were full of surprises. Meeting Auntie Genoa Keawe, Kawaikapu Hewitt, the Lim family. Mel Amina, Maka Herrod, Sonny Ching among many others are just a few examples.
After the seminar we went to Maui, enjoyed the nature, relaxed and met with Uluwehi Guerrero who tought the hula for "Maika'i Ka Makani o Kohala" to Arlene. A lovely evening - Ulu's voice filling the whole house, birds were chirping in the garden, the sun was setting...
During the next years I had the privilege to meet with more wonderful people from the Islands. Just to mention a few: Luka Kauhola and his lovely ohana, Tutu Kapeka Chandler, Analou Aina, Jerry Santos, Auntie Paulette and her mother Auntie Marylou Kekuewa (Who became my kumu 'o lei hulu), Peala Ching.... I will never forget how on our first trip to 'Oahu Auntie Genoa greeted us with a "Welcome home" from stage with her lovely smile. We miss her. Badly. We also miss Uncle George Holokai and uncle Luka Kauhole sr. who passed away last year.
I should also mention Uncle George Naope too - he gave the name "Hau'oli" to Arlene.
Until 2006 I was still passive - didn't sing or play anything. I had some musical education during my high school years - six years of violin lessons and playing in the school orchestra. Kind of lost track of it during my studies and the work I did after it.
Well, 2006 was the year, when the change began. I wanted a special Christmas present for Arlene, and I wanted it to be related to Hawai'i nei and the music of the islands. So I planned to give her a 'ukulele, but it should be one of a kind. And because I did not want to envy her, I wanted one too... I ordered wood, had it sent to Hawai'i during our stay in May 2006, smuggled it through German customs and looked for a luthier.
Tough job - the German Guitar luthier masters were not happy about the suggestion to build 'ukulele ("I am a master guitar maker" - nose high).
After a few weeks I could convince one. Four months later they were ready: One made of mango wood for Arlene, one made out of koa for me.
Started my first attempt - liked the music, tried to sing, never got good at it.
In the meantime I thought: How good can a 'ukulele actually sound? I did some research on instrument building, and then I met a luthier who is as stubborn as I am when it comes to think about skills and quality: Hartmut Hegewald. He builds high end classical guitars since more than twenty-five years, and he was psyched about my idea to find out how to build the most sophisticated 'ukulele possible.
During the next 6 or nine months we met frequently and at last we agreed. The 'ukulele should have: Spanish neck, cedar bracing, beveled top and bottom, zero fret, mahagony neck, nice bindings and rosettes.
We designed the bindings ourselves. They look like the tattoo on Braddah IZ'S arm: A Hawai'ian wave pattern which kind of resemble the sound waves. They are made by one of the three wood mosaic masters left in Germany.
It takes time to build them - two have been sold so far to 'ukulele players in Japan, one to a German 'ukulele player. Hartmut will not be able to make more than a dozen per year - he takes his time, and quality comes first.
I am very happy to announce that one of the instruments will close the circle to Hawai'i nei on this coming July: Kolohe Imamura will play it during Roy Sakuma's 'Ukulele festival in Waikiki. Those of you who will be there too, please take a look. Kolohe doesn't speak much English, but he is kind and will show you his new favorite toy.
So much for today - whoever wants to see and hear what I play please take a look at http://www.youtube.com/user/HauoliHaole.
Kanikapila!
HauoliHaole
PS: I know: English is not my mother tongue. Forgive the spelling mistakes and my grammar. It won't get any bettah.
|
"Ua Mau Ke Ea 'O Ka Aina I Ka Pono"
Kamehameha III, , King of Hawaii
"Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawai'ian people."
David Kalakaua, King of Hawaii |
Edited by - Haole on 06/15/2009 08:27:23 AM |
|
|
wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2009 : 01:06:31 AM
|
Guten morgen, Haole. Welcome to Taro Patch. You have made a long journey to get to this lo`i. And there is nothing wrong with your command of the English language. In school, I took 6 years of German language lessons and I could read only the most simple texts, but I will never forget Herr von Ostheim, my teacher.
Your wife dances beautiful hula and you do a very nice job with playing the `ukulele and singing. Your audience can tell you have nothing but aloha in your heart of the music, the `aina and the `olelo. I too am a haole who has fallen in love with the same things.
I think your story is a lovely one. And folks should know by your videos that you get to have great fun playing music and making videos with Keonepax. How fun is that?
Aloha from Cleveland, OH from Paul (rendesvous1840) an I. Please join in some of the discussions we have going. Me, I love to talk story, not that anyone would be able to tecognize that. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
 |
|
|
Haole
Aloha
Japan
7 Posts |
Posted - 06/15/2009 : 4:49:30 PM
|
Mahalo nui loa, Wanda,
for your warm welcome and your kind and encouraging comments on the videos.
Oh yes: Lots of fun playing with John - he is patient with all the misses I have. And me talking story all the time when we videotape.... 
And yes again: I fell in love with Hawai'i and the kanaka maoli. Such creativity and generosity at heart!
I have my own opinion about the political facts in Hawai'i nei, but that would be far off topic and this is a music forum. We remain quiet about that....
It's actually all Arlene's fault dragging me into da 'olelo and da mele 'o Hawai'i nei - I just love it. And nah - she didn't have to drag me.
Today I collect as many mele as possible, my song sheet collection is growing, and my fingers get less clumsy with the 'ukulele.
Six years of German lessons - wow. German is quite tough I'd guesstimate - not because of the pronounciation but because of the tricky grammar with oh so may exceptions from the rules...
So now you can imagine that I didn't get very far with the violin. Beethoven's first symphony was as far as we went with our school orchestra. 
I will join some discussions for sure.
If you think, people here at the patch might be interested to read about 'ukulele sessions we have here in Japan, I will share some pics and vids.
Many Japanese folks love Hawai'ian music too, and lots play 'ukulele and sing. This coming Saturday we will have a jamming night at my favorite pub here in Fujisawa in memory of Braddah IZ's 50th birthday.
John promised to come, and I am looking forward to it. Still struggling with "Kuhio Bay"...
A hui hou - kanikapila! 
Haole |
"Ua Mau Ke Ea 'O Ka Aina I Ka Pono"
Kamehameha III, , King of Hawaii
"Hula is the language of the heart, and therefore the heartbeat of the Hawai'ian people."
David Kalakaua, King of Hawaii |
|
|
|
rendesvous1840
Ha`aha`a
USA
1055 Posts |
Posted - 06/16/2009 : 5:58:47 PM
|
Welcome to the 'patch, Haole. I'm sure a number of us would like to see what you have to say about uke in Japan, and see pictures and videos.
Paul |
"A master banjo player isn't the person who can pick the most notes.It's the person who can touch the most hearts." Patrick Costello |
|
|
|
hawaiianmusiclover06
`Olu`olu
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 03:34:11 AM
|
Aloha and welcome to the patch HauoliHaole. You will find an instant 'ohana over here.
Alana :) |
Aloha Kakou, maluhia a me aloha mau loa (Hello everyone, peace and love forever) |
|
|
|
Kawika96797
Akahai
USA
71 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2009 : 06:17:18 AM
|
Aloha,
wow..great intro. great story. Plenty mana`o Nothing wrong with your english. It's better than 90% of the other writing I see on the net!
--nice videos.
kawika |
"I have no recollection of that" |
|
|
|
alika207
Ha`aha`a
USA
1260 Posts |
Posted - 09/03/2009 : 12:06:53 PM
|
| Aloha mai! It's 'Alika from youtube! Welcome to the patch! |
He kehau ho'oma'ema'e ke aloha.
'Alika / Polinahe |
|
|
|
Miriamoly
Aloha
USA
4 Posts |
Posted - 09/07/2009 : 10:11:21 AM
|
| Thanks for sharing your music and hula on youtube! I've subscribed so I won't lose you! |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
Aloha from da HauoliHaole
