 This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis our guest is Auntie Geri Kuhia and Mehana.
Known as the “Songbird,” Auntie Geri was born and raised in La'ie, O'ahu. Coming from a musical family, she grew up surrounded by traditional Hawaiian singers, musicians and hula dancers. Now living in Southern California, she regularly performs with her band Mehana both there and in Hawai'i. She has also performed with her family, the Kuhia Ohana, featuring her mom (Auntie Liz Kuhia) and dad (Uncle Miki Kuhia). She has had the opportunity to sing with top name recording artists such as Auntie Genoa Keawe, Al Harrington, Poncie Ponce, Uncle Joe Keawe and even once with Elvis Presley. She toured Japan with Danny Kaleikini, Aaron Sala and a host of other entertainers. She sang for many years at the Merrie Monarch hula competition for Sissy Kaio's halau.
The members of Mehana are Bucci Canencia, Rick Jitchaku and Auntie Carole.
Although Auntie Carole was born and raised in Southern California, she lived on Kaua’i and her heart has always been in Hawai'i. She comes from a musical family as well, and began playing piano at age 4. Instilled with a love of Hawai’i and its culture passed down from her mother, who played Boogie Woogie piano with the big bands in the 1940's, Carole danced Hula as a teenager under Leila MacFarland, taught herself how to play guitar and bass, and began playing Hawaiian music with Bill Kamaka at age 20. She has had an extensive musical career, putting together and touring with her Hawaiian Floor Show and band; a 5-piece all-female touring top 40 band called Sassafrass; and touring the U.S. with the well-known country band, Country Spice. Through the USO, she toured Viet Nam in 1970 with the Harrison & Tyler Show, performing 35 shows. She has played with many hula halau in the Southern California area, including Moku Yoshikawa, Kanani Kalama, Auntie Noelani McIntosh, Kaiolani Bosque, Portia Hewitt-Seanoa (Tiare Productions), and others.
Rick Jitchaku hails from Hilo, Hawaii, and has been playing music since he was very young. He has recorded with Nappy Napoleon, and plays regularly with Uncle Pete Naluai. Rick also had a rock band named Main Street for 5 years, which regularly performed at a number of venues. He has played with Kalapana, Dan Kuramoto from Hiroshima, and has studied under Herb Ohta, Jr., Bill Tapia, and George Camarillo, Sr., to name a few. He also toured Japan with Kaimuki Young Hawaii every summer for 4 years. He was the featured ukulele soloist at the Slack Key Festival at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center in January, 2009.
Bucci Canencia was born and raised in Waialua, O'ahu. He was the lead guitarist and singer for the popular band The Krush, which won 4 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and toured the world for many years. After leaving The Krush (and prior to joining Mehana), Bucci performed with numerous bands in Las Vegas. (Unfortunately, Bucci was unable to make the trip from California, so he will not be performing Thursday night on Pakele Live.)
Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, July 28 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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Auntie Geri & Mehana - Pakele Live
Posted - 07/27/2011 : 10:59:41 PM
