Kinimaka Ohana of Kaua’i

Exemplary in their dedication to the perpetuation of the Hawaiian spirit of aloha in all aspects of their lives, many members of this double family showed up to share their aloha with the EKK resident and visitor gang on February 13.
A record turnout of 325 folks including 22 talents plus family members made the evening like a mini-version of the actual 4-day Polynesian Festival celebration that Kapu Kinimaka-Alquiza and her team put on each Spring.

Kapu took the time to set up an extensive photo display to share the family geneology from the patriarch and matriarchs of the 13-sibling Kinimaka family to all the children and grandchildren since.

Giving a family history of how the family – “first batch” and “second batch” as she called them – came to be, she shared that none of them had heard of or knew of such things as “step sisters” or “half brothers” as they all looked upon each other as one very large family. Only when they grew up and learned from others did they become aware that within their own family existed such irrelevant distinctions.

One interesting story she shared had to do with the handmade quilt upon which the photos rested. The beautiful quilt was a peace offering from wife #1 to wife #2, something she learned about when her own mother placed upon her the responsibility of keeping and passing on the family heirloom. Among all the children, both mothers were looked upon as their own shared mothers.

She shared stories of her summer teenage escapades to help out her well-known Kaua’I Surf head beachboy brother Percy (from the first marriage). Somehow it was more fun helping Percy give canoe rides to tourists and chores around his home than it was to help with chores in her own home. She recalled with a smile how he used to stand in the back of the canoe and rock the vessel on waveless days so the tourists would come in breathless from experiencing an exciting canoe ride. She introduced Kaupena Kinimaka, Percy’s son, who came to be a part of the Kinimaka sharing.

During the instrumental hour, Titus Kinimaka, her youngest brother, and Keone Mahuka sat outside with the guitarists and taught them to play some of the songs for the evening while Maha Leoiki and Ben Nakaahiki worked with the large group of ukulele players to learn “He Aloha Mele” written by older brother Iva Kinimaka. A long play album cover with recording artist Iva Kinimaka was one of the items on the geneology table.

Joining them on the stage as the program began were Kapu, her sister Keala Kinimaka-Senkus, who has a keiki hula school, Joyce Okinaka, a gifted vocalist, Kunane Aipolani on the standup bass, Wes Kaui on guitar, Jeff Igelesia on guitar and Kathy Palama.

Titus and his group shared “Nani ‘O Kaua’I” and several of their songs early in the program as some of them had to leave early.

Hula is a way of life for Kapu’s family so sharing the talent of her hula dancers was a very natural part of her programs. The stunning beauty of Jana Scott as she gracefully brought the songs to life in two solo hula numbers was absolutely breathtaking. Her proud parents, Debbie and John Scott, looked on with pride as their daughter danced her way into everyone’s heart.

Kapu’s daughter Jill Kapulani Alquiza and two daughters-in-law, Liana Palama-Alquiza and Dez Rene Kealamokihana Perriera-Alquiza, shared a beautiful hula titled “Kaimana’alohi” composed by Kapu in honor of her first grandchild. Both their husbands, the Alquiza brothers, had to hold up the fort with the Luau Hula show at the Marriott hotel with the rest of their children and disappointingly could not be present at EKK.

Kapu shared the story of how she and Maha Leoiki had come up with a very innovative hula when Nathan Kalama challenged kumu hulas to come up with new out-of-the-box approaches to hula entries for the Kauai Mokihana Festival. One of the rules to gain points was to utilize “something” that is not connected with hula in any way.

Rising to the challenge, they created the “Jittering Hula” in which six youthful dancers came out with the jittering toy dangling off the topknot of their hairdo and they danced a lively fun hula which won the first place award in that category at the Kauai Mokihana Festival. Taelyn Tangonan, Aimee Sato, Ashlee Miyashiro, Makanoe Thompson, Tori Kobayshi, and Kaiulani Mayo were a gleeful delight in their colorful hula attire and their fast-paced movements with the silver jitter rings.

One of the most poignant and beautiful songs that was shared by Kapu’s group was a song written by her husband Pete, who was in the back recording the evening on his video. The first new year when all their kids had left them in an “empty nest”, she and Pete along with her Mom were reminiscing their life together…a long life considering she met Pete when she was 13 years old…and the snippets of their recollections all came together into an extraordinary love song from husband to wife. Kapu was almost shy as she explained that in Hawaiian songs, one needs to read between the lines and “figure it”. Awapuhi” means ginger blossom and speaks of the scent of ginger.

Keala Kinimaka-Senkus treated everyone to her exquisite dancing to “Nani ‘O Kaua’I” while the ukulele players strummed away and everyone sang it like a bunch of pros. Everyone joined hands and the chorus of voices singing “Hawaii Aloha” ended a jam-packed evening of stories, songs, hula and much love. So much happened in one evening that it is hard to imagine that it all took place in one night, but I was there and it did.

This coming Monday, February 20, the gifted ukulele virtuoso Herb Ohta, Jr. and Keoki Kahumoku, one of the Masters of Slack Key artists that won the 2006 Grammy award will be the presenting duo. They gave a rousing and wonderful performance along with Kainani Kahaunale at the “KUPUNA” concert at KCCPAC on Friday night.

Herb and Keoki are another duo that is not to be missed.

Ukulele and Guitar toting participants should get there before 6:00 pm….it’s going to be another JAM!

Carol Kouchi Yotsuda

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