We took a trip over the Waimea Bridge to Waimea BrewPub on Thursday night to get a sneak preview of the Kama’ainas and to make sure they were all on board for their Monday night gig at EKK. Never fear...the Kama’ainas are here!

In spite of some kind of main highway traffic snag, they were nearly all there at 5:00 pm . . . even before I got there. Looking dapper and rarin’ to go was 86-year-old leader of the group, Ambrose Smith of Kekaha, the charming and personable David Sproat all the way from north shore, Gabby Manintin who had to take a night off from work to be here, Mark Faye of the well-known westside kama’aina Faye family who sits in with the group, and the youngest member of the group, the talented Edward Punua who sacrificed a night of doing tax work to join us.

Kaua’i Style Kanikapila with the Kama’ainas

Jodi Ascuena told me that someone wrote on the sign-in sheet, “No one in Koloa knew about EKK.” She said, “That’s why we call it Kaua’i’s best kept secret.” My reply to that was, “Well, I guess she does not go to the hot tubs where you can find out what’s happening on Kaua’i.”

In any case, there was a larger than normal turn-out so you can bet your bottom dollar that the Kama’ainas are safe with their fan club. Ambrose’s family, Allan and Linda Smith, granddaughter Mia with her husband and her infant twins were all there to enjoy the show .... four generations under one roof.

Even the paparazzi was out taking photos and videos left and right; I guess folks know when a legacy is in the making and want to say, “I was there!” The Kaua’i Historical Society is filming a sequel to their first Kanikapila series video which featured north and east side musicians; the next one will focus on the south and west side talents.

Some young volunteers were there to photograph the group for their first CD which is in the making. Ambrose is 86 years old so the group decided it was time to cut a CD. He was one of the original Kama’ainas along with the Kanahele brothers of Ni’ihau who have since passed on.

Their combined years would add up to a wealth of stories of days gone by, but probably they were reserving that for the video. Tonight they were here to sing and the audience really appreciated that. The group picked well known favorites which everyone could join in to sing...and the hula dancers were out full force as they took turns bringing the music to life with their awesome dancing -- Uncle Verne Kauanui had a field day, Sabra Kauka adds elegance to every stage, Po’ai Galindo, always ready with a hula, danced with her ‘uli’uli. Fran Nestel and Amy Franklin danced from the sidelines, and several others could not resist the music.

David Sproat, who plays the upright bass, kept the show moving along with his humorous comments, giving chord cues to the instrumentalists. He quipped, “If you don’t know the song, fake it ... softly.” David teaches ukulele class on the north shore so this was right down his alley. In the first hour, he and Ambrose worked with the large ukulele circle. I wondered why he would drive all the way from Hanalei to Waimea to play music, but I found out that Thursday is his Waipa poi delivery day. His daughter Stacey Sproat Beck oversees the operations at the Waipa Ahupua’a in Hanalei. They make the real Hawaiian poi there.

During intermission and after the show, several ladies came up and asked, “Is David single?” Yes! he is very charming but No! I don’t think he’s available! Keep on trying, ladies ... Leap Year is not over until December 31, 2008.

Gabby Manintin shared his guitar secrets with the small guitar circle during the first hour. Whenever he sang a falsetto song, you could see everyone taking a huge intake of breath...his voice is so pure and clear and soars into the skies. I first heard him singing Kale Kaui’s song at the Kaua’i Composers Concert and have been trying to get him to EKK for years...finally, he came and he blew everyone away.

Ambrose Smith, who has been playing the ukulele for 80 of his 86 years, must know more songs than anyone else and strums his ukulele like nobody’s business. A sly smile crosses over his face as he sings...he must have his share of stories to tell. His son Allan told me that he used to work at Kekaha Sugar Plantation as chauffeur, courier, administrative supervisor (right-hand man to the plantation boss) for many years. He’s earned his retirement and knows how to enjoy it.

Edward Punua of the talented Punua family is developing into one of Hawai’i’s top steel guitar player, and that sweet romantic sound of the steel guitar takes us back to the early days of Hawaii Calls type music. Great that this instrument has been experiencing a revival. His Mom Ku’ulei made sure he learned from the best while he attended the University of Hawai’i. An accountant during the day, he manages to play music and perform with his ‘ohana. As a student in my art classes at Kaua’i high school, he always strove to learn everything and achieve high quality in his art work...not surprising to see him so accomplished as a musician.

Mark Faye, not a regular member of the Kama’ainas, joins them whenever he can and brings his upright bass for David Sproat to play. He also came and played the bass the night that Mihana Souza and Uncle Bill Tapia came to EKK. Tonight he played the ukulele and knew all the songs in their repertoire.

Although they featured different singers on each song, the entire group pretty much sang all the numbers; falsetto seems a style that they all love. “ ‘Ekolu Mea Nui”, a well known hymn, was actually sung the way Mama Ane of Ni’ihau and the rest of Ni’ihau sings it. Favorite Kaua’i songs included “Nani Kaua’i”, “Hanohano Hanalei”, “Hele On to Kaua’i” and “Hula O Makee”.

Songs such as “I Kona” and “Akaka Falls” featured Gabby, but he also threw in a Gabby Pahinui-style “Hi’ilawe”. Edward Punua added a lot of spice and liveliness with his zesty version of “E Hui”, “Holoholo Ka’a” and “For You and I”. Ambrose has his favorites - “My Yellow Ginger Lei”, ”Roselani”, “Puamana”, “Sweet Tuba Rose”, and some BI songs .

“Naka Pueo” sung in the style of Na Palapalai, “Makee Ailana”, “Aloha ‘Oe” were a few more of their endless repertoire of songs that could have gone on all night.

As always, the evening ends too soon, but everyone leaves with giant smiles on their faces and tears streaming down their cheeks. EKK does that to you.

Upcoming in March and April:

March 17 - We will have the combined talents of Stephen Inglis and Makana! March 24 - Ozzie Kotani and Danny Carvalho; March 31 - Paul Togioka, Dolly Kanekuni and Brent Eynon.

April 7 - Aaron Sala, known as The New Traditionalist, will be our last Monday EKK presenter. April 13 - EKK ends with a Finale Concert at KCC PAC featuring Aaron Mahi, Dennis and David Kamakahi, Natalie A’i Kamau’u with Iolani Kamau’u and Chad A’i, and the Ladies of Kapu Kinimaka’s Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani.

(s) Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, www.gardenislandarts.org -- “Celebrating 31 years of bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS”

E Kanikapila Kakou 2008 -- EKK Silver Anniversary -- Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and Garden Island Arts Council supporters. Space made available by Island School.

Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Legislature of Hawai’i and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts.