An email message from Connie Velarde to Joan Conroe:

Joan, I must relay this to you!
After being upset, sad and let down by Uncle Sam.
I had the most remarkable evening.
I have a Grandson who is a bushle of apples in my eyes.
For sometime, I have been looking for a ukelele, that I could afford, for Kai Nalu. Who is seven. So this last weekend, in my travels I found THE UKELELE,
I kept it all weekend, without letting the cat out the bag.
So I couldn't wait until I picked him up from School, on Monday. 2:30 Couldn't get here fast enough. When we got to Tutu's house. I told Kai Nalu, that Tutu had a surpise for him. So , I said close your eyes and hold out your hand. I placed the item in his hand and said, OK, you can open your eyes now. I will never forget the look in his eyes. He just screamed, Tutu . is there a Ukelele in this bag. He unzipped the bag, with the speed of Lighting MacQueen. I haven't seen such glee, in a child.
So then, I said lets get the homework and early dinner over because we're going to KCC, for a Hawaiin night.
What we walked into was E KANIKAPILA KAKOU, I had never been.
Joan, there is Aloha.
The first half hour, all the ukelele artist, practice a new song.
I walked up and ask the leader if Kai Nalu, could set in with the artist? Well, sure he said. How long has he been playing. My reply was, He just got his Ukelele, today. With the look of surpise, and a smile. So my grandson had his first concert, with mostly Kapuna's, he was a HIT. He didn't miss a stroke.
It was better than the night at the Opera.
Then the show began. The eyes say it all.
There are only 2 weekends left of the season for the E KANIKAPILA KAKOU, guess where we will be.
The Aloha, in the room, and the Aloha all the artist gave us was amazing.
All tho its not quite the same. Its still possible to fly without a plane.
With Deepest Aloha
Tutu

Note: go to www.gardenislandarts.org and click on E Kanikapila Kakou to see photos of Kai Nalu at EKK

Brent, Paul and Dolly -- Three makes great company!

In the sixties it was Peter Paul and Mary; at EKK it’s Brent Paul and Dolly

Music somehow paves the way for unexpected affiliations.

Paul Togioka and Brent Eynon worked together at the telephone company when it had another name...can’t keep track of what it was called then. Paul is an engineer there, presently taking a break to devote more time to his music. Brent now works at the PMRF base in Mana, but music keeps them in touch; together they played bluegrass, kiho’alu, ukulele, country western. Brent is also part of Kaua’i’s Country Western Band (must be the farthest west Country Western Band in the United States) where he keeps company with Dolly Kanekuni. Dolly is the most sought after voice coach on the island who works with many of the star leads in Kaua’i theatrical productions. Now you know why they sound so awesome!

All talented people. All busy people. We certainly appreciated that they could get together to share their music with our EKK participants. It was such a treat to see them again on the weekend at the Orchid and Art Festival in Hanapepe.

For the first hour Paul Togioka worked with the ukulele circle while Brent and Dolly worked with the guitars. From rank beginners to expert ukulele players, it was a challenge for Paul, so I told him, “Teach to the best and the rest will jump on the train” and sure enough they got to some serious strumming before the hour was up.

Paul started off the program with a medley of kiho’alu guitar stylings; he plays annually in the Kiho’alu Slack Key Guitar Festival on Kauai and other islands. But the real surprise comes when he picks up that banjo...he really rips with that instrument.

Paul has also cut two CD’s with some really great music on them. A man of few words, he turned the emcee job over to Brent, and Brent ran with it keeping the evening moving along with lively commentary.

It was an evening of singing like we never sang before. Song after song, we sang until (we thought) we sounded (nearly) as good as gospel singers...but in country and Hawaiian style. Of course with a voice like Dolly leading the way it sure is easier to follow the leader...she made us all sound good and it was especially fun to see that we could harmonize.

Popular hawaiian songs like Dennis Kamakahi’s “Wahine 'Ilikea”, Carlos Andrade’s “Moonlight Lady”, and John Cruz’s “Island Style” brought out the voices in harmony and the hula dancers. “Hawaiian Interlude” is a beautiful song that speaks of the way many of us feel about living in Hawai’i. Brent went solo on this song.

For a nice change, we had a chance to sing some great new and familiar songs -- “Neon Moon” in the bluegrass style with Paul on the banjo, Brent on Guitar, and Dolly with her soaring voice, “I Just Want to Dance with You”, “Waikiki Chickadee” with a new second verse written by Brent, “Love and Honesty” with Brent leading the males and Dolly helping the ladies to harmonize, and Elvis’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love with You.”

After the break, Paul again shared a great medley on his guitar with some interesting nuances in his arrangements, and folks were yelling hana hou, but being ever so modest, he asked Dolly to carry on with more singing. The musical highlight was when Dolly sang two solos in her remarkable voice. "First Hawaiian" was really chicken skin! Folks were rushing up afterwards to find out when they could hear her perform again. The good news is that she will be part of the Spring “Kauai Sings! Irving Berlin” at Hukilau Lanai on April 18 and 19. She’s got a fan club going already.

As always, time spins by all to quickly when we are having fun....one more EKK Monday with Aaron Sala.

Be sure to come to the FINALE CONCERT on Sunday, April 13, and see you all next year!

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.