“The Essence of Kanikapila” captured by Kimo Hussey and the Kaua’i Kama’ainas.

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Artists like to start their programs singing a song from the host island and what better way to open the show than with Gabby Manintin singing Nani Kauai in his flawless falsetto. Voice of an angel so easily flowing from, of all things, the lips of an engineer.  “How can?” Gabby’s Hawaiian falsetto or leo ki’e ki’e, is so much a part of the Kama’aina’s sound that Gabby was featured in several of the best-known melodies such as Akaka Falls from Hawai’i Island, Kalama’ulu from Molokai and several others. Genoa Keawe would have been pleased to hear Gabby singing her signature song. Not to be locked into one style only, his final solo rendition was The Hawaiian Cowboy and he did the paniolos proud with his yodeling.

For many years, the Kama’aina’s with their leaders, 93-year-old Amby Smith and David Sproat (who unfortunately had to be on the mainland tonight) entertained every Thursday evening in the restaurant at Waimea Plantation Cottages.  Performing tonight were Edward Punua on steel guitar, Gabby Manintin with his guitar and soaring falsetto and Jack Wilhelm on his ‘ukulele which has been transformed into a bass. Joining his good friends and toting his favorite ‘ukulele, jazz ‘ukulele soloist Kimo Hussey hails from the island of O’ahu.  It took a lot of effort to finally get him to our island as Kimo is sought after in many countries.  He has a gift for reaching out and touching his audience emotionally.

Kimo conducted the ‘ukulele circle during the first hour and loved the dedication and interest of everyone in the group because they really wanted to learn to play. He offered to return to Kaua’i to give an ‘ukulele workshop, so look for the sign-up sheet next week.

Artists are often multi-talented in many arenas. Ed Punua, the newest and youngest member of the Kama’aina group is a talented visual artist who spent many years in my high school art classes exploring every fun art project i sent his way; he excelled in everything. Of course, as a member of the Victor and Mary Ann Punua family where generations start performing on stage while still in training pants, Edward is no stranger to the stage.

His Mom, the famous late kumu hula Mary Ann Punua, made sure he got the best instruction when he expressed interest in learning to play the steel guitar. So while attending the University of Hawai’i, he took steel guitar lessons from Barney Isaacs and quickly moved up in the ranks of steel guitar players in Hawai’i. The magical sounds of this musical instrument was discovered in 1893 by an accidental drop of a comb onto the strings. Haunting and exotic, the sound of the steel became the rage and is reminiscent of early romantic Hawai’i.  Steel experienced a slump for awhile but with so many dedicated proponents of this instrument, the steel guitar has made a major comeback in Hawai’i. In addition, it has found its way into country music and is played in many foreign countries.  Edward shared Sand, a steel guitar standard by Andy Aiona and Billy Abrams and How D’ya Do? as well as added the smooth sweeping sounds to all the songs sung by the group.

Continuing with music of the host island, Kimo gave an upbeat jazz ‘ukulele version of Ka’ualoko. The group followed with a lively rendition of Hanohano Hanalei. Another beautiful song, A’oia, sung and played with an up-tempo beat had folks on the fringes dancing and bopping. Kimo, whose last name is anything but Hawaiian, traced the migration of the Hussey name from England, a land of many “Husseys” to Nantucket, from which one Hussey, a missionary, sailed to Waipio where he was asked to build a church. That Hussey loved Kohala a lot, and everyone in Kohala loved him so much, they encouraged him to stay by offering him the “pick of the litter.” She eventually became Kimo’s great-great-grandmother. Hence, the emergence of the Hawaiian Husseys. He sang Maikai Kamakani O Kohala to honor the place in Hawaii where Husseys took root.

Hawai’i Island is a place with beautiful songs speaking of distinctively different little towns. Our presenters took us on a musical tour of that island. Close to Kohala is Kamuela or Waimea with its distinctive green rolling hillsides. Nani Waimea speaks of this unique and charming little town. Tucked away on the north shore is a jewel of a place called Waipio, where the legendary waterfall harbored lovers in their secret hideaway. Of course they called on Gabby to sing Hi’ilawe. Moving down the coast toward Hilo town we stopped to take in the breathtaking majesty of Akaka Falls, another unforgettable falsetto song.

Just as the ‘ukulele is so much a part of Hawai’i, pidgin English is also very much Hawai’i, so Jack sang the Pidgin English Hula. Born and raised in Maui, Jack Wilhelm shared a medley of songs about the Valley isle with a jazz beat that had everyone tapping and swaying.  Haiku, Paia, Pu’unene, Waikamu, and a number of little plantation towns found their way into the songs of the island. Waikiki by Andy Cummings, a song that takes us back to the days of “Hawaii Calls”, was a song that Jack wanted to share. He also gave pointers to Hawaiian music lovers to check out “Huapala” website to find any song lyrics and melody. Another great site is “Onsong” for anyone trying to transpose to another key and expand one’s grasp of playing music.

One of the highlights of the evening was the ‘ukulele giveaway. A beautiful ‘ukulele donated by Kamoa ‘Ukulele of Kapa’a was to be won by one lucky donor to the ‘ukulele kitty.  Before the name was drawn, Kimo was asked to play on the Gift ‘Ukulele…and did he ever play!  It sounded awesome with his magical fingers just strumming, strumming, strumming.  Boy!  He is good!  Drum roll……a name is picked out from the jar by audience member Sandra Rice….and the lucky winner of  the Gift ‘ukulele is…..Mike Horning of Kalaheo!!!  Lucky guy! Huge mahalo to the generous folks at Kamoa ‘ukulele who will be donating nine more instruments…one for each week. Another good reason to show up at EKK!

To be continued next week…..with yet another fabulous group!

Monday, January 27, 2014, 6:00 – 9:00 pm

E Kanikapila Kakou “Continuing the Legacy”

Cyril Pahinui (slack key guitar) with Jeff Au Hoy (steel guitar) & Peter Moon, Jr. (‘ukulele)

 If you have a disability and need assistance please email Carol Yotsuda at <giac05@icloud.com> for Monday events.