GIAC • Taiko Kauai

Anne O'Malley talks about taiko:

Taiko was AWESOME last night. There were so many of them and so many drums and they've gotten so good. Ray started by chasing someone (I don't know who--they had masks) in and around the drums.

In one number, all crouched down, then two at a time popped up and drummed and it kept adding on and adding on.

Seated next to me on a bench was a grandfather and his wife. A boy of about 7 or so leaned against him, had been falling asleep, but the grandfather made comments to him such as it won't be long now and the drummers you want to see will come soon. The minute they entered and started, the boy was sitting straight up, eyes wide and transfixed by the entire experience. At the end, the grandmother said something to him about doing taiko when he gets older. You could tell, this was an experience that was changing this kid's life. Who knows? He might become another Ray Nitta! Or Kenny Endo! Makes you aware of how important we all are as role models in life--well, some of us.

“Art of Taiko Drumming” is a unique cultural and educational program that introduces the many drums and percussion instruments of Japan as used in both traditional and contemporary music. In the grand Kabuki, the “taiko” is used to create the sound of water, the sound of waves, and even the
sound of snow. From a joyous festival to the blossoming of the beautiful white plum flower, the “taiko” is boundless in its expression.

Taiko Master Kenny Endo began early training in western drums but discovered TAIKO, the Japanese drum, to be his path in life. Mr. Endo has nearly 30 years experience with the “taiko” and was the first non-Japanese national to receive a stage name in the art of classical Japanese drumming.

He has performed extensively throughout the U.S. and Japan as well as Europe, Egypt, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada, and the former U.S.S.R.

Sponsored by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts Folk Arts Program with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Produced by Tradex, a national organization for Traditional Artists Exchange.

Mahalo to Island School for providing workshop space.

Taiko Kauai was formed in January of 2002 as the only adult taiko group on the island of Kaua'i. Initially, our goal was fun, fitness and perpetuating the art and culture of taiko drumming.

Our members range from the twenty-somethings to the sixty-plus. We meet on Friday evenings from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Waimea Honpa Hongwanji social hall and have been practicing on rubber tires with packaging tape stretched over them.



	On January 31, 2003, we made our debut performance at the opening reception of the "Continuing the Legacy" exhibition at Kukui Grove Center.

With the recent grant we received from the Annie Sinclaire Knudsen fund through the Hawaii Community Foundation's "Mo' Bettah Together" program, we were able to purchase equipment and tools to make our own drums. We also kokua (help) all the churches on Kauai by having them participate in the repair and maintenance of their church taiko drums.

Presently, we are unable to accommodate additional new members.

An open enrollment period will be announced in the near future. Visitors are always welcome at the weekly practice sessions.

Taiko

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