Hawaiians at Heart — Kaliko, Leokane, CH Boom

Monday, March 25 – FINAL NIGHT for EKK 2013 30th Birthday Celebration

As always, seating is limited at the Kaua’i Beach Resort; anyone wanting a seat should be there well before 7:00 pm! ! ! The 6:00 – 7:00 ‘ukulele hour will feature instruction by all three outstanding young ‘ukulele artists — Aldrine Guerrero, Kalei Gamiao, and Taimane Gardner.

Whether you are clued in on attending an EKK Monday by the man in the hotel hot tub, a woman at the Farmers’ Market, someone sitting across the aisle on the plane, the sales person at Kaua’i Museum, one of many hotel concierges or by your reliable friends and family, once you experience the aloha and magic of E Kanikapila Kakou, you too will be one of our army of word-of-mouth sales people for this very unique program . . . truly, the only one of its kind in the State of Hawai’i.

Mahalo to the Hawai’i Tourism Authority and the Kaua’i Office of Economic Development for supporting Garden Island Arts Council with the seed funding; mahalo to Kaua’i Beach Resort for inviting GIAC to rent the Jasmine Ballroom; mahalo to the EKK patrons for stepping up to the plate with money where their mouth is; mahalo to all who attend and make this the most appreciative audience that Hawaiian music artists could hope to experience.

Each week, as folks walk out the door, the most common comment is, “This is the best one yet!”
We hope to see you again next January 2014.

Monday, MARCH 18, 2013

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Mahalo to Tashi for the great photos and putting up everything for our Facebook Friends

Hawaiians at Heart: Kaliko, Leokane, CJ Boom

Harmonious strains of Na Ka Pueo swept through the audience with such emotional power and exquisite harmony that one could imagine walking through a Hawaiian rain forest with the sounds of the Hawaiian owl calling out from everywhere. If that was the only song sung, it would have been enough, but there was a lot more. This song with lyrics by Samuel Kalani Ka’eo set the tone for the entire evening of beautiful songs, hula and stories by what developed into an entire musical contingent that materialized just a few hours before the program.

It started with two years of trying to get Leokane Pryor of Hana, Maui to present together with Kaliko Beamer Trapp of Hawai’i Island because I knew they collaborated on some beautiful songs. Having just completed his Na Ka Pueo CD with CJ Boom Helekahi, Leokane asked to add CJ to the presenting artists. Kaua’i’s eminent kumu hula Kehaulani Kekua, long time friend and collaborator of Leokane, was also invited to add some hula to the program; 15 dancers from Halau Palaihiwa O Kaipuawai joined the party. To make the musical accompaniment as rich and full as possible, Aikane Alapai on guitar and Mike Odo on bass were invited to join the line-up. With just a couple of hours of rehearsal before the show, the program presented was truly Kanikapila Hawaiian style! Way to go!

Love songs of their home in remote Hana and other Maui sites reminded us how special is this place we call home. Aloha Honokalani written by the late Charles Ka’upu with music by Leokane is a fast-paced lively number that showed off their beautiful harmony; Home Malanai describes his home in the peaceful Maka’alai area where Leokane takes his dogs for daily walks along the shoreline. Ka Beauty O Maka’alea, a nahenahe melody speaks of the peacefulness and of a specific wind of that area; Kehaulani who met Leokane when she did a blessing of his property 12 years ago, interpreted the lyrics in a beautiful auwana hula.

A number of collaborations between Leokane and Kaliko have resulted in some extraordinary songs. Kaimu, my all-time favorite Leokane song, describes the warmth and friendship of Kaimu and of the home still standing there today, spared from the lava flow when Pele took a sudden left turn, missing the house, and wiping out the whole beach. Nani Malia is about a precious niece much loved by her family. Aloha no’o Hana was written when Leokane visited from California for Aloha Week and fell in love with Hana. Hana became his home. Kehaulani was moved to dance when she heard the song; she graced the stage with a hula that she choreographed many years ago in Leokane’s living room. Malaekahana is a song about the beach that Kaliko wrote while sitting on a log; Leokane showed up and composed a beautiful melody for the lyrics. Ke Ho’olono Nei with original lyrics by Suzanne Case, music by Leokane, and Hawaiian poetic adaptation and translation by Kaliko is a poignant song about the last of endangered birds who could not find a mate and thereby became extinct.

A native of Hana, CJ Boom Helekahi is a gentle giant with a smile that does not quit; he grew up in this remote little village at the bottom tip of Maui, went to school in Lahainaluna at the top end of Maui, went away to college and returned home only to find that something was missing for him. He left once more to the continent but that lasted only three months. He returned to his birthplace with renewed love for his hometown. With the passing of his Dad at this time he poured his emotions into the song Ku’u Home Aloha, undeniably an emotional love song for his home. Other songs professing his love for his home followed and are recorded on his Ka Mahina CD. CJ’s home became Leokane’s home as his family took the mainland boy into their fold and nurtured his Hawaiian heart; their friendship and musical collaboration continues to this day.

Hakumele 101 was a workshop session taught by Kaliko Beamer Trapp during the first hour. A small group of about 15 sat in a circle and by the end of the hour had composed, complete with leo, a hakumele that they bravely performed on stage.

1. Ola ka ‘ano’ano
I ka uka Wai’ale’ale
Kupu mai, ulu mai
Pua mai ke aloha

2. Halihali ka makani
I ke ‘ala o ka nahele
Haina mai ka puana
Pua mai ke aloha

Kaliko Simon Trapp’s talk story of how he made his way to Hawai’i and became a member of the Beamer Family could very well have been concocted by Shakespeare . . . except that it is not fiction. A white English boy from the Isle of Wight was living in the Bay area where he was drumming for “Dancers of the Pacific” halau founded by Marge who in 1948 was taught by Aunty Nona Beamer. Thirty years later, Aunty Nona was invited to California by the halau in appreciation for Marge. Not knowing who Aunty Nona was but recognizing that giving her a lei was appropriate, Kaliko strung together a few ratty plumeria from the marketplace. Nona asked him to sing a song in Hawaiian; Minei being one of two songs he knew, he sang the song without understanding that he was saying, “Look at me . . . how beautiful I am.”

He must have touched a soft spot in Aunty Nona’s heart as they kept in touch, Kaliko attempting to write a love song in Hawaiian for someone with whom he was infatuated. In her characteristic manner, Nona red-marked every line and sent it back to Kaliko. Kaliko’s family moved back to England leaving the 17-year-old lad alone in SF; he survived by living with 14 Tongans in a small room . . . admitting he really learned a lot from that experience.

In time Aunty Nona told Kaliko he should come to Hawai’i; he did so on a cruise ship. Under her tutelege he began to study the Hawaiian language and went everywhere with her to perform, teach and share Hawaiiana. Before she passed away in 2008, Aunty Nona saw that Kaliko was officially and ceremoniously brought into the Beamer Family as her hanae son.

He shared songs by Helen Desha Beamer, Aunty Nona’s grandmother, Keawa’iki, which she composed on her way to visit Francis I’i Brown. He also touched on how she simplified Pupu Hinu Hinu, originally a chant about tree snails, so little children could sing it easily.

He also shared a story of how John Lennon’e Imagine now has Hawaiian lyrics which his brother Keola Beamer asked him to write during lunch for a concert four hours later. Written on a napkin, the song was performed in Hawaiian by Keola and Raiatea. The lyrics now belong to Yoko Ono. Kaliko did a super job of singing the Hawaiian Imagine.

Obliging my request for a Na Lani Eha song, the group sang Leokane’s interpretation of a medley of Sanoe by Queen Lili’uokalani and Ku’uipo i Ka H’e Pu’e One by Miriam Likelike. I’ve already put in another request that next time he comes to Kaua’i, he will sing ‘Ainahau and Ku’u Pua Paoakalani.

Mahina ‘O Hoku with music and lyrics by Lillian Awa is one of the many songs that the halau dancers interpreted with their hula. Holo Holo Ka’a, Aloha Kaua’i, Haleakala Hula and Puamana are some of the songs interpreted in hula by the halau. What an unexpected and wonderful treat it was to see the songs danced. Dancers in the audience came up for Aloha Kaua’i; Puamana was the dance taught by Kehaulani during the ‘ukulele hour so the stage was filled with dancers and ‘ukulele players for the grand finale.

E Kanikapila Mondays often start very small with the planting of a seed or two and blossoms into a fabulous evening of songs, stories and dance . . . another all-out party as we move toward our last Monday night.

* * * * *
A BIT OF OUR 30-YEAR HISTORY:
We first started out in the nice warm carpeted cafeteria at KCC and when we got a record crowd of 100, the place was nicely packed; after Hurricane Iniki, we tried to make do in the crowded automotive classroom or the small music room but all that hermit-crab existence was a confusing challenge, so we moved to the Saint Michael’s parish hall which was fine for up to 125 people if some folks sat outside on the benches in the rain. Island School’s gracious hospitality and comfortable cafeteria with maximum capacity of 270 was fine for us for awhile but when 470 tried to attend and had to peer through the jalousies to see the program, we had to make a move to the Jasmine Ballroom at Kaua’i Beach Resort. Support from HTA made the added expense of the large ballroom space possible, but now…what to do? We have successed ourselves out of every available venue.
Thirty years ago I could count the musicians I knew on one hand, so the late Kaleo Kakalia took on the task of recruiting Hawaiian musicians for EKK. He told me that Hawaiian music has many different styles so he wanted to show that in his choice of artists. This has stood me in good stead as over the years we have shared many different styles of Hawaiian music — oldtime favorites, song by famous composers, top of the line slack key artists, ukulele stars, incredible falsetto singers, authentic chanters, kumu hula and their halau, himeni, hakumele, rare Niihau music, backyard musicians, hapa-haole musicians, steel guitar, duos, trios, Waikiki-style entertainers, world style music, bluesy, jazzy, and almost rock — you name it, you got it. In addition to the weekly Mondays, we have sponsored numerous ground-breaking concerts for Kaua’i.

* * * * * * * * * *

Kuleana music is bringing back The Hawaiian Legends to KCC PAC on Sunday, April 7; GIAC gives a thumbs up on this concert! Ledward Kaapana, Nathan Aweau, Dennis Kamakahi and Mike Kaawa on the stage together — how much better can it be? Advance tickets available on Monday, March 25, at EKK entrance.

* * * * *

If you have a disability and need assistance call Carol Yotsuda at (808) 245-2733 for Monday events.
Contact: Garden Island Arts Council, <giac@hawaiilink.net>
(s) Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, www.gardenislandarts.org — “Celebrating 36 years of bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS”
E Kanikapila Kakou 2013 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and the Garden Island Arts Council supporters with support from Kaua’i Beach Resort.
Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawai’i State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Abrigo ‘Ohana Charms EKK Audience.

Heads Up for Monday, March 18

As always, seating is limited at the Kaua’i Beach Resort; anyone wanting a seat should be there well before 7:00 pm! ! !
The 6:00 – 7:00 ‘ukulele hour will expand into a three-ring circus tonight with three choices for workshop.
The usual ‘ukulele hour will be taught by Leokane Pryor and CJ Boom Helekahi of Hana Maui.
The new wrinkle is Kaliko Beamer-Trapp, noted Hawaiian language instructor from Hawai’i Island, who will be working with those wanting to learn the fun and simple of hakumele . . . be there ready to go at 6:00. Kaua’i’s eminent kumu hula Kehaulani Kekua is joining her good friends in a hula circle; she is also bringing some of her halau dancers to join the program.
The 7:00 – 9:00 pm program will expand even further with Aikane Alapai and Mike Odo joining the music for what promises to be Kanikapila Island Style

Monday, MARCH 11, 2013

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Mahalo to Tashi for the great photos and putting up everything for our Facebook Friends

Keep Your Eyes on the Abrigo ‘Ohana

The Abrigo family is as rare and special as you could hope to meet. At first glance it appears that they have three talented children who can sing, but when you get ni’ele and ask questions, you find that they are a very special blend of smart talented siblings, nurtured, taught and coached by very akamai and resourceful parents who are committed to helping their children be the best that they can be, whose idols and mentors are world-class pillars in the world of Hawaiian music — folks like the late Aunty Genoa Keawe who definitely inspired Emily and Uncle Led Kaapana who inspires just about every musician who hears him.

Home-schooling can take many forms but when you look at what this family does under the label of home-schooling, it is no wonder that these three siblings — Timi who just made 18, Emily who is 14 (going on 24) and Quinn who is 10 but very precocious for his age, are as accomplished as they are. Wanting to spend as much time on their music and wanting to advance in their studies at their own accelerated speed, the kids have produced their first CD entirely on their own and are now working with Dad Tim on building their own sound studio as part of their studies.

It also gives them as much quality time to spend together as a family and extends into their hobbies and free time which shows that they have learned to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. An extended visit to Kaua’i to celebrate Timi’s 18th birthday gave the family time to enjoy shoreline fishing, a family pastime taught by Dad Tim, with very short 20-inch fishing poles complete with reels that they tested along Kaua’i shorelines in Kapa’a and Nawiliwili. Although wheel-chair bound, Tim is fully involved with every aspect of their life, often video-taping their many performances around these Hawaiian Islands.

Although young in age they have been active in the island music scene as can be viewed on U-Tube. I asked Emily about one of her earlier performances as shown on U-Tube and noted how much her voice has developed; she said she was only ten or eleven then. If she sang like that at age 10 and sings the way she does at age 14, I would like to see where she takes it when she is 18 years old . . . quite a remarkable voice. She sang two of Aunty Genoa’s songs — Ale Koki and Alika as the hana hou number. Standing ovation!

All three of them sing and play several instruments. Timi can be seen on UTube playing the steel but he was on guitar for this trip, Emily plays guitar and has some very serious pipes, and young Quinn plays the ‘ukulele but often plays the upright bass, which for this performance was manned by Mom Lanet. Lanet was there backing up the trio, but they carried the show, taking turns at the introduction and story-telling and taking turns on the vocals. Quinn, although the youngest, had as much a part of the lead singing and commentary as the two older siblings. So charming is he that during intermission, several ladies came up and told me that they wanted to “take Quinn home.” “The line forms to my left,” I replied. He is cute as a button but right up there with the others in stage presence.

In addition to Hawaiian classics such as Ahi La Makani by Queen Liliuokalani, Pua Olena by Jimmy Kaholokula, Rough Riders in the style of Sonny Chillingworth, Nani in the style of Ledward Kaapana, Maori Brown Eyes and especially the falsetto slayed by Emily, the trio sang a number of Creedence Clearwater songs which appear to be one of their favorite groups. They also sang a couple of songs written by Mom Lanet; Opae’ula was also taught to the ‘ukulele circle; Nani 0 Waialua speaks of their home way out in the country on the north end of the island.

On top of all the singing, they also obliged the requests for hula — Quinn dancing Kalualoa about Damon Tract which is now Honolulu International Airport, Timi doing Aunty Irmgard Aluli’s Boy from Laupahoehoe which was the late Bill Kaiwa’s signature hula, and Emily showing her grace to Ikona sung by Tim.

It was a charming performance by shared by three very talented young musicians; the audience loved it as they love every EKK Monday. Certainly they will appear more and more often on stages around these Hawaiian Islands . . . watch for them!
A BIT OF OUR 30-YEAR HISTORY:
We first started out in the nice warm carpeted cafeteria at KCC and when we got a record crowd of 100, the place was nicely packed; after Hurricane Iniki, we tried to make do in the crowded automotive classroom or the small music room but all that hermit-crab existence was a confusing challenge, so we moved to the Saint Michael’s parish hall which was fine for up to 125 people if some folks sat outside on the benches in the rain. Island School’s gracious hospitality and comfortable cafeteria with maximum capacity of 270 was fine for us for awhile but when 470 tried to attend and had to peer through the jalousies to see the program, we had to make a move to the Jasmine Ballroom at Kaua’i Beach Resort. Support from HTA made the added expense of the large ballroom space possible, but now…what to do? We have successed ourselves out of every available venue.
Thirty years ago I could count the musicians I knew on one hand so the late Kaleo Kakalia took on the task of recruiting Hawaiian musicians for EKK. He told me that Hawaiian music has many different styles so he wanted to show that in his choice of artists. This has stood me in good stead as over the years we have shared many different styles of Hawaiian music — oldtime favorites, song by famous composers, top of the line slack key artists, ukulele stars, incredible falsetto singers, authentic chanters, kumu hula and their halau, himeni, hakumele, rare Niihau music, backyard musicians, hapa-haole musicians, steel guitar, duos, trios, Waikiki-style entertainers, world style music, bluesy, jazzy, and almost rock — you name it, you got it. In addition to the weekly Mondays, we have sponsored numerous ground-breaking concerts for Kaua’i.

Note to Feb 25 ukulele gang: Anyone who wants the ukulele chords from Kamuela Kimokeo, email me to request it so you can step up your ukulele repertoire

* * * * *

Who’s Coming Up at the Final TWO Nights of EKK?

Monday, March 18, 2013, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
E Kanikapila Kakou “30 Years of EKK — One Long Hawaiian Kine Pardee”
Leokane Pryor & CJ Helekahi of Hana; Kaliko Beamer Trapp of Hawai’i Island,
joined by Kehaulani Kekua of Kaua’i plus added value of Mike Odo and Aikane Alapai

Monday, March 25, 2013, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
E Kanikapila Kakou “30 Years of EKK — One Long Hawaiian Kine Pardee”
The Fabulous ‘Ukulele Trio: Aldrine Guerrero, Kalei Gamiao, Taimane Gardner

If you have a disability and need assistance call Carol Yotsuda at (808) 245-2733 for Monday events.
Contact: Garden Island Arts Council, <giac@hawaiilink.net>
(s) Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, www.gardenislandarts.org — “Celebrating 36 years of bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS”
E Kanikapila Kakou 2013 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and the Garden Island Arts Council supporters with support from Kaua’i Beach Resort.
Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawai’i State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Jerry Santos Sweeps Kaua’i

Monday, MARCH 4, 2013

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.542578669116172.1073741826.173083409399035&type=1

Mahalo to Tashi for the great photos and putting up everything for our Facebook Friends

Message from Jerry Santos:
Aloha e Carol,
Sending you a big Mahalo for another wonderful experience at E Kanikapila Kakou.
It is wonderful to see how your hard work and dedication over the years has come to fruition.
I wish continued success and hope we can be a part of it again sometime in the future.
Please know your kindness and aloha is very much appreciated.
Ke Akua pu,
Jerry

Jerry Santos: All Time Favorite!

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! If that can apply to Hawaiian musicians and their songs, it definitely applies to Jerry Santos. Throngs flock to hear his music . . . as we found out at last EKK Monday. We were expecting many to show up but what we ended up with was waaaaaaay more than we bargained for. I got comments like: “Where are we moving to next? The Stadium?” “You should have had this in the Convention Hall!” In addition to the usual 150-plus EKK newbies who are sent each week by families and friends to not miss out on Kauai’s musical gem and the huge gang of nearly 300 EKK faithfuls who never miss a single Monday, we had an outpouring of new Kaua’i residents who, of course, know not to miss out on an evening with Jerry Santos because it it’s Hawaiian music they want, it’s Hawaiian music they will get.

Along with his super talented cousin Hoku Zuttermeister and his long-time favorite hula dancer Nalani Badua-Fernandes, Jerry put on a non-stop show of our favorite Hawaiian songs — too many to list but everything from old time party favorites, songs from ukulele and hula classes, songs learned from friends, to new songs that have been introduced to us by THIRTY YEARS OF HAWAIIAN COMPOSERS AND MUSICIANS (see history at end).

Yes! One would suppose that having been inundated by so many years of musical greats, musical neophytes, musical favorites in just about every style of Hawaiian music imaginable, we would all be so jaded about what we love about Hawaiian music….then along comes Jerry and his gang and we thrill at every musical moment shared with us.

Jerry’s voice is unmistakable and hard to describe, but if you hear it, you know it is Jerry. When he sings Song of the Year Come to Me Gently, it’s a chicken skin moment. Add to that the remarkable falsetto quality of young Hoku who knows every single song that Jerry throws out; he carries the verses in song as Jerry in his Portugee story-telling style translates the Hawaiian lyrics into English so we can all get the underlying meaning hidden in the songs. Then out on stage dances Nalani to put song into the graceful visual story-telling that we call hula. Such a combination was so mesmerizing that in spite of a record crowd packed into the Jasmine Ballroom, the place was hushed and calm to take in the magic of the moment and exploding into applause that was almost startling in its decibel.

One of Jerry’s favorite style of sharing songs of old Hawai’i is the rapid-fire round robin he calls “Hawaiian Music 101” as each artist tries to out-sing the other with song after song that has shaped Hawai’i — songs of the winds, the rains, and our connection to the land. I later asked Jerry, “Do you have a planned playlist to see what songs you guys will be singing in that portion of the show?” “That would take all the FUN out of it; tonight there was only two of us but you should see what it’s like when there are three to five of us and we are all trying to come up with another song when it’s our turn….that’s FUN!” Something to look forward to! You could see Hoku’s delight; he let out a huge laugh every time Jerry came up with his song. I love Kauai by his long-time friend Cindy Combs of Hanapepe is his song choice for the host island and also Nani Kaua’i to introduce the elegant hula stylings of Nalani.

New songs for old stories as captured in compositions by his cousin Frank Kawaikapu’okalani Hewett, fast becoming some of the most favored songs for hula dancers, were shared by Jerry and Hoku. Jerry’s story-telling which serves as time to tune his guitar is called “Portugese Curse” by Hoku and “Portuguese Blessing” by Jerry, but either way the songs without the life-lesson stories would be receiving only half the story since many of the lyrics are in Hawaiian. When you hear the translations to songs like Ka Pilina and ‘Akahikuleana A Ka Piko, the songs mean so much more and the hula motions are better understood. Don’t change that!

Hoku is the lucky recipient of several of Kawaikapu’s most beautiful songs, Ola’a Beauty being one that he recorded. He also sang a song by his grandmother hula master Emily Zuttermeister who for many years was one of the judges at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival. It is a song about the ‘Ilima blossom that represents the island of ‘Oahu. Interesting trivia here is that the naming of flowers to represent each island came about as a result of the early Aloha Week Festivals. Ya learn something new each time.

My Yellow Ginger Lei, the first hula I learned as a youth, is too often taken for granted until you hear someone like Hoku with his powerful falsetto singing it in Hawaiian. Another song that the duo captured in Hawaiian and was appreciated anew was Pupu Hinu Hinu (Pearly Shells), a beautiful melody too often deemed one of Don Ho’s song for the tourists. Over the years through discussions with some of Hawai’i’s best known musicians, I gathered that Don Ho is held in high regard by many of them as a multi-faceted pioneer and pillar in the world of Hawaiian music who has helped many young musicians.

Jerry shared the story of a song he wrote upon his visit to Portugal with KITV’s Pamela Young (Mixed Plate) — Through My Grandmother’s Eyes, a song about his Grandmother Freitas who for most of her life lived in Pakala, delivering all the babies in that frozen-in-time little plantation town on the westside of Kaua’i. She is also the Great-Grandmother of Hoku. Interesting post-performance discussion is that when one connects all the dots of who is related to who through marriage and relationships many times removed, I am kinda-sorta related to Jerry and Hoku. Only in Hawai’i.

Like so many of us who grew up as teenagers with parents who told us, “Don’t come home until the sun goes down,” Jerry was hungry to experience life on the continent and migrated to the mainland after he graduated from Kamehameha School, attended UH and Kapiolani Community College, and did the Honolulu nightclubs stint. One lonely night in San Francisco a voice in his head says, “An island boy belongs on an island.” His signature song of Ku’u Home O Kahalu’u, a unique blend of traditional Hawaiian music and contemporary rhythms, emerged out of this realization and is now considered a Hawaiian classic. This song must ring true for so many others who have grown up in Hawai’i, moved away to experience a larger rock, and returned to the islands with new-found appreciation for their home. Although many artists choose to sing that song, Jerry’s version is the real deal and very special.

The songs by Na Lani Eha, the four Hawaiian monarchs, form a rich repertoire of Hawaiian music that many love to sing. We were treated to some of the best known and best loved by Jerry and Hoku. E Ku’u Sweet Lei Poina ‘Ole penned and gifted to Robert Beaumont by Emma Alexandria K. De Fries, curator of the Queen Emma Summer Palace in the 1970’s, is about who we are as Hawaiians . . . inspired by circular clouds in the sky and laced together like petals in a flower lei. This song was taught to the ‘ukulele and hula groups and performed together as an impressive grand finale for the evening. All those dancers moving in unison on the stage and the brave ukulele players showing off to the whole audience; it was truly a heartfelt moment of everyone giving and receiving the gift of music and dance. What a wonderful magical evening!

Note to Feb 25 ukulele gang: Anyone who wants the ukulele chords from Kamuela Kimokeo, email me to request it so you can step up your ukulele repertoire

A BIT OF OUR 30-YEAR HISTORY:
We first started out in the nice warm carpeted cafeteria at KCC and when we got a record crowd of 100, the place was nicely packed; after Hurricane Iniki, we tried to make do in the crowded automotive classroom or the small music room but all that hermit-crab existence was a confusing challenge, so we moved to the Saint Michael’s parish hall which was fine for up to 125 people if some folks sat outside on the benches in the rain. Island School’s gracious hospitality and comfortable cafeteria with maximum capacity of 270 was fine for us for awhile but when 470 tried to attend and had to peer through the jalousies to see the program, we had to make a move to the Jasmine Ballroom at Kaua’i Beach Resort. Support from HTA made the added expense of the large ballroom space possible, but now…what to do? We have successed ourselves out of every available venue.
Thirty years ago I could count the musicians I knew on one hand so the late Kaleo Kakalia took on the task of recruiting Hawaiian musicians for EKK. He told me that Hawaiian music has many different styles so he wanted to show that in his choice of artists. This has stood me in good stead as over the years we have shared many different styles of Hawaiian music — oldtime favorites, song by famous composers, top of the line slack key artists, ukulele stars, incredible falsetto singers, authentic chanters, kumu hula and their halau, himeni, hakumele, rare Niihau music, backyard musicians, hapa-haole musicians, steel guitar, duos, trios, Waikiki-style entertainers, world style music, bluesy, jazzy, and almost rock — you name it, you got it. In addition to the weekly Mondays, we have sponsored numerous ground-breaking concerts for Kaua’i.
This coming week we have the rare opportunity to present a musical family with cute-as-a-button Quinn, statuesque Emily, the birthday boy Timi, along with manager Mom Lanet on the upright bass and dad Tim capturing it all on video. Come and meet them.

Who’s Coming Up Next at EKK?

Monday, March 11, 2013, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
E Kanikapila Kakou “30 Years of EKK — One Long Hawaiian Kine Pardee”
The Abrigo Family — Emily, Quinn, Timi, Lanette and Tim

If you have a disability and need assistance call Carol Yotsuda at (808) 245-2733 for Monday events.
Contact: Garden Island Arts Council, <giac@hawaiilink.net>
(s) Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, www.gardenislandarts.org — “Celebrating 36 years of bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS”
E Kanikapila Kakou 2013 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and the Garden Island Arts Council supporters with support from Kaua’i Beach Resort.
Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawai’i State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

I told you them guys was really hot!

Monday, February 25, 2013

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.538424369531602.120862.173083409399035&type=1

Mahalo to Tashi for the great photos and putting up everything for our Facebook Friends

Message from Kamuela Kimokeo:
Aloha Carol,
Mahalo again for Having Hiikua at EKK we had a great time. Please forward this to those at EKK who you have emails for. Also I forgot to mention that people can follow Hiikua on Facebook all they have to do is search Hiikua music and “like” it and they can be kept up to date as to where we are performing.

I know this may be a lot of information for many of you but I wish you all great happiness in playing the ukulele and understanding how to move your chords around will enable you to be more free in your playing and thus be more artistic in how you play. Good luck to all of you and I hope to see you all again. If any of you are free on March 8th and 9th I will be playing in Hanalei Kauai with Amy Hanaialii at Tahiti Nui. If you have any questions, I would love to answer them there. ALOHA
Kamuela Kimokeo

Note to ukulele gang: Anyone who wants the ukulele chords from Kamuela Kimokeo, email me to request it
so you can step up your ukulele repertoire

* * * * *
An email from Uncle Nathan Kalama:

aLOHA cAROL,
wHAT A WONDERFUL PROGRAM TONIGHT with such a talented group!! Their harmony was exquisite, their instrumentation impeccable and their banter was just hilarious!!! Great job. Looking forward to seeing my old friend Jerry Santos next week. Mahalo.
Once again thankyou for agreat evening.
N

* * * * *
An email from Larry Mayson of Canada:

HI CAROL

BIG CONGRATULATIONS ON 30 YEARS OF BEAUTIFUL KANIKAPILA

MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU AND FAMILY
ALOOOOHA – FROM LARRY MAYSON IN CANADA.

THE CONCERT WE DID TOGETHER ( HAWAIIAN LEGENDS ) WAS
ONE OF THE BEST DAYS OF MY LIFE – MAHALO AGAIN.

CHEERS! – LJM.
Hi’ikua Swept Us All Away

From the first strains of their remarkable harmony until the last strum of the guitar, the group Hi’ikua thrilled and mesmerized the audience with that special quality that makes it work them so memorable. Kamuela Kimokeo whose musical excellence as a teacher and a performer is rock solid and exciting at the same time; Kalehua Krug is startling at first sight with half his body tattooed from the top of his bald head to his pinky toes but when his beautiful falsetto voice pours out, he appears angelic; and Blake Leoki-Haili rounding out the three with the lower register just became a father.

What can be said about the music of the group Hi’ikua that would do them justice? They just have it all and you had to be there to experience the harmony they exuded, instrumental excellence that was top of the line, and edgy family-style banter between close friends that does not jeopardize their relationship . . . although several times they told the audience that this might be their last gig together . . . “Every gig could be our last,” said Kamuela as he ducked another verbal dart from Kalehua. Blake, the newest member of the group wisely said, “I never say anything.”

Leading off with a Kaua’i song, Nani Kaua’i, that showed off Kalehua’s clear and beautiful falsetto and Kamuela’s pa’ani on the slack key, they packed the first hour with songs written by Kalehua, old favorites with their original twist, and very special numbers such as the instrumental Night Riders in the Sky which brought the audience to their feet and Maunaloa Slack Key Live often called the Poi Song.

Kamuela describes Kalehua’s ability to compose songs “like crazy . . . very naturally” and that his songs can be dated by the lyrics. A Little Bit of Sweetness is a song that he wrote in high school, but when they sang it, the simple lyrics and zesty melody was recognizable as a song that we hear often. Ka’ena Medley is another zesty song whereas Tutu Aloha is an exquisite harmony about his grandmother who is metaphorically the Apapane bird, He Aloha No ‘O Halawa about the different winds on Molokai is a very complex song which he chose to teach the ‘ukulele circle. He chose that song so he could share with them the musical concept that would allow them to move from one chord structure to another and be free to play whatever they wanted. I listened in and wished that I was a bit more ‘ukulele akamai to be able to appreciate his wonderful teaching skills.

Hi’ikua puts their own special twist on well known songs like Koke’e by Dennis Kamakahi and Ka Pili Oha by Hui O Hana. Kamuela says that anything Hui O Hana touches is “gold” so they hesitated about singing this song about lasting friendship. But they did anyway and their version was memorable as was every song they sang — E Ku’u Morning Dew by Larry Kimura and Eddie Kamae, Maddy Lam’s Pua Ahihi to honor the musicians that came before them and He Aloha Makamae.

Kamuela mentioned the Harlem Globe Trotters and Sweet Georgia Brown which turned out to be Jus’ Press made famous by Ledward Kaapana; Kamuela brought the house down with his rendition as he played his guitar with the mic stand, with his shoes, with his socked foot, with his elbows, with his dark glasses, with his teeth and with his palm on the fret board; he said his wife got mad at him for cracking his tooth on this song.

Ku’u Hoa Hi’ikua is their signature song which was written by Kalehua at a time when his father was dying of cancer. What a beautiful way to wrap up an evening of the best of Hawaiian music.

There are only four more Mondays left so don’t be left out in the cold; hele on to the Kauai Beach Resort to experience the celebration of Thirty Years of EKK!!!
Who’s Coming Up Next at EKK?

Monday, February 25, 2013, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
E Kanikapila Kakou “30 Years of EKK — One Long Hawaiian Kine Pardee”
Jerry Santos, Hoku Zuttermeister, Nalani Badua-Fernandes

If you have a disability and need assistance call Carol Yotsuda at (808) 245-2733 for Monday events.
Contact: Garden Island Arts Council, <giac@hawaiilink.net>
(s) Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, www.gardenislandarts.org — “Celebrating 36 years of bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS”
E Kanikapila Kakou 2013 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and the Garden Island Arts Council supporters with support from Kaua’i Beach Resort.
Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawai’i State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

This is what Kanikapila is all about!

Monday, February 18, 2013

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.535750819798957.120457.173083409399035&type=3

Mahalo to Tashi for the great photos and putting up everything for our Facebook Friends

“This is what Kanikapila is all about!”
That was the comment that came my way all evening long as the Fabulous Four Kumu Hula of Kaua’i took to the stage in front of a record crowd of over 500 party animals for EKK Monday.
What do you expect when you are able to corral four consummate party planners under one roof from their busy schedule of prancing all over the world sharing the aloha of Hawaiian music and dance to their loyal haumana in many different countries. We asked for a pardee and a pardee we got as they put the audience through the interactive paces of singing, dancing, and laughing all night long to their verbal antics, their hilarious family-style bantering, their explosive personalities, their incredible combined talents and their truly genuine style of creating the aloha atmosphere.
Stand up! Sit down! Turn left and ask for peanut butter cookies, sing along, clap, dance the hula, play the ukulele, sing along again…whatever they asked the audience did. It was just like being at a backyard party at Nathan Kalama’s home except that it was a huge crowd in the ballroom at Kaua’i Beach Resort. What fun!

* * * * *
A mahalo email from Uncle Nathan Kalama:

Aloha e Carol,
On behalf of the four of us, Hui O Kalamaola, I would like to express our aloha and gratitude for the opportunity for us to celebrate in the 30th year of EKK.,,,”Kaua’i Style”. Somehow, despite us not being able to meet discuss and rehearse, it all seemed to have worked out….whew. Personally, I was nervous for 3 days before the event and was dressed 2 hours before pick up…needed some quiet time to breathe deeply and get my nerves under control.

Somehow when the evening began at 6pm, I could feel the energy rising in the room and it gave positive and powerful fuel to the four of us…this was going to be a “Kaua’i Kakou” evening. As the audience embraced us, it became easier to share as we “connected”…it was wonderfully magical” for us. One of the thrill and highlight of the evening for us was to recognize all Kaua’i kumu hula and their haumana and see them dance together….”Kaua’i Style.” One of several magical moments of the evening. Another thrill was to see so many local people come to support the program that evening…and also the total amount that attended…that was a mindblower for us…all due to your excellent advertising.!! Mahalo nui loa.

Congratulations once again on the success of EKK…what an accomplishment…done in the true “Kaua’i Style”.
Ke aaloha nui,
Nathan Kalama, President
Hui O Kalamaola
This is what Kanikapila is all about!

One does not reach “thirty years” every year so when you do, it is time to celebrate and that is exactly what the four Kaua’i Kumu Hula did with all their combined energies, their wonderful and talented friends and haumana; the audience of old and the audience of new were loving it even when they had to stand for lack of chairs or sit on the floor to get closer to all the action.

Nathan opens with “We don’t know what we are going to do” in a voice that was quiet and almost faint. But as he began to feel the electric vibes of the hungry-for-a-pardee audience, almost like a switch was turned on, Nathan came alive and started the ball rolling as only Nathan can. You can tell when he’s “on” because he starts ordering people around…and the funny part is that everybody loves it.

As always he is gracious and generous in acknowledgements and called upon Iwalani Herrod to present me with a precious maile lei as he told the story of how EKK came to be thirty years old; it was a story in a nutshell but important for everyone who was new to EKK. Each week many new faces show up as they indicate in their sign up sheet that they heard about EKK “in church, from the hotel maid, from our favorite hotel concierge Jane Kiilau, from the school librarian, from a lady on the airplane, and from the ‘Thirty Years of EKK’ window display in the Lihu’e airport.” Even before they set foot on the island, visitors are ready to experience one of Kaua’i’s little cultural gems and worst kept secret.

For two hours they packed it all in with audience singing, ukulele circle showing off the songs they learned from Nathan and from Puna Dawson. Nathan’s song was inspired by his “best ever” trip to Bondensee, Germany and captured the essence of a ten-day tour in a song about the first two days. It was fun to hear their impression of the wonderful German hospitality which they did not expect but received. They even introduced some of their hosts from Germany who were present at EKK. There is something wonderful about a whole auditorium of over 500 voices singing a song together.

Puna Dawson’s wonderfully melodic song about Koke’e called Aka Aka Awa was the product of the GIAC-sponsored Koke’e Songwriters Camp and the way that Kenneth Makuakane taught them to write a song with random numbers. I tried the same but my song did not turn out anything even close to Puna’s. Maybe it was just the way her beautiful voice made the song come alive. Whatever her magic, she really showed that she has it.

Doric Yaris whose “little hula workshop” expanded into the largest hula lesson in one corner of the ballroom. We had to move two whole rows of chairs out of the way and it was still too crowded for the nearly 75 dancers who went up to learn the hula; it was a song from Niihau about picking the Kahelelani shells and dancing with lovely lei pupu sung by Kaui Kitashima.The big surprise was that Doric joined the hula dancers in an unexpected demonstration of hula. After the hula he was calling out “oxygen! oxygen!” but he showed that he still had the “ami” in his hula moves.

Maka Herrod represented his own halau by dancing Ku’uhoa; he was joined by Lady Ipo Kahauna’ele and his lovely wife Iwalani. Maka is always a whole show in himself, especially when he dances the hula, but you could tell from the shouts that the audience was loving it.

Recognizing all the kumu hulas on the island by calling up dancers to represent their halau was a first time happening and it was truly wonderful to see so many dancers, each with their own halau style, dancing Hanalei Moon to the beautiful vocals of Sarah Peters.

During the second half, each Kumu had their halau share their dances. Jan Ken Po by one rep from each halau determined which Kumu Hula presented first. What a dazzling show of talent followed. Hula were coming at you fast and furious with some halau doing tag team on some of the dances just so they could fit their program into the allotted time. Maka’s dancers danced Lei Hulu which was a gift from Nathan to Paulette for the gift of a lei hulu which was presented to Nathan. Special guest Lady Ipo accompanied by her first cousin Kaui Kitashima sang Teresa Bright’s U’e’he Ami and Slide which Teresa composed on a napkin in Tahiti Nui decades ago.

Doric’s dancers, always looking spiffy in their hula outfits, danced Lei Ho’oheno by Kainani Kahaunaele and Hokule’a. Nathan’s kupuna dancers in blue and purple holoku are always a treat. His surprise was his secret weapon guest from O’ahu, his lovely sister, who stole the show with her beauty and grace when they traveled to Europe and stole the show this evening.

Puna’s dancers from Germany, Japan, Kauai with the most elegant and moving hula and music
was the perfect last group as their hula, Perfection of Peace, reined in all the excitement and hullabaloo into a quiet and introspective appreciation of how hula can bring people from all over the world into one unified community. That was the feeling as the evening, all to soon, wound down…we all shared a feeling of community. That is what Kanikapila is all about.
Who’s Coming Up Next at EKK?

Monday, February 25, 2013, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
E Kanikapila Kakou “30 Years of EKK — One Long Hawaiian Kine Pardee”
Hi’ikua – Award winning trio with wonderful harmonies
Kamuela Kimokeo, Kalehua Krug, Blake Leoki-Haili

If you have a disability and need assistance call Carol Yotsuda at (808) 245-2733 for Monday events.
Contact: Garden Island Arts Council, <giac@hawaiilink.net>
(s) Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, www.gardenislandarts.org — “Celebrating 36 years of bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS”
E Kanikapila Kakou 2013 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and the Garden Island Arts Council supporters with support from Kaua’i Beach Resort.
Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawai’i State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Multi-faceted EKK Brings Joy to Many.

Monday, February 11, 2013

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.533141756726530.120142.173083409399035&type=1

Mahalo to Tashi for the great photos and putting up everything for our Facebook Friends

When I was booking travel for the Lindsey father and son team known as Mele’uhane, Keikilani informed me that they did not have any frequent flier number because they rarely leave the island of Hawai’i. Coming for EKK was going to be only their second visit to Kaua’i. Making up for loss time or making the most of the opportunity, this man of action not only agreed to do his musical presentation at EKK with his son Leo, he also requested adding his Kumu Keoni Atkinson to the program and Keoni in turn brought his youngest daughter who was a bright gem with her beauty, hula, hawaiian ‘olelo and her chanting of Pale Hua. Keikilani expressed interest in recording his music while on Kaua’i, so I suggested several sound studios and he made arrangements to stay on Kaua’i longer to work with Ron Pendragon on his CD recording. When I asked if he would consider adding some visits to schools as part of my other wonderful GIAC program called Van Go! which takes art experiences to communities; he agreed enthusiastically. I scheduled him for a morning visit to Ke Kula Niihua o Kekaha and an afternoon visit to Kapa’a Middle School where Mary Lardizabal carries out a fantastic music program.

As is often the case, he who gives freely receives more in return and it appears this is what exactly happened during the week as the following written responses show from those involved in the cultural exchanges:

* * * * *

Aloha mai Carol,
I cannot thank you enough for your goodness. This was my second trip to Kaua’i…and again it was magical. It feels so much like home to me and the spirited people of Kaua’i are the most genuine I know.

We were so honored to be asked to join in the party at E Kanikapila Kakou 2013. And we were humbled by the large turn-out of attendees. What an awesome concept, to kanikapila with the crowd. I truly loved working with my friends in the ‘ukulele circle and could have gone for another two hours with them. They were so delighted to learn and I was thrilled to find them very adept with their instumentation. It made time for many smiles:)

Our cross-island trip, on Tuesday, brought us first to the beautiful souls at Ke Kula Ni’ihau o Kekaha. We were introduced to the entire student and staff body in their state-of-the-art A/V production studio, in an up close and personal time of sharing. We shared stories and mele, and illustrated the importance of crafting emotions and sharing it with the world. Whatever your passion is, music-dance-art-poetry, use it as a vehicle to “holo mua”, move forward. Just before our departure, we were blessed by their makana and gifted a vocal performance in a capella by a trio of their students. We will always remember our friends in Kekaha.

Greeted by a clear view of Ni’ihau in the distance, we took to the road again and journeyed to Kapa’a Middle School. Happy to share our stories and mele with Mary Lardizabal’s award-winning chorus class, we were even more pleased to be serenaded by them. To see young people so passionate about music has always touched me…to see them excel at it, is a truly beautiful thing to behold. We will always feel like honorary members. Mahalo to our new friends in Kapa’a, and good luck in competition. Onipa’a.

Our lives will be forever changed from our adventures on Kaua’i. From the EKK concert to our spiritual rebirth at Ka pa hula o Laka, we have been blessed to find new friends and new inspirations to carry on. Mahalo Carol and mahalo to the Garden Isle Arts Council for your malama. And mahalo Kaua’i…we love you. A hui hou.

Keikilani Lindsey / meleuhane.com

In an earlier email from Keikilani about his Kumu Keoni Atkinson:

Such an amazing, spiritual trip. Keoni experienced a rebirth when we visited Laka’s hula platform. And we went on to an exceptional recording session. The album is already amazing.

Mahalo Carol,
Keikilani

* * * * *
Aloha e Carol
How is it possible to capture what happened that day using mere words? How can I describe the emotions of the moment that brought tears to our eyes when we learned the story of why a fish and bird must always live in two separate places like a chief and a commoner. How also do I describe the space when time stood still as music, story and dance captured our imaginations and we were standing in the falls of Hiilawe? It was a most magical experience. Me ke aloha
Haunani Seward, Principal, Ke Kula Niihau o Kekaha

When I met two of my favorite Ke Kula Niihau students at Leina’ala’s concert with Kuana Torres, I asked them how they enjoyed the music and stories of the Lindsey’s and Atkinson’s. Austin glowed with praise with his colorful vocabulary and Kalani whipped out his I-phone and promptly shared his photos taken the day of the visit. They gave me a blow-by-blow description of the morning. I believe they loved it….especially Keikilani’s Wolverine-like side burns.

* * * * *
Mele’uhane – Songs of the Spirit

Callers asking about EKK often want to know exactly what they will get at E Kanikapila Kakou; my usual answer is “expect the unexpected” because I never know what any artist will present, and that is the excitement and beauty of our weekly EKK Mondays. I really believe that it is this unknown element that has kept EKK fresh and exciting for thirty years. The evening with Lindsay Keikilani Lindsey Jr. and his son Lindsay Leopold Lindsey III was exactly that.

Blessed with a clear pure voice that borders on falsetto, Keikilani shared their own songs such as Mahana and Pua Alo written in collaboration with Kumu Keoni Atkinson who has that soulful story-telling voice that translated the Hawaiian into English. Moved by the whole experience of sharing with such a large and appreciative audience, Keoni was constantly wiping his tears away. So in tune with hula is his body that even as he spoke his hands were in motion and he swayed sensuously. During one song he even played his “air ‘ukulele” instead of dancing.

His lovely daughter Lilinoe, stunning in red with giant flowers bursting out of her coif, greeted the audience with her fluent ‘olelo, talking about her early education as a student in a Hawaiian charter school. She dances beautifully, but when she began to chant-sing the words to the Pale Hua so the brave souls taught by Keoni could dance for the audience, it was really a chicken skin experience.

Young Leo with his alabaster complexion and the face of an angel looks like a growing boy who has not reached his full physical stature but will be a little giant when he does. He showed up with his many electrical guitars lined up for different songs and even the sound of singing whales. His young friend from Maui, Logan Anderson, showed up with an entire drum set which actually enhanced the spiritual music without the usual overpowering percussion. For one of the songs Leo took over the drum set to show his first love in music; he’s come a long way since he demolished his first drum set at age six. Rounding out the musical team was our own Jonah Cummings on bass; it always amazes me when musicians show up with little or no rehearsal and can just strike up the music with the rest of the gang. They sang well-known Hawaiian numbers such as Hanohano Hanalei, Hi’ilawe and Kohala, but the delivery was really quite different from what one would hear at a Hawaiian backyard jam.

So packed was their line-up of songs that Keikilani said he would forego the usual intermission and powered through for his full two hours. But he made sure that the ‘ukulele circle could go up and share Akaka Falls by Aunty Helen Lindsey Parker who also penned Mauna Loa. The stories enriched the understanding of the songs — about the colors of rainbow in Pua Alo or hibiscus, about the rains that wrap around the island in Kohala, about Aunty Helen’s image that appears in Akaka Falls, about the chief who fell in love with one of the lower wives of another chief and took her to Molokai, and about lovers who met in their dreams and listen to the sweet singing shells of Waipio Valley.

Too soon the magical evening comes to an end but the experience lives on.

Who’s Coming Up Next at EKK?

Monday, February 18, 2013, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
E Kanikapila Kakou “30 Years of EKK — One Long Hawaiian Kine Pardee”
Hui O Kalama’ola featuring the Fabulous Four Kaua’i Kumu Hula
Doric Yaris, Maka Herrod, Nathan Kalama, Puna Dawson
(believe it or not, they are all on island at the same time to bring this celebration to you!)

If you have a disability and need assistance call Carol Yotsuda at (808) 245-2733 for Monday events.
Contact: Garden Island Arts Council, <giac@hawaiilink.net>
(s) Carol Kouchi Yotsuda, www.gardenislandarts.org — “Celebrating 36 years of bringing ARTS to the people and people to the ARTS”
E Kanikapila Kakou 2013 Hawaiian Music Program is funded in part by the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the County of Kaua’i Office of Economic Development, and the Garden Island Arts Council supporters with support from Kaua’i Beach Resort.
Garden Island Arts Council programs are supported in part by the State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the Hawai’i State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“30 Years of EKK — One Long Hawaiian Kine Pardee”

Celebrating 30 Years of Bringing the Best of Hawaiian Music to You

Friday, Jan 25 – Keali’i Reichel (concert); show time 7:00 pm

All other EKK events are on Mondays

Jan 21 – Keale, LT Smooth, Donald Kaulia (Let the Celebration Begin!)

Jan 28 – Aunty Bev Muraoka and Her Gang (The Queen of Chalangalang at Kauai Pardee Central)

Feb 4 – Bobby Moderow Jr – leader of Maunalua (Smashing Solo)

Feb 11 – “Mele’uhane” – Lindsay Keikilani Lindsey Jr & Son Lindsay Lindsey III 

(Father Son duo from Hawaii Island

Feb 18 — “Hui O Kalama’ola”  – Doric Yaris , Maka Herrod, Nathan Kalama, Puna Dawson (The Fabulous Four Kaua’i Kumu)

Feb 25 – “Hi’ikua” – Kamuela Kimokeo, Kalehua Krug, Blake Leoki-Haili (HOT trio)  (HYPERLINK “http://hiikua.com/”http://hiikua.com/)

March 4 – Jerry Santos & Friends (Wow!  Our Pardee Favorite!)

March 11 – Abrigo Family Trio – Timi, Emily, Quinn & Lanet
(Super Young and Talented!)

March 18 – Leokane Pryor & CJ Helekahi with Kaliko Beamer Trapp
(Don’t miss this great combo!)

March 25 – Ukulele Trio (Surprise! Surprise!)

EVERYTHING WILL BE AT THE KAUAI BEACH RESORT, Nukoli’i between the Airport and the Wailua Golf Course.6:00 – 9:00 pm