April 22, 2009

Aloha kakou!

In today's newsletter:

• This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Aunty May Kamai


• This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis (TV version) - compilation show!


• Big weekend for O'ahu acitivities


• Augie T coming to the Bay Area (CA)? ... and other mainland cities

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This week's guest on Pakele Live! is Aunty May Kamai, who is celebrating the recent release of her CD, "Aunty May's Hula Favorites."

John Berger's review in the Honolulu Star Bulletin says it best:

"This album of traditional Hawaiian music is a delightful collection of standards performed hula-style -- with no instrumental breaks -- by "Aunty May" Kamai and an all-star trio: producer William "Baba" Alimoot (bass and ukulele), Dwight Kanae (guitar and ukulele), and Casey Olsen (steel guitar).

"Kamai and the guys set the mood with the first verse of their opening number, "Kaulana Moloka'i," and maintain it throughout the eleven songs that follow. Kamai's soprano vocals are smoothly supported by the high harmonies of the trio, while Olsen embellishes the strummed melodies with the sweetness of steel guitar.
But in keeping with tradition, the arrangements are first and foremost about the voices and the all-important lyrics. Hula does not exist without lyrics in one language or another.

"E Huli Makou," "Ipo Hula" and "Mauna Loa" are among the classics revived and freshly interpreted here.

"At a time when all too many "new" Hawaiian CDs are re-issues of beloved vintage recordings, it is wonderful to have new versions of these evergreens -- for use by hula dancers, and simply for their beauty.

"Hula Records has set a high standard over the years with its liner notes, and producer Alimoot maintains that tradition by including English translations and cultural information. "

I hadn't yet received word (by press time) if Baba, Dwight, and Casey will be joining Aunty for her Pakele appearance, but fingers crossed!

Please join us Thursday, April 23 from 6-8pm HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). It's free, and there's free parking next door at the Ala Moana shopping center. Drinks and pupus are available for purchase.

Those who can't be there in person can watch live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/

Japan viewers can watch at: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/

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This week marks the season finale for Pakele Live! w/Tony Solis (TV version) on OC 16. A compilation show featuring comedian Rodney Villanueva, Camile Velasco, Kumu Ina & Kawaianuhea Lehua, Ryan Tang & the Waikiki Sons, and the Abrigo Ohana, it begins airing Weds. 4/22 at 7 pm HST, and will continue throughout the coming week. You can also watch online on the OC 16 website.

Following this week's show, reruns will air for 12-13 weeks - then the new season will begin!

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Lots going on on O'ahu this weekend! In the last newsletter I mentioned the "Grow Hawaiian" Festival, but we also have Spam Jam, an event at Kualoa Ranch, and more! But I'll limit this to just these two:

The annual Spam Jam celebration takes place from 4-10 p.m. Saturday in Waikiki. Here are the musical guests scheduled to perform:

Outrigger Waikiki Hotel Stage
(Located in the front of the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel)

5-5:30 pm Ilona (Irvine)
5:45-6:15 pm Herb Ohta, Jr.
6:30-7 pm Kuhai Halau O Kahalepuna Pa Olapa Kahiko
7:15-7:45 pm Typical Youth
8-8:45 pm Beach 5
9-10 pm Kapena

Royal Hawaiian Center Stage
Located in the front of C BLDG (Tourneau/ Marciano) of Royal Hawaiian Center

5:00 pm Halau Olapa Ku`ikali`I `o Hokuaulani
6:00 pm Pilioha
7:20 pm Kaukahi
8:40 pm John Cruz

(I'm going to be running back and forth between the two stages... sigh!) ;)

For more information, go the the Spam Jam website.

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Kumu hula Mary Kupau Mikaele and her Kuhai Halau O Kahealani Pa ‘Olapa Kahiko will present their 10th annual Ho’okupu Aloha (gift of love) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday April 25 at Kualoa Ranch.

“Kupa’a Ke Aloha” will offer craft booths, food and entertainment by Jerry Santos, Holunape, Hoku Zuttermeister, Kekoa Kane, Ho’omaika’i Hula Studio, Na ‘Opio O Ko’olau, Hula Halau O Kawaianuhealehua and Kuhai Halau O Kahealani Pa ‘Olapa Kahiko.

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Comedian Augie T. (Tulba) posted a teaser on Twitter this morning announcing that he may be heading to Cobbs Comedy Club in San Francisco. No details yet, but watch his website for info!

He has plans to be in other mainland cities throughout the year as well, including Las Vegas, San Diego, Portland, Hayward, Sacramento, etc.

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Pau for now! Stay tuned for the next newsletter - it will have info about the new solo releases from Eric Lee (of Na Kama), and David Kamakahi (and a CD release party for David)!

E malama pono a hui hou!