August 25, 2009

Aloha kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Guitars Stolen on O’ahu
• This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis (OC16 TV) – Steven Espaniola
• This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Danny Carvalho and Ke Kauoha the Jazz Band
• Canoe Club Paddle and Lu’au – Ithaca, NY
• Mai Tai Celebration – Oakland, CA
• Kalama Heritage Festival – WA
• Kuo, Mahi, Pahinui and Ingano – Whittier, CA
• “Na Ali’i: Hawaiian Monarchy” – Hollywood, CA
• Ho’ike – Davis, CA
• Amy Hanaiali’i – O’ahu
• Willie K – O’ahu
• Benitez and Moke Boy, (Grieg) Makua, Pahinui, Moon Jr. – Waikiki
• Sean Na`auao – Big Island
• Chris Yeaton – Kaua’i
• Ku`uipo Kumukahi – O’ahu
• O'Brian Eselu – O’ahu
• Pilioha – O’ahu

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Yet another Hawaiian musician has had his guitars stolen. On Sunday evening (Aug. 23), thieves broke into the Aina Haina home of Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner (and Pakele Live! creator) Pali Ka’aihue. Among the items stolen were two custom-made Taylor DDSM Doyle Dykes Signature Model acoustic guitars, both black. The headstock on each guitar contains has a pearl inlay rose. These guitars are unique – only available directly from the Taylor factory or through a few very high-end stores on the mainland. Pali knows of only two other musicians in Hawai’i who have guitars like them (although there could be others). Here are photos.

In addition to the guitars, the thieves made off with Pro-digital video camera equipment used in filming his “Doko Ga” TV show, a Canon EOS DSLR camera & related equipment, various electronics (including a computer), and cash.

If you have any information that could lead to the recovery of these items (particularly the guitars), please contact the Honolulu Police Department.
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Beginning Wednesday (Aug. 26) on OC16 TV and online, Pakele Live! with Tony Solis features Hawai’i Music Award winner Steven Espaniola. As I mentioned in the last newsletter, due to technical problems with the company that houses our lines and server, Steven’s live performance in February was seen by only a handful of people online.

The show will begin airing August 26 at 7 pm, and will continue to air daily (at different times – check the schedule online) for one week.

Speaking of Steven, there are still some slots open for his ‘ukulele class and the kanikapila that takes place tomorrow in the Chicago area, although Thursday’s concert is all but sold out. For information call (847) 795-8454 or visit the Tiki Terrace website.

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This week’s guests on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis are Danny Carvalho (6-6:20 pm) and Ke Kauoha the Jazz Project (6:30 -8pm).

18 year old slack key guitarist Danny Carvalho started playing guitar at age 9. He learned his first songs from his parents (his mom was a student of Walter Carvalho and Raymond Kane). He then became a student of Ozzie Kotani, who taught Danny in the traditional style of “watch and learn,” and who adapted his teaching methods to suit Danny’s unique learning style. Ozzie also introduced Danny to a broad range of ki ho‘alu techniques and stylings by various masters, and later guided him in the development of his own style. Danny also learned a great deal by watching videos of slack key festivals and commercial tapes by Ledward Kaapana and Raymond Kane. He’s currently studying with Dennis Kamakahi, who has added vocals to Danny’s repertoire.

Danny also composes, having written his first song at age 10! In 2004 he became the first slack key artist to play ki ho’alu on National Public Radio’s nationwide music program “From the Top.” (His performance was included on their CD “From The Top - Volume Three.”) He released his first CD “Slack Key Journey • On My Way” in 2006, and was nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano Award for Most Promising New Artist. Also in 2006, Danny played on Garrison Keillor’s program “A Prairie Home Companion,” which is broadcast live nationwide. Danny released his second CD “Somewhere” in 2008, and received another Na Hoku Hanohano Award nomination – this time in the Slack Key category. He plays at slack key festivals throughout Hawai’i, and has also performed with artists such as Ozzie Kotani, Makana, and Dennis Kamakahi. He most recently performed as both a solo artist and with an all-star group consisting of John Cruz, Walt Keale, LT Smooth and Stephen Inglis at the 2009 O’ahu Slack Key Festival.

Ke Kauoha the Jazz Project was co-founded in early 2009 by Kapono Na’ili’ili and Halehaku Seabury. They have since been joined by Ioane Burns. The band specializes in traditional Hawaiian music set to jazz arrangements – their songs combine the elegance of Hawaiian music with the bold improvisations of jazz. (Regular viewers of Pakele Live may remember seeing them when they performed at the CD release party for Jeff Teves in June. Photo at left was taken at that party by Malia Zuttermeister.)

Kapono, a UH graduate with a degree in Hawaiian Language, is a full time musician who performs a wide variety of musical genres, from traditional Hawaiian to contemporary soul, R&B, and jazz. He also teaches music part time at a local elementary school. Kapono has expertise playing a number of instruments, including electric and acoustic upright bass, electric and acoustic guitar, ‘ukulele and drums. In 2007 he won Maui’s Aloha Week Falsetto Contest, and in 2008 he was the lead guitarist in the quintet for the Hawai’i Calls concert at the Hawai’i Theatre. That same year, he also formed a band called The KN Orchestra, which specializes in R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Top 40. His extensive experience in both the Hawaiian and contemporary music scenes have contributed to and further cemented his desire to create music that reflects himself and his influences – thus , the creation of Ke Kauoha the Jazz Project.

Hale, who grew up in a musical family, is a vocalist who plays both guitar and ‘ukulele. He began playing ‘ukulele at age 7, and just three years later was playing alongside his father in the band “Kolonahe.” He fell in love with the guitar in 1998 after seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan on Austin City Limits, and within a year he had joined his school’s worship band and was playing guitar incessantly. Another major influence was the work of jazz/rock fusion guitarist John McLaughlin with the Mahavishnu Orchestra. In 2002 he began delving into jazz (within the confines of Hawaiian music) with his own band, Na Hoa, while playing in clubs around Honolulu, but felt there was limited spontaneity and improvisational feeling. His musical focus changed a number of times, but he found the works of artists such as Albert Ka‘ailau with the Kahauanu Lake Trio and realized there was room for both jazz and Hawaiian music.

To many, Ioane may be the most well-known member of the group. He has traveled the world singing and playing stand-up bass with multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner Hoku Zuttermeister. Ioane was surrounded with music and entertainment almost from birth – his parents met at BYU Hawaii and both performed at Polynesian Cultural Center, and growing up around Polynesian musicians gave him an appreciation of both cultural music and the hard work that goes into it. As a junior at Kamehameha Schools, he took a beginning guitar class to fulfill a mandatory performing arts credit, and there developed a love for producing his own music. He was also a member of the Concert Glee Club, learning from people like Randie Fong, Les Ceballos and Dale Noble. He performed at countless prestigious events for delegates of the world and was himself a delegate representing Hawaii. He also learned to play upright bass while in high school, and joined the group “Kana’e.” The original group started with four, but eventually became a duo with Ioane…and Hoku Zuttermeister! As the newest member of Ke Kauoha the Jazz Project, Ioane hopes to expand his traditional Hawaiian music roots with an added contemporary twist. (Don’t worry – he still performs with Hoku as well.)

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! this Thursday, August 27, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). It’s free, all ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Drinks are available for purchase, although the hotel no longer serves food.

You may also watch live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
Those in Japan can watch at: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/

You may email the show at pakele@lava.net – mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!
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Lots of “Hawaiian Events” happening all over the country this weekend! A sampling:

The Cayuga Outrigger Canoe Club of Ithaca, NY, is holding a lu’au at 3 pm on Sat. Aug 29 at Stewart Park. The luau, which is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ithaca-Cayuga, will top off the club’s first annual “Cayuga Ho’e” – a seven-hour, 39-mile paddle from Cayuga Lake State Park in Seneca Falls to Stewart Park. Lu’au dinner tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, and are available online and from Cayuga OCC and Kiwanis members.
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The mai tai, which was originally created by Victor "Trader Vic" Bergeron in 1944 at his tiki lounge in Oakland, CA (the original Trader Vic's), will become Oakland’s official drink Sunday with a proclamation by Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan. A ceremony will be held at the Conga Lounge (5422 College Ave.), which launched the campaign to recognize the mai tai's origin. The festivities will take place from 5 to 10 pm, and will feature $5 mai tais, hula dancers, vintage exotica tunes, classic Hawaiian music and free appetizers. Read the “Real Mai Tai Story” here.

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The 5th Annual Kalama Heritage Festival takes place August 28-30 at the Port of Kalama (WA). There will be Indian and Hawaiian drumming, hula shows, arts & crafts, demonstrations in Hawaiian & Native American culture, and a lu’au/buffet with traditional Hawaiian foods and entertainment provided by Cyril Pahinui and Keahi Conjugacion, followed by a concert with the Makaha Sons. The festival itself is free, but there is a fee for the lu’au and concert. Click here to purchase lu’au and concert tickets, and here for festival information.
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George Kuo, Aaron Mahi, Martin Pahinui and Bobby Ingano will continue their CA tour at Whittier College’s Shannon Center on Saturday, August 29 with performances at 3 pm and 8 pm. There are only a few seats left for each performance!
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Also on Saturday (8/29), the Ke Po’okela Cultural Foundation presents Kilohana Dance Company in a two-act production entitled “Na Ali’i: Hawaiian Monarchy,” featuring music by Ho’okena and narration by Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakane. The historical voyage begins with the first king, Kamehameha, then moves through seven reigning emissaries and ends with the last, Queen Lili’uokalani, who relinquished her reign while under duress and imprisonment. The story’s inspiration is derived from ancient chants (mele), hymns of adoration and modern songs laced with double entendre (kaona).

This event takes place at 8:30 pm at the Ford Amphitheater in Hollywood, CA. Click here to purchase tickets.
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Halau Ka Waikahe Lani Malie and Halau Kahulaliwai, under the direction of Kumu Hula Juni Kalahikiola Romuar, present their 10th anniversary ho’ike, “Kaha Wai – Rivers of Knowledge,” in Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center (UC Davis campus) on Saturday Aug. 29 at 7 pm. Music will be provided by Kekaniwai. Tickets are $25.







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And here are a few of the events happening in Hawai’i this weekend:



Amy Hanaiali’i will do a free “Costco tour” on O’ahu in support of her new album “Friends and Family of Hawai’i.” On Saturday she’ll be at Iwilei Costco from 12 noon to 1:30, and at Mililani Costco from 2 to 3:30. On Sunday she’ll be at the Hawai’i Kai Costco from noon until 1 pm.



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Willie K will do a free concert at 5:30 pm on Saturday Aug. 29 in the Hawai’i Kai Towne Center
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Darren Benitez and Moke Boy, Napua (Grieg) Makua, and Cyril Pahinui with Peter Moon Jr. will perform at the Hawaiian 105 KINE Lu’au at the Waikiki Aquarium on Saturday, beginning at 6 pm. Tickets are $60 per person (includes lu’au, show, beer and wine).
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Sean Na`auao will do a free concert at 6:30 pm on Saturday at Keauhou Shopping Center in Keauhou (Big Island).
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Slack key guitarist Chris Yeaton will be in concert at 6:30 pm on Saturday at Hale Halewai Community Center in Hanalei (Kaua’i). Tickets are $15 at the door. See him playing Opihi Moemoe with Bolo in this video.(Chris is on the right.)
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Ku`uipo Kumukahi will be the guest artist Saturday at the free weekly Summer Concert Series at the Pilila`au Army Rec Center in Wai`anae (O’ahu). The concert starts at 7 pm
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O'Brian Eselu performs free at 4 pm on Sunday (Aug. 30) as part of the Na Mele No Na Pua concert series, held on the Grand Lanai at Embassy Suites in Waikiki.
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Pilioha is the special guest at the free “Sunday Showcase” at Waikiki Beach Walk at 5 pm. On Sunday. (duh) :)
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Pau for now - e malama pono a hui hou!

August 18, 2009

Aloha kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Side Order Band and Mailani
• Steven Espaniola – Chicago area
• Made In Hawai’i Festival – O’ahu
• Makaha Sons Mahalo Concert – O’ahu
• Holunape – O’ahu
• George Kahumoku, Jr. – Watsonville, CA
• Herb Ohta, Jr. – Texas
• Darci Baker, Keoki Kahumoku, Walt Keale, and Herb Ohta, Jr. – Washington, D.C. area
• Pakele Live on OC16 TV – compilation show and Steven Espaniola
• Hit and Run hula – San Francisco
• Raiatea Helm - Honolulu

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This week’s guests on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis are the Side Order Band (6 pm) and Mailani (7pm).


The Side Order Band (Asa Young, Bryan Tolentino, Chris Kamaka, and Del Beazley) was formed back in 1979, when the four friends (who were newly graduated from high school) decided to join forces. The years since then have seen a number of changes for each member: Asa and his wife moved to North Carolina due to job transfers (although he continues to play Hawaiian music there, having formed a group in 2004 called the Hawaiian Kine Band), Bryan performs regularly with Weldon Kekauoha, Raiatea Helm, Del, and many others (and can be found playing on almost every Hawaiian album known to man), Chris is active in his family’s company (Kamaka ‘Ukulele) and continues to perform with various people - including Bryan, and Del is a multiple Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning composer/musician/singer with credits far too numerous to cite here!

Members of the group continue to perform together occasionally – Bryan, Chris and Del performed at Pali’s CD release party earlier this year, Asa flew to California to do a short concert tour with Bryan in April, etc. - and all four reunited in 2005 to perform on Bryan’s debut solo album. However, with Asa now living so far away, we rarely see him here in Hawai’i nei, let alone performing with his old friends - so don’t miss this very special evening! There will be good music, laughs, Bryan’s beautiful wife will dance hula, and I hear Sam Kamaka Jr. may be in the audience. Side Order Band will be on in the 6 o’clock hour.


In the 7 o’clock hour we will have singer-songwriter Mailani Makainai, who will perform songs from her recently released and long-awaited CD “Mailani.” Regular Pakele viewers may remember Mailani from past appearances with MighTy J band mate Jenn “JRoq” Wright (who appeared last week with Zaysha Labrador – Simple Souls).

Mailani is perhaps best known as a member of one of Hawai’i’s most popular female duos, Keahiwai (with Lei Melket). Their first album, “Local Girls,” was released in 2001 to popular and critical acclaim, and earned them several Na Hoku Hanohano Award nominations. Four additional, award-winning albums followed – including “Satisfied,” which contained the hit song “Falling.” In 2006, Mailani was invited to do a podcast that focused on the Hawaiian music industry, and that ultimately led to the formation of the group MighTy J, with Jenn JRoq Wright (Kanalo and Simple Souls), and Tiki Suan (Milo Shade). Their album “Calling Out” was released in 2007 and was nominated for both Na Hoku Hanohano and Hawai’i Music Awards.

Mailani, who also performed at the Merrie Monarch Festival in 2003 and 2004, has dreamed of releasing a Hawaiian album for some time, and that dream was realized in June. Of the 12 songs on her new album, five are original compositions written in both Hawaiian and English. Also included are songs by Kawaikapu Hewett, Edith Kanaka`ole, Mary Puku`i and Kahauanu Lake, and more.

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! this Thursday, August 20, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). It’s free, all ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Drinks are available for purchase, although the hotel no longer serves food.

You may also watch live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
Those in Japan can watch at: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/

You may email the show at pakele@lava.net – mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!
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Chicago area – Hawai’i Music Award winner Steven Espaniola is heading your way next week! A talented musician, composer, and leo ki’eki’e (falsetto) singer, on August 26 he’ll be doing an 'ukulele workshop focusing on the different Hawaiian strums (for medium to advanced level students) at 5:30 pm and there will be a kani ka pila starting at 7:30 pm. On August 27 Steven will be in concert from 7:30-9:00 pm, followed by a meet and greet. This all takes place at the Tiki Terrace, 1591 Lee St., Des Plaines, IL. For information and tickets, call (847) 795-8454 or visit the Tiki Terrace website.

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There are a number of events happening on O’ahu this weekend:


Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Aug. 21-23) is the annual Made in Hawai’i Festival at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Each year the festival attracts thousands of visitors (including many store buyers from around the world) and over 400 vendors selling food, clothing, jewelry, arts and crafts, plants, and more! The food vendors (and cooking demonstrations) are usually in the arena (most food vendors have samples - yum!), and the other vendors are in Blaisdell Hall. The musical entertainment takes place in the Pikake Room (which is also in the Hall). Admission is $3 (discount tickets are available at First Hawaiian Bank). Parking can be horrendous at times, so consider taking the bus (according to the website, from Waikiki take route B, #2, or #13)!

The festival always offers the best in musical entertainment (included in the cost of admission). For some reason, they’ve taken the entertainment schedule off their website, but I happened to have made a copy last month. Please note that the list of performers and times is subject to change (perhaps that’s why they removed the schedule? Too many changes?) Here is the schedule as of July 24 – please note that some of the cooking events are included, and those take place in the arena, not the Pikake room:

The festival runs from 10 am to 9 pm Friday and Saturday, and 10 am to 5 pm Sunday.
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On Saturday (Aug. 22), the Makaha Sons are holding a free “Mahalo” concert from 11 am to 5 pm on the grounds of Honolulu Hale (530 S. King Street). In addition to the Sons, performers include Del Beazley, Makana, Sean Na'auao, Kaukahi, Pacific Street - Repaved, the Abrigo Ohana, Halau Hula 'O Hokulani, and Kapena. There will be craft and food vendors, and a keiki area with games and rides. Rev. Dennis Kamakahi will start the day with a pule and mele, and Billy V and Nicole Fox (Miss Hawaii 2008) will MC.

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Also on Saturday, the Summer Concert Series in Waianae continues with Holunape. The concert will be held at the Pilila’au Army Rec. Center from 7-10 p.m.

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George Kahumoku, Jr. celebrates the release of his new album Kani Wai - the Sound of Water with some workshops and a concert on Saturday, August 29 at the Henry Mello Center in Watsonville, CA. From 3-4 pm there will be workshops in slack key ukulele (by George) and hula (by Kumu Hula Leolani Lowry). From 7:30 -9:30 pm George will perform in concert. Click here for tickets.



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‘Ukulele master Herb Ohta, Jr. will be traveling to Texas in September to teach workshops and perform in concert. He’ll be in Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston:

Dallas
Concert Wednesday, September 16 at Midway Point, 12801 Midway Road at I-635. There is limited seating, so advance ticket purchase is highly recommended! Workshops will be held Sept. 16 & 17. For tickets and information, call (214) 924-0408 or click here.

San Antonio
Concert Saturday, Sept. 19 at Aloha Roses and Flowers, 1242 Austin Hwy, #109. Workshops will be held Sept. 18 & 19. Making reservations online for the concert and workshops is a bit convoluted and may take several days (plus seating is limited), so reserve EARLY. Call Joyce Flaugher at (210) 521-9459 for info.

Houston
Concert Sunday, Sept. 20 in the Listening Room at Nia Moves, 508 Pecore. Workshops will be held Sept. 20. For the concert, click here and scroll down the right side of the page until you find Herb’s info. For the workshops, click here, then click on “Events & Workshops” and scroll down for information. (It’s quite a ways down.)

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Awhile back I mentioned a concert and workshops to be held in the Washington, D.C. area October 9-11. Tickets are now on sale, and space is very limited! The weekend will include beginning and intermediate classes in ‘ukulele and slack key guitar, Hawaiian language and voice lessons, 1-on-1 or small group lessons with Grammy winning slack key and ‘ukulele artists, cultural lessons about lineage, land, and lyrics through music, and a concert by the instructors: Darci Baker, Keoki Kahumoku, Walt Keale, and Herb Ohta, Jr.

For detailed information, go to the Hawai’i State Society of Washington, D.C. website.
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Beginning Wednesday (Aug. 19) on OC16 TV and online, Pakele Live! with Tony Solis is airing a compilation show featuring O’Brien Eselu; Ryan Tang & The Waikiki Sons; Walt Keale & Kawika Kahiapo; Jennifer Perri featuring Herb Ohta, Jr. Casey Olsen, David Kamakahi, Jon Yamasato and Darin Leong; the Abrigo Ohana; and Kenneth Makuakane and Brickwood Galuteria.

The show will begin airing August 19 at 7 pm, and will continue to air daily (at different times – check the schedule online) for one week.


(A heads up for those who have been patiently waiting: beginning August 26th we will feature
Steven Espaniola! Due to technical problems beyond our control, the livestream feed of his (live) performance in February was seen by only a handful of people. Although the TV version of the show is only a half hour, at least you’ll now be able to see some of his performance!

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Kumu Hula Patrick Makuakane and his halau Nā Lei Hulu I Ka Wēkiu held at series of “Hit and Run Hulas” in numerous San Francisco locations this past weekend. Videos of many of the performances are on YouTube, and links to one or more have been posted all over Facebook and Twitter. Here are a few – just search “hit and run hula” in YouTube to find more!

at the Apple store

at the cable car turnaround

at the Ferry Building
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A note about next week’s Moonlight Mele On the Lawn show at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu:

Although the schedule lists Raiatea Helm as the only performer, I’ve just received word that Weldon Kekauoha will also perform – from 6:30 - 7:15pm. This is the final concert of the series. It takes place August 27 on the great lawn. Advance tickets are $15, ($10 for Bank of Hawai’i customers & employees, Bishop Museum members, and military). Keiki 3 and under are free. Tickets purchased at the door are $20.
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And finally, I’d like to thank Don Bradway of KFOK FM, who was Sunday’s in-studio guest on Hawaiian Concert Guide, as well as hosts Puni and Piko, for the very kind things they said about me throughout the show. Mahalo nui loa!
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Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!

August 11, 2009

Aloha kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Simple Souls
• This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis (TV version) – Sean Na’auao
• Hawaiian Heritage Night with the Sacramento Monarchs
• Michael Keene’s “Kani Ka Pila” radio show
• Free Hawaiian music in the Santa Cruz, CA area
• Willie K’s CA tour – and Seattle’s Live Aloha Festival
• Reminder – Slack Key Festival, Oahu
• Bobby Ingano performing with Kuo/Pahinui/Mahi – CA tour
• Mike Keale – Sacramento, CA
• Pulama O Waimea - O'ahu

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The acoustic duo Simple Souls is this week’s guest on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis. Due to the overwhelming response after their somewhat brief appearance in July (with Kuhio, Ka Hula O Ululani, and Aunty Diana Aki), we’re bringing them back for the full two-hour show!

The group is comprised of Jenn "JRoQ" Wright (MighTy J, PALI, Kanalo, She Rocks), and Zaysha Labrador (Kanalo, She Rocks), and has been performing together since July 2003. What was initially a dare to play aside from their established band, Kanalo (which was then a 4-piece band), turned into a new passion for “unplugged” music and a fresh acoustic sound. Both members bring a unique style and flavor to the group - Zaysha, with her powerhouse vocals, and Jenn, with her extensive talent in all things percussion (and who injects some fun into the mix!).

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! this Thursday, August 13, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). It’s free, all ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center. Drinks are available for purchase, although the hotel no longer serves food.

You may also watch live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
Those in Japan can watch at: http://www.j-wave.co.jp/
You may email the show at pakele@lava.net

(Note: Facebook members – Pakele Live has a new Facebook page! Just search on “Pakele Live with Tony Solis,” and become a fan!)
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The third season of Pakele Live! with Tony Solis is now airing on OC16 TV. Each week’s new episode begins on Wednesday night at 7 pm HST and runs for 30 minutes. This week’s guest is Sean Na’auao. The show airs daily for one week at various times (check schedule online). All OC16 programming is streamed live over the internet, so you can catch a show at a time that is convenient for you, no matter where you live!


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The Sacramento Monarchs are hosting a series of “Heritage Nights” at Arco Arena this season, and Hawaiian Heritage Night takes place on Tuesday September 1 at 5:30 pm. A portion of the proceeds from all ticket sales will go to Hui O’ Hawaii of Sacramento and to the Pacific Islander Cultural Association (PICA). In addition to taking an active role in perpetuating Hawaiian culture, both organizations provide scholarships to local Hawaiian students.

Tickets are $20 and are on sale now. Purchase price includes the game (vs. the Connecticut Sun), a reception with live music and an option for food (Hawaiian BBQ), a Hawaiian Heritage commemorative t-shirt, and a $5 donation to Hui o Hawai’i and PICA.

This is a special promotional event. For more information or to order tickets, contact Brian Bergersen at 916-928-3669 or bbergersen@arcoarena.com. Buy your tickets now to have a great evening out and support the local Hawaiian community!
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I just received word that in spite of a huge outpouring of support from listeners (and many of my subscribers - mahalo!), Michael Keene’s Sunday morning “Kani Ka Pila” radio show on KVMR FM will be cut from 3 hours to 2. Beginning August 30, the show will air from 10 am to noon PST. The station is at 89.5 FM on the radio dial out of Nevada City, CA, or you can listen to the live stream.

The later start will at least allow Michael to continue his live (via phone) interviews with musicians here in Hawai’i without them having to wake up at the crack of way too early to allow for the 3 hour time difference (2 hours when it’s no longer daylight saving, but still…kinda early if you’re a musician who had a gig that ended late the night before!).
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Looking for free Hawaiian music in the Santa Cruz area? The Island Breeze Band will be performing at Michael’s on Main (2591 S Main St, Soquel, 831- 479-9777) Thursday August 13 from 7-10 PM. The band performs traditional and contemporary Hawaiian music, as well as “tropical surf” and other styles.

The next night (Friday Aug 14) you can see Kalae Miles at Jia Tella’s (18 Victor Square, Scotts Valley, 831-438-5005) from 7-9 pm. Hula dancers are welcome!
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Willie K begins his West Coast tour August 15. Although he has been focusing on his solo career of late, this tour features his new band Lima Wela, with Joe Cano and Avi Ronen. I recently got to hear them perform live on Perry and Price’s Saturday morning show, and their music was a blend of Hawaiian, acoustic jazz, a bit of Israel – an exciting new sound!

The tour dates are as follows:

Aug 15 South Shasta Creek Lu`au Grounds, Eugene, OR (7pm) Info/Tix: Show $25; Dinners by Hodgepodge $10 in advance; $12 at the door. Tickets available from Maggie Matoba (541-484-5754), Jim Barnhart (541-284-4113) or Leilani Beamer (541-688-7298)

Aug 19 Yoshi's - Oakland, CA (two shows: 8 and 10 pm) Tix
Aug 20 Little Fox Theatre - Redwood City, CA (7:30pm) Tix $18 adv/$20 door (Please note- age 21+ only!)
Aug 21 Kuumbwa Jazz Center - Santa Cruz, CA (two shows: 7 and 9 pm) Tix $25 adv/$28 door
Aug 22 St. Josephs Cultural Center - Grass Valley, CA (8 pm) Tix
Aug 23 Rancho Nicasio, CA (Luau – gates open at 3, music at 4pm) Tix $20 call (415) 662-2219

He will also perform Sept. 13 at 4:30 pm in the Mural Amphitheater at the Live Aloha Festival in Seattle. The festival is at Seattle Center, Center House (305 Harrison St.) from 11 am to 7 pm.

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Just a reminder that the 26th Annual Hawaii Slack Key Guitar Festival takes place Sunday August 16, noon to 6 pm at Kapiolani Park (FREE!). The festival is usually streamed live here. (If you go to the site now, you can see video of last year’s festival.)

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A note about the current tour CA with George Kuo, Martin Pahinui and Aaron Mahi – word has it that the very talented (and always smiling!) Bobby Ingano (steel guitar) is joining the trio for all or most of their dates! Special treat! (See the July 21, 2009 newsletter for their tour schedule.)

In addition to the concert dates previously mentioned, Kuo, Pahinui, Mahi and Ingano will play a FREE concert at the Aloha Celebrity (Canoe) Races & Polynesian Festival Sunday, August 16 at the Santa Cruz Wharf. The races start at 9 am, the Festival at 11 am. Here is the entertainment schedule:

11:00 am Island Breeze band
12:15 pm Kalae Miles
1:30 pm Races Awards Ceremony
2:00 pm George Kuo, Aaron Mahi, Martin Pahinui & Bobby Ingano
4:00 pm Hula Halau ‘O Pi‘ilani

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My friend Mike Keale will be performing at Borders Sacramento on Thursday, September 17 at 7 pm! Many of you saw Mike at the recent San Francisco Aloha Festival (mahalo for emailing to let me know how much you enjoyed his performance!), but for those who missed it, now’s your chance to see and meet yet another member of the oh-so-talented Keale family. Work continues on his album, but in the mean time, you can visit his website to hear samples!

Mike is now living in California, and is sorely missed by those of us here in Hawai’i nei. In addition to being a talented musician, he’s one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet so please go see him at Borders and give him the warm welcome you’ve shown so many others from Hawai’i!
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The beautiful Waimea Valley (O’ahu) will celebrate the rededication of the Valley on Saturday, August 15 with “Pulama O Waimea.” The day will feature cultural practitioners, entertainment, Hawaiian games, make-and-take crafts, a native plant sale, special guided tours of their beautiful, award-winning botanical gardens, and more! The Abrigo Ohana will perform from 10 am to noon.




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Pau for now! E malama pono a hui hou!

Senator Brickwood Galuteria at Pakele Live!

Aloha kakou!

This is a special edition of the Hawaiian events newsletter - only one topic!

Having recently celebrated its second birthday, Pakele Live! with Tony Solis is pleased to announce a very special, first-time guest for the August 6 show: Senator Brickwood Galuteria. Senator Galuteria and friends will play music from a variety of genres, including traditional Hawaiian and Hawaiian jazz.

An accomplished musician and two-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner (1985’s Male Vocalist of the Year and Most Promising Artist), his Pakele Live! appearance will mark the busy Senator’s first opportunity in some time to perform in a concert setting. In addition to serving his constituents and performing his duties as Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Tourism and member of the Ways & Means, Education & Housing, and Public Safety & Military Affairs Committees, Senator Galuteria continues to work as co-host of “Na Oiwi Olino - People Seeking Wisdom” on AM940, and he maintains his life-long dedication to and involvement with numerous other programs and services, particularly those with cultural significance to Hawai’i and its people.

Brickwood Galuteria (pictured at left with the late Aunty Genoa Keawe)began his musical career when he and his Kamehameha Schools friend and classmate Kenneth Makuakane (who has since gone on to win 12 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards) formed a group they named “Na Leo O Kamehameha,” with Chris Keli’ia’a and Miles Kahaloa. Over the years, the Senator became increasingly involved with music as a Hawaiian art form, expanding his interests from that of a performer to the business and promotion of music and culture. As a performer, he traveled around the world playing music for the Hawai’i Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hawaiian Airlines, and he performed with Marlene Sai at the Monarch Room. In 1980 he also began working as a radio on-air personality, developing shows such as “The Biggest Little Nightclub in Town.” He worked as the Aloha Morning Show host on KCCN and KINE for sixteen years.

He further expanded his work to include hosting such TV series as the Discovery Channel’s “These Enchanted Islands,” ESPN’s “Hawai’i Sports Adventure,” and KHON’s “Hawai’i’s Kitchen Treasures,” and since 2007 he’s been the moderator of “Ho’oulu Lahui Aloha,” a series of shows on Hawaiian history, culture, politics, events, and language.

A lifetime dedicated to public service has taken the Senator down many paths, from chairman of the Democratic Party to crew member and media coordinator of Hokule’a’s 1992 Voyage of Education. He is a past chairman of the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts, and has served on the board of many organizations, from the Hawai’i Special Olympics to the Native Hawaiian Culture and Arts Program, and many more.

However, despite his busy schedule and the many hats he wears, Senator Galuteria has remained steadfast in his commitment to and love of music, finding it both a source of strength and a place of refuge. His devotion to music and musicians is evident to many – he has played a significant role in the evolution of music in Hawai’i over the past 30 years.

Please join host Tony Solis as he welcomes Senator Brickwood Galuteria to the Pakele Live! stage on Thursday August 6 from 6-8 p.m. HST at the Pakele Lounge in the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). It’s free, open to all ages, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center. (Drinks are available for purchase, although the hotel no longer serves food.)

Those unable to attend in person are invited to watch the show’s live broadcast over the internet at: http://www.pakelelive.com/

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