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!