Aloha kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Ernie Cruz, Jr.
• Pineapple Tree – Honolulu
• Cyril Pahinui – Felton, San Francisco
• A Selection of Christmas Concerts – Hawai’i
• Waipuna - Honolulu
• 2010 on the mainland

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This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis our guest is Ernie Cruz, Jr. !

Ernie might be best known as one of the Kaʻau Crater Boys, a wildly popular duo that performed contemporary Hawaiian music with a bit of a traditional sound in the 1990s. The group (Ernie and Troy Fernandez) released four very well-received albums that won three Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards.

After the Kaʻau Crater Boys disbanded in the late 1990s, Ernie, who plays ‘ukulele and guitar, went on to perform with brother John Cruz and cousin Amy Hanaiali’i, among others, and he recorded several solo albums. His 2001 solo release, “Portraits,” which consisted of original songs delivered in his soulful vocal style, won the 2002 Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards for Male Vocalist and Island Contemporary Album.


Ernie has continued to play with a variety of musicians, including Hawai’i’s own Jack Johnson, and Eddie Vedder (of Pearl Jam) at the 2007 Kokua Music Festival. He frequently performs with Adj Larioza (Kapala, Ho’omalie and more), and Todd Adamski, a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artist with the group Nightwing. Both Adj and Todd will join Ernie on the Pakele Live! stage.

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! this Thursday, December 10, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). Although admission is free, your purchase of two drinks or soft drinks will help ensure the continuation of the Pakele Live! concert series. All ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center.

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.!

PLEASE NOTE: This will be our last show for 2009. Join us when we return on January 14, 2010 with a CD release party for Brittni Paiva!
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Jon Yamasato (Pure Heart), David Kamakahi and Darin Leong have formed a new group called Pineapple Tree. They’ll be playing this Friday (Dec. 11) from 6:30 – 9:30 on the lanai at Good to Grill in the Kapahulu Safeway shopping center. (Note: BYOB, or you can purchase drinks from Safeway.)


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Cyril Pahinui will start 2010 with two quick concert appearances in Northern California.

On January 1 he’ll be at Don Quixote’s in Felton (Santa Cruz area). Tickets are $14 advance/$16 door. Show time is 8:00 pm. (The concert will also include singer/songwriter Shakeh and percussionist Dwain Roque.)

On January 3 he will be at Yoshi’s San Francisco, with special guest Faith Ako. Tickets are $18 advance/$22 door. Showtime is 7 pm.
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A number of Hawaiian artists are holding Christmas concerts throughout the islands. Here’s a sampling:

Amy Hanaiali’i – Friends and Family Christmas
12/11 Kahilu Theater, Waimea (w/John Cruz, Eric Gilliom and Sean Na’auao). Tickets $30-$50. Call (808) 885-6868

12/12 Royal Hawaiian Theater, Waikiki (w/Eric Gilliom, Henry Kapono and Sean Na`auao). Tickets $30-$50. Call (808) 550-8457 or buy online.

12/18 Performing Arts Center, Kauai Community College, Puhi (w/Eric Gilliom, Kaumakaiwa Kanaka`ole and Sean Na`auao). Tickets $30-$50 at Scotty's Music, Borders Books, Kaua`i Music & Sound, Princeville Center music kiosk.

Leilani Rivera Bond, Larry Rivera and Michael Ruff
12/20 Kaua`i War Memorial Convention Hall, Lihue. 7pm. Call (808) 651-0682 or (808) 651-0864.

Na Leo
12/20, 12/22, 12/23 Hale Koa Hotel Lu`au Gardens, Waikiki. 7:30pm. Tickets $40-$100
call (808) 262-6300 or buy online.

Hapa
12/23 Kahala Hotel & Resort, Honolulu. Reservations required 808-739-8888
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Join Waipuna (Kale Hannahs and Matt Sproat) as they celebrate the release of their debut album "Mana'o Pili" on Saturday December 12 at Halau Haumea (Center for Hawaiian Studies building) on the University of Hawaii Manoa campus. Special guests include Holunape, Kupaoa, Mailani Makainai, and Maunalua. The event is free, but parking is $4. Light pupus will be served.

(Pakele Live is hosting another CD release party for Waipuna on January 21st!)


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2010 will see a number of musicians from Hawai’i traveling to the mainland. Watch for appearances by Amy Hanaiali’i, Hapa, Willie K, Ledward Kaapana, Kupaoa, Herb Ohta, Jr., Jeff Peterson, Keali’i Reichel, Makaha Sons, and more!
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Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!

Aloha kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Nā Palapalai CD Release Party
• Lōkahi Events – O’ahu
• Southern California Slack Key Festival – Redondo Beach
• Grammy Nominees
• Arizona Aloha Festival – Tempe
• Hawaiian Masters Holiday Concert – Big Island
• Toys for Tots Benefit Concert – Honolulu
• Honolulu City Lights events
• Willie K, Amy, Henry Kapono – Seattle
• Ledward Kaapana - California

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This week at Pakele Live! with Tony Solis we are hosting a CD release party for Nā Palapalai, in celebration of their new album Nanea. Special guests include Kama Hopkins, Paul Kim, and Shawn Ishimoto, with appearances by Uncle Bill Kaiwa and Mark Yamanaka, and a very special, one-time reunion appearance by the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning group ‘Ale’a (Ryan “Gonzo” Gonzales, Kale Hannahs, and Chad Takatsugi).

Nā Palapalai was formed in 1995 by Kehau Tamure and Kuana Torres Kahele in their hometown of Hilo, Hawai’i. Raised around traditional Hawaiian music, they polished their skills playing local shows and backyard pa’inas. As the band evolved, new talent joined and left the duo, including Wailau Ryder, Akoni Malacas and Keao Costa.

Valued for their original compositions and falsetto harmonies, the band brings a raw energy and enthusiasm to traditional Hawaiian music. Their albums have been nominated for and won countless Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, and their music is used by hula halaus worldwide.

PLEASE NOTE! We have some special things in store this week – including your chance to win a free trip to Las Vegas!

Join host Tony Solis for a special extended Pakele Live! this Thursday, December 3, from 6-9 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). Although admission is free, your purchase of two drinks or soft drinks will help ensure the continuation of the Pakele Live! concert series. All ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center.

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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Last week I mentioned that in past years there was plenty of entertainment held in conjunction with the Lōkahi drive here on O’ahu. Both Ala Moana Center (Honolulu) and Windward Mall (Kaneohe) will host Lōkahi events from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday December 5.

Windward Mall's Lōkahi drive entertainment lineup includes:

Mailani Makainai - 10:15 am to 11 am
Kahalu'u Elementary School ‘Ukulele Band - 11:15 am to 12 pm
LES Studio - 12:15 pm to 1 pm
Ron Loo and Friends - 1:15 pm to 2 pm
Paul Shimomoto & The Hawaiian Jazz Ensemble - 2:15 pm to 3 pm
Imua - 3:15 pm to 4 pm

Ala Moana Center’s lineup is as follows (in order of appearance):

Hawai’i Youth Chorus
Amy Hanaiali’i
Manoa DNA
John Cruz
Punahou Keiki Choir
Le Jardin ‘Ukulele Choir
Jeff Peterson

Your donations of cash, gift cards, or unwrapped gifts will help make this year’s Lōkahi drive a big success, and will brighten the holidays for those less fortunate!
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Just a reminder that tickets are going fast for the 3rd Annual Southern California Slack Key Festival, set for January 24 at the Performing Arts Center in Redondo Beach (1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd). Performers include John Cruz, Ledward Kaapana, Makana, Cyril Pahinui, Jeff Peterson, and Jim Kimo West.



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The Grammy nominees have been announced! The nominees for Best Hawaiian Music Album are:

He Nani - Tia Carrere & Daniel Ho [Daniel Ho Creations]
Friends & Family Of Hawai`i - Amy Hanaiali`i [UA Records]
Nani Mau Loa: Everlasting Beauty - Ho`okena [Ho`omau Inc.]
Masters Of Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar, Volume 2 – (Various Artists) Daniel Ho, George Kahumoku, Jr., Paul Konwiser & Wayne Wong, producers [Daniel Ho Creations]

There are only four nominees this year, rather than the usual five. According to Alan Yamamoto, Vice President of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts (NARAS – the Grammy organization), this could be due to a tie vote between more than two albums in the category. (FYI, Hawai’i is part of NARAS’ Pacific Northwest Chapter.) As I’ve mentioned in past years, for nominees where the album is a compilation (such as the Masters of Hawaiian Slack Key album), the Grammy goes to the album’s producers rather than the individual artists.

Note: The Hawaiian category has been moved this year. Originally placed in the “Folk” field, it is now in the “American Roots” field (Field 13, Category 70).
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An early heads’ up for Arizona peeps – dates have been set for the 2010 Aloha Festival! It will be held at Tempe Town Lake Beach Park in Tempe on March 13 – 14 (10 am – 5 pm), and the theme will be "Celebration of Dance." The 2009 Aloha Festival attracted an estimated 150,000 visitors and brought together vendors, artists, and visitors from all over the country to celebrate the power of Aloha. The festival is free.

Note: Use the Arizona Aloha Festival Affiliate code of AMWEBAAF when booking your flights at www.HawaiianAir.com/Affiliate. Current Offer - Save 5% off of the lowest Internet fare!

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Each year the Kahumoku Ohana Hawaiian Music and Lifestyle Workshop (camp) ends with a concert by the teachers. This year the "Hawaiian Masters Holiday Concert" (to support the Boys & Girls Club of Ka`u) takes place December 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Pahala Community Center (Pahala is on Hawai’i island). Performers include Keoki Kahumoku, Herb Ohta, Jr., John Keawe, Sonny Lim, Dennis Kamakahi, Brittni Paiva, George Kahumoku, Jr., Moses Kahumoku, Konabob Stoffer, Kanani Hundley and Leilehua Yuen.



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Amy Hanaiali’i, Jake Shimabukuro, Anita Hall and Jim Nabors will be among those performing at the Na Mele o Na Keiki Toys for Tots concert at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on Wednesday, December 9 at 7 pm. Free tickets are available at the box office now (limit 4), but guests are encouraged to make a donation to support the Toys for Tots Foundation.



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Honolulu City Lights is celebrating its 25th year with a series of free events at Honolulu Hale December 5-19. Included is the tree lighting, as well as concerts, keiki rides, food booths. Concerts include Maunalua, Amy Hanaiali‘i, the DeLima Ohana and Touch of Gold (Dec. 5), Robi Kahakalau and Special Guests (Dec. 12), and Brother Noland (Dec. 19). For a complete schedule of events, visit the Honolulu City Lights website.

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Seattle peeps! Hawaiian music is coming your way next month! The Triple Door will host Willie K on January 10, Amy Hanaiali’i on January 18, and Henry Kapono and the Wild Hawaiian Band on January 26. Click on the event in the calendar to purchase tickets.

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Ledward Kaapana is heading back to California next month. Here are the dates and cities on his tour:

January 16 – Grass Valley (Center for the Arts)
January 17 – Redwood City (Little Fox)
January 20 – Felton (Don Quixote’s)
January 21 – Berkeley (Freight and Salvage)
January 22 – Nicasio (Rancho Nicasio)
January 23 – Winters (the Palms)
January 24 – Redondo Beach (So. Cal Slack Key Festival)
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Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!