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!