Aloha mai kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Kaiaulu and Hapa Folk
• Merrie Monarch - Hilo
• Makana – Honolulu
• Bryan Tolentino – Honolulu
• HAPA and Jeff Peterson – Whittier
• Mehana - Whittier

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis we have Kaiaulu in the 6 o’clock hour and Hapa Folk in the 7 o’clock hour.

Kaiaulu is a group of students, all of Hawaiian ancestry, from Ka Waihona o Ka Na’auao Public Charter School’s Gifted and Talented ‘Ukulele Class (after school program) in Wai’anae (on O’ahu’s leeward coast). They perform traditional Hawaiian music and hula for the domestic and foreign community by sharing, honoring and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture and values. The group’s aim is to strengthen the relationship between visitors and the islands in a culturally respectful way, by connecting more deeply with the group’s own ancestral roots and changing the inaccurate and negative perception sometimes connected to the community in which they live. The project showcases the Hawaiian community’s youth through music, and also provides an avenue of growth for at-risk youth.

Their teacher, Franny Victorino, is a long-time Hawaiian musician as well as a teacher at the charter school. Students audition for the group, and once accepted, they learn tradition, history, background, and the composers of the mele they perform. They write essays about what they’ve learned during cultural activities, and about the pieces they have performed in public. They also share with their audiences what they’ve learned about each song. They create their own kala’au (dancing sticks) and ‘ili’ili (dancing rocks), and pick floral and fauna (when available) to adorn themselves for performance. By the time they have completed the program, the students have become skilled musicians. They expect to have a positive impact on the world’s view of Hawaiians, and to deepen people’s understanding of traditionally accurate Hawaiian culture through music.

Hapa Folk is a trio consisting of Kimo Stone, Poki'i Vaughan and Douglas Kilpatrick. Nominated in 2009 for a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for their album “Good Fun,” they play a variety of genres, but primarily traditional Hawaiian and American folk. (They’ve been likened to the Kingston Trio with aloha shirts...) They play a variety of Hawaiian favorites such as Noho Paipai, Hawai’i 78, and Ka Loke, but also songs like Can't Help Falling in Love, Come Go With Me, If I Had a Hammer, Mama Don’t Dance and Daddy Don’t Rock and Roll, and more. Like the title of their album – good fun!

Join Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, April 8 from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). There is no cover or minimum, although your purchase of two drinks or soft drinks helps ensure the continuation of the Pakele Live! concert series. (Note: Pakele Lounge has once again stopped serving food.) All ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center.

You may also watch the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/

(Please email the show at pakele@lava.net and let us know you’re watching! Mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It’s Merrie Monarch week on the Big Island, and the festivities have already begun! Tickets to the competition itself were sold out long ago, but you can watch live on KFVE TV in Hawai’i, or online. The Miss Aloha Hula competition takes place on Thursday, followed by Hula Kahiko (ancient style) on Friday and Hula Auana (modern style) on Saturday, immediately followed by the awards ceremony.

The official Merrie Monarch website has the program listing for each day, so you can see where in the order your favorite halau will dance, who the kumu hula is, and what mele (song) they will be dancing to. (However it does not say who is playing the music for each halau on Saturday – something I’ve long wished they’d announce or put in a crawl at the bottom of the screen during the TV broadcast!)

For me? I love Kahiko night the best, and I always look forward to the performances by the kāne (men) from Sonny Ching’s Hālau Nā Mamo O Puʻuanahulu (#25 this year) and O’Brian Eselu’s Ke Kai O Kahiki (last, at #28). (I also love watching the dancers from Kumu Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu’s Academy of Hawaiian Arts, but they don’t participate every year...)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Makana has announced two special shows in Honolulu! The first takes place Friday (April 9), and the second is on Thursday April 15. Both shows are FREE, and take place at “The Edge of Waikiki” (in the Sheraton Waikiki) from 5:30-8:30pm (all ages).

This will NOT be a regular weekly event, rather it’s a special appearance to honor O’ahu fans and supporters, and also to celebrate the return to Honolulu of Makana’s original percussionist Ms. Rhythm Speaker Jan Jeffries (she played on Makana’s first and second albums, on tracks like “Only You” and “Ku’ulei ‘Awapuhi“).

This is Makana’s gift back to the community of Honolulu for all of their support. He has been traveling and touring most of this year and wanted to reconnect with everyone here on his home island.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bryan Tolentino will play the ever-popular lunchtime slot at Nico’s this Friday from 11-2pm. Bryan is an exceptionally talented ‘ukulele player who is in great demand by everyone (and I do mean EVERYONE) to perform on their albums, and he also plays live regularly with Weldon Kekauoha and Raiatea Helm - but we don’t often get to see him play on his own! If you’re on O’ahu, I urge you to head to Nico’s at Pier 38 for some great music and a delicious lunch. Get there early – the food is both reasonable and tasty, and with the added attraction of live music on Fridays the tables – all outdoors, but under cover - fill up fast.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There are still a few tickets available for Saturday’s Aloha Series performance by Hapa (Barry Flanagan, Nathan Aweau, and Charles Ka’upu) at Whittier College. Also appearing (for the first time at Whittier!) will be Grammy winning slack key artist Jeff Peterson. Hapa has a new CD ("Mahina") that is ONLY available at their concerts, so don’t miss your chance to see them live and pick up the new CD!

The concert is Saturday, April 10, with two shows: 3 pm & 8 pm. Tickets are $40
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Also at Whittier College (on Sunday, April 11) – Mehana. Local favorites for the last five years, they brought their love of island music with them when they moved to California from Hawai'i. They have opened for the Makaha Sons, and have played with artists such as Cyril Pahinui, Jeff Peterson and Kimo West.

The concert begins at 2pm. Tickets are $20.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!

March 24, 2010

Aloha mai kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis – Jon Osorio and Uluwehi Guerrero
• Final Aloha Friday Concerts at Gordon Biersch
• This Weekend in California - George and Keoki Kahumoku, Dennis and David Kamakahi, John Cruz, and HAPA
• Na Palapalai and Keli’i Kaneali’i – Maui
• Prince Kūhiō Celebrations – Live Stream of Ledward Kaapana/Mike Kaawa concert from Kaua’i
• Mike Keale – Waikiki
• Patrick Landeza CD Release Concerts – More Information
• Nā Hōkū O Hawai’i Festival Promotional Video
• John Keawe – Kahuku (O’ahu)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis marks the first appearance by Jon Osorio (6pm), and the return of Uluwehi Guerrero (7pm), in a bid to raise awareness, garner donations and publicize the fundraising concert being held on Saturday March 27 to aid Laua’e Beamer, a young mother who was diagnosed with breast cancer in January of this year, when she was eight months pregnant.

Jon Kamakawiwo’ole Osorio (with his musical partner Randy Borden) gained widespread popularity in the 1970s, during the cultural and political renaissance for Native Hawaiians. Their 1981 hit "Hawaiian Eyes" (the title track from their second album) won a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for song of the year. “Hawaiian Soul,” another song on the Hawaiian Eyes album, was one of the first songs written in honor of George Helm.

Director of the University of Hawai'i-Manoa's Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies, Jon is a political activist and respected author, historian and speaker on such topics as indigenous rights, Native Hawaiian values, traditions and beliefs, the effects of political Westernization on Hawaiian identity, and 19th and 20th century law and politics in Hawai'i.


Uluwehi Guerrero - Kumu Hula, multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner, and the most recent recipient of the Hawai’i Music Award in the Traditional Hawaiian category for his 3rd album Uluwehi Sings Na Mele Hula Aloha.

Uluwehi has won top honors at several falsetto competitions throughout the state of Hawai’i. He also teaches ’ukulele; has a large and talented Hawaiian choir; has judged many hula competitions in Hawai´i, the mainland, and Guam; has given popular hula workshops throughout Hawai´i, North America, the Pacific basin, and Japan; contributes his time and talents through concert performances to help numerous local organizations in their fund-raising efforts; is a choreographer and designer of hula attire; has performed for different halau at the annual Merrie Monarch Festival; and has lent his time and incredible musical and vocal arrangements to other recording artists, such as Keali´i Reichel and Lei´ohu Ryder of Maui.

Join Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, March 25, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). There is no cover or minimum, although your purchase of two drinks or soft drinks helps ensure the continuation of the Pakele Live! concert series. (Note: Pakele Lounge has once again stopped serving food.) All ages are welcome, and free parking is available next door at Ala Moana Shopping Center.

You may also watch the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/

(Please email the show at pakele@lava.net and let us know you’re watching! Mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the final week (March 26) for the Aloha Friday concerts at Gordon Biersch in CA! Here are the performers and locations:

San Francisco (2 Harrison St., 415-243-8246)
Mailani Makainai (6-8pm)

Palo Alto (640 Emerson St., 650-323-7723)
Brittni Paiva (6-8pm)

San Jose (33 E. San Fernando St., 408-294-6785)
Ka Ehu Kai (5-7pm) Raiatea Helm (7:30-9:30pm) Raiatea will be joined by a great group of musicians: Bryan Tolentino, Sonny Kalua and Kimo Artis!

(Note: instructions for those going to the San Jose show are identical to the ones for the shows where Chino Montero recently played with Keli’i Kaneali’i and Amy Hanaiali’i, only this time it’s Bryan Tolentino you should be nagging, er, asking - about when his second solo album will be out. :))
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CA peeps – lots of other great Hawaiian music coming your way over the next few days, too! In addition to the Gordon Biersch Aloha Friday concerts above, the Hawai’i Generations Tour with George and Keoki Kahumoku and Dennis and David Kamakahi will be at Yoshi’s in Oakland on Thursday (3/25), Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz on Friday, and Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos on Saturday; John Cruz will be at the Acoustic Barn in Newcastle on Saturday and Saint Rock in Hermosa Beach Sunday; and HAPA will be at Montalvo Center in Saratoga on Friday, Speckles Center in Rohnert Park Saturday, and Yoshi’s San Francisco on Sunday.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Na Palapalai and Keli’i Kaneali’i are among those scheduled to perform on Maui Saturday at Ho'omau 2010, the annual day-long benefit for Punana Leo O Maui Hawaiian Language Immersion preschool. There will also be performances by other musicians and hālau; ono food; vendors; and activities and fun for the entire family. Tickets are $10, and are available online.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Events continue during this week of celebrations commemorating the birth Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana'ole Pi'ikoi, including a Friday (3/26) concert by Ledward Kaapana and Mike Kaawa at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa that will be streamed live at 8pm HST (11pm PST) and on demand after that. The lei draping ceremony on Prince Kūhiō’s statue at Kuhio Beach (O’ahu) will also take place on Friday, from 7-8am. Also on O’ahu all on Saturday (3/27): Arts & Crafts vendors at Kapiolani Park (11am to 8pm), a parade at 4 pm, and a Moonlight Concert from 6 to 9pm in Kapiolani Park.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mike Keale recently moved back home to O’ahu, and has been playing a few concerts around town. You can catch him Monday, March 29 at the Moana Terrace in the Waikiki Marriott, 6-9pm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



In the last newsletter I mentioned Patrick Landeza’s series of concerts celebrating the release of his new CD, taking place next month in Sacramento, Berkeley and Felton (with Herb Ohta, Jr. as the special guest). I’ve since received word that Asa Young, Jeff Au Hoy and Bobby Santos will join them for all three concerts, not just the Berkeley CD Release party!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The folks at Nā Hōkū O Hawai’i Festival just released a beautiful promotional video composed by Kealoha, and featuring Keali’i Reichel, Kaumakaiwa Kanaka`ole, Anuhea, Mailani, Natalie Ai Kamauu, Amy Hanaiali’i, Jake Shimabukuro, Henry Kapono, Kealoha and John Cruz. Background music is by Kenneth Makuakane.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

O'ahu peeps, MARK YOUR CALENDARS for Tuesday, April 27 at 6:30pm! There will be a FREE slack key concert by Nā Hōkū Hanohano & Grammy® Award winner John Keawe at the Kahuku Public Library (on the Kahuku High School campus). Call (808) 293-8935 or register in person. (Registration is not mandatory – the library would just like to know how many to expect. As of yesterday, I was the ONLY one registered.) John, who lives on the Big Island, doesn't play on O’ahu very often – so don’t miss this chance to see him in concert for free!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!

March 17, 2010

Aloha mai kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis – Keahi Conjugacion and Alika Nako’oka
• ‘Ukulele classes – O’ahu
• Kani Ka Pila - O’ahu
• Free Merrie Monarch Side Trips book – Big Island
• Kaukahi – Fallbrook, CA
• Cindy Combs – Kaua’i
• Patrick Landeza and Friends – Sacramento, Berkeley, Felton
• John and Hope Keawe – Berkeley, Felton
• Aloha Friday Concerts – Palo Alto, San Francisco, San Jose
• Herb Ohta, Jr. - Berkeley

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week’s guests on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis are Keahi Conjugacion and Alika Nako’oka.

Keahi is Grammy®-nominated international jazz recording artist, and a member of the well-known Conjugacion family (Tony C and Brother Noland). Growing up, her home was filled with music and dance, and at a young age Keahi fell in love with the sounds of Dinah Washington and other great jazz vocalists like Sarah Vaughn, Billy Holiday, Carmen McRae, Etta James, and Phyllis Hyman.

She started her singing career at the age of 17, singing with local Top 40 and R&B bands and recording as a background vocalist. In an effort to expand her musical horizons, she moved to Seattle, where she began appearing, recording as a jazz artist, and performing with some of the Northwest's finest jazz musicians. She returned to Hawai’i for a time, but in 2003, Keahi was asked to be a part of “Hawai'i's Legends” and to perform in New York City's Carnegie Hall. During her visit to New York she also performed in some of Harlem's legendary clubs. Inspired by the response of the audiences there, she moved to New York in 2004 and lived there for one year, performing in many of the clubs in Harlem and the West Village.

Keahi has a distinct musical personality: a true jazz singer's spontaneity and freedom mixed with a reverence for the music of Hawai`i and the bluesy stylings of the classic singers she loves so much. Her love for Hawaiian music can be heard in the way she sings a lyric and in her sensitivity to the nuances of the Hawaiian language.


Alika Nako’oka was born and raised on the island of Maui during a time when contemporary Hawaiian music dominated the air waves. He was brought up on the music of Cecilio & Kapono (C & K), the Brothers Cazimero, Kapena, Olomana, Gabby Pahinui, and Israel Kamakawiwo’ole. He comes from a long line of Hawaii entertainers, including his father, Alika Nako’oka Sr., and his two uncles, “Smiley” and Jesse Nako’oka, who hosted the long-running lu’au show at the Maui Lu Resort and who also recorded and produced a number of island favorites, including “54 Bridges To Hana Town” and “Maui Waltz.” At age 6, Alika began singing and performing with his family at the Maui Lu’s lu’au, as well as at other Hawaiian & Polynesian events throughout the islands and Pacific Northwest. He later moved to the mainland with his mother, and was immediately influenced by the unique styles of Marvin Gaye, Simon Lebon, George Michael, and Michael Jackson. But his heart never left the islands - years of performing and writing eventually led him to write the song “Moanalua” with his cousin Miles, which won “Best Song” in a 1991 Hawaiian songwriting competition in Honolulu.

As a young adult, Alika played venues in Los Angeles, Seattle, and Las Vegas, and shared the stage with performers such as Ray Charles, Bill Medley, and Chubby Checker. Performing with these great musicians influenced his musical style, and led him to produce the unique sounds that are now his trademark. Although he now resides in the Pacific Northwest, Alika uses the time he spends at home in Maui to inspire his creativity and write new songs, saying that Maui helps him “feel the heart of Hawai’i in the soul.”

Alika performs regularly on the mainland, including at large venues such as the Kingdome, Safeco Field, and Qwest Field. In 2009 he opened for Keahi Conjugacion and the Makaha Sons at the annual Kalama Heritage Festival in Kalama, WA. His latest CD, “Promise Me This,” honors his roots, the people of Hawai’i, and the Nako’oka family.

Tony is still on vacation, but join our guest host Ben Gutierrez (from KGMB/Hawai’i News Now) for Pakele Live! on Thursday, March 18, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). There is no cover or minimum, although your purchase of two drinks, soft drinks, or food 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 the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/

(Please email the show at pakele@lava.net and let us know you’re watching! Mention your name and where you’re located - city, state – or country, if outside the U.S.!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For those on O’ahu, Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner Weldon Kekauoha teaches a ‘ukulele class every Friday morning from 9-11am at the Waikiki Community Center. Sign-ups for next session begin soon. As Weldon recently said, “Call Jeff Apaka for info at 808-923-1802! Tell'm I sent you, and they give you regular price! Hahahaha!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The monthly kani ka pila at Waimea Valley on O’ahu takes place this Sunday, March 21, from 1-4 pm in the Pikake Pavilion. (The Pavilion is quite large, and it’s covered – so no worries if it’s raining!) A kani ka pila is a Hawaiian “jam session” – people of all ages and skill levels (from all over the world!) bring their instruments and/or voices and enjoy an afternoon of playing music. For those who aren’t musicians (like me), it’s fun to just go and listen!

Sound check begins around noon, but musicians are welcome to come at any time – just bring your instrument(s) and cable(s) and plug in! Food and drinks are available for purchase – the Valley kindly requests that no outside food or beverages (water is okay) be brought in. There is no admission fee.

Note: for those who are visiting O’ahu on vacation, The Bus stops right outside the entrance to Waimea Valley, which is across Kamehameha Highway from Waimea Bay. It’s a bit of a hike in, but the ground is level and paved.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Big Island On The Cheap has announced the availability of its FREE e-book, entitled “Merrie Monarch Side Trips.” It includes coupons and discounts from Big Island retailers and other businesses, and is now available for download. The book is a guide with half- and full-day excursions for people who will be visiting the Big Island for the annual Merrie Monarch (hula) Festival April 4-10 in Hilo, and want some ideas of what else there is to see and do. It offers commentary, history, photos and directions to such popular destinations as Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hilo’s museums, and Akaka Falls, and even offers a little background on the “Merrie Monarch” (King David Kalākaua) himself.

It’s a great resource, not only for people visiting the island for Merrie Monarch, but also for residents with friends or family staying with them during the festival – or for anybody who’d like a round-up of interesting things to do around Hilo. You don’t have to be attending Merrie Monarch to take advantage of the coupons or side trips.

To receive the free e-book, simply email BigIslandOnTheCheap@gmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Don’t miss the beautiful harmonies of multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners Kaukahi at 8pm Friday, April 30 at the Hukilau Restaurant at Fallbrook Golf Club (2757 Gird Rd, Fallbrook, CA). Tickets are on sale now: $25 general admission, $35 dinner and concert. Call (951) 972-0783.

In addition to the concert, Kaukahi group member and Grammy® nominee Kawika Kahiapo will teach a slack key guitar workshop on Sunday, May 2. Call the number above for details!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


“Slack Key Lady” Cindy Combs will perform in concert this Sunday, March 21, from 2-4pm at the National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kauai, Southshore Visitor's Center. Joining her is
harpist Anela Lauren (the two perform together as Lilia) as well as Phil Watts on flute and sax, Bill Dick on violin, and Rodger Jacobs on bass. The concert is outdoors and 'under da tree' – so bring a mat or chair. Coolers are fine, too! Admission: $10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tickets are on sale now for Patrick Landeza’s series of concerts celebrating the release of his new album, Ku`u Honua Mele. He will perform on April 16 in Sacramento, April 17 in Berkeley, and April 18 in Felton. Here are the details:

April 16 – with ‘ukulele master Herb Ohta, Jr. at Curtis Hall in Sacramento (Sierra 2 Center, 2791 24th St). Hawaiian plate dinners will be available for sale. Doors open for food at 6:30pm, show is at 8pm. Tickets are $20 – call (510) 452-4266.

April 17 – with Herb Ohta, Jr. and steel guitarist Jeff Au Hoy (both of whom will fly in from Hawai’i), and Hawaiian guitarist Asa Young (formerly of the Side Order Band, with Del Beazley, Chris Kamaka and Bryan Tolentino), who will fly on from North Carolina! At Freight and Salvage in Berkeley. Show time is 8 pm, doors open at 7. Tickets are $20.50 advance/$21.50 door and are available online.

April 18 – with Herb Ohta, Jr. at Don Quixote’s in Felton (6275 Highway 9). Ticket are $12 adv. & door. (Note: this is an early concert – it starts at 2pm.) For tickets & reservations, call
(831) 603-2294.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winner John Keawe and his beautiful wife Hope will play at Don Quixote’s in Felton on June 10 and Freight and Salvage in Berkeley on June 11. Tickets are on sale now!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week’s performers at the free Bay Area Gordon Biersch Aloha Friday concerts are:

Cyril Pahinui (Palo Alto, 6 pm)

Kawika Alfiche (5pm) Amy Hanaiali’i (7:30) (San Jose) Note: for those who can’t get enough of Chino Montero after seeing him last week as he toured with Keli’i Kaneali’i, you can catch him playing this show with Amy!)

Brittni Paiva (San Francisco, 7 pm)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Herb Ohta, Jr. will teach several ‘ukulele classes (on strumming and rhythm at 6 and 7:30 pm) and ('ukulele arpeggios and Hawaiian turn arounds at 8 and 9:30pm) at Freight and Salvage in Berkeley on April 19. Cost is $30 per class.

Herb’s classes are very popular, so reserve your space now! Click here for the strumming & rhythm class and here for the arpeggios/turn arounds class.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!

March 10, 2010

Aloha mai kakou!

In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis – Greg Sardinha
• Herb Ohta, Jr. and Patrick Landeza – Olympia, WA
• Victor Ohana Hawaiian Band – Davenport, CA
• John Cruz tour
• Brittni Paiva – California
• Hawaii Book & Music Tour – California
• Makaha Sons – Whittier College
• Keali’i Reichel – near Seattle
• Arizona Aloha Festival – Tempe
• Kimo’s Hawaiian Grille – Chico, CA
• Honolulu Festival

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This week’s guest on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis is steel guitar master Greg Sardinha. Born and raised on O’ahu, Greg first learned to play electric organ (a la the Doors) in the late 60’s. Rather than sell cookies or any of the other traditional methods of raising funds to support their baseball team, he and his team mates sold tickets to dance concerts where the team itself provided the musical entertainment. Among his team mates? Ben Vegas, Mike Kaawa and the late Mackey Feary.

Greg later became interested in the Hawaiian steel guitar, after befriending the son of the late Hawaiian steel guitarist, Barney Isaacs, Jr. He often attempted to play the steel guitars that were in the family’s home, so Barney gave him a few tips which inspired him to study the instrument formally. He enrolled in lessons sponsored by the Hawaiian Music Foundation and received a music scholarship to take private lessons from the late great Master of Steel Guitar, Jerry Byrd.

In addition to steel guitar, Greg also learned to play regular guitar and ‘ukulele, and is accomplished in all. He has contributed to numerous recording projects with a variety of artists and genres, including traditional and contemporary Hawaiian, reggae, country, folk and jazz. He has recorded with local artists such as Ku’uipo Kumukahi, Sean Na’auao, Cyril Pahinui, Kalapana, Na Leo, Darrin Benitez, Karen Keawehawaii , Cecilio and Kapono, and others, as well as mainland/international artists such as Tim Coffman, Jim Messina, Renn Loa (of the Netherlands), and more.

Greg released his first solo album in 2006, entitled HAWAIIAN STEEL VOL 4 – Artistry of Greg Sardinha, on which he plays ‘ukulele, guitar and Hawaiian steel guitar. He now has six HAWAIIAN STEEL CDs to his credit involving recording artists Alan Akaka, Casey Olsen, Bobby Ingano, Paul Kim, Duke Ching and others. He also has a recording studio called “sma`Kine Recordings” and owns Keala Records.

Tony is on vacation for a few weeks, but join our guest host Amber Stone for Pakele Live! on Thursday, March 10, from 6-8 p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). There is no cover or minimum, although your purchase of two drinks, soft drinks, or food 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 the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/

(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.!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

An update about the Herb Ohta, Jr./Patrick Landeza concert and workshops in the Puget Sound area (Olympia/Tacoma/etc...): there is very limited space remaining for Herb’s ‘ukulele workshop on Sunday (March 14). Herb is a gifted teacher and an ‘ukulele virtuoso, so don’t delay if you’d like to enroll!

Earlier today I was informed that it might be necessary to cancel Patrick’s slack key guitar workshop, originally scheduled for the same date. Contact Kim at admin@oluevents.com for more information.

Tickets are still available for the concert on Saturday (March 13) at the Washington Center in Olympia. Don’t miss your chance to see one of Hawai’i’s most renowned ‘ukulele masters in action, and help him celebrate his 20th year in the recording industry! In addition, you can enjoy the slack key stylings of a native from the beautiful island of ... Berkeley! (Hint: Patrick’s new album will be out momentarily – be among the first to hear selections from it!)

(Pssst! California peeps! Watch for Patrick to hold several Bay Area CD release concerts next month... Herb may be a guest performer...)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Victor Ohana Hawaiian Band, with dancers from the Hula School of Santa Cruz will be performing in Davenport, CA at the Davenport Roadhouse (near Santa Cruz) on March 13 at 6pm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


John Cruz kicks off his latest tour with a stop at the Triple Door in Seattle on March 19. The tour then takes him to Oregon and California before he heads to Australia for several shows, followed by a stop at the Irish National Guitar Festival (north of Dublin). He then returns to the U.S. for a concert in Massachusetts, then travels north to Canada for three shows. For details on all of his tour stops, visit his website.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Brittni Paiva will be in California for three shows in March:

Friday, March 19 - Gordon Biersch (San Francisco), Aloha Friday Series, 6pm
Tuesday, March 23 - Borders Sacramento (2339 Fair Oaks Blvd), 7pm
Friday, March 26 - Gordon Biersch (Palo Alto), Aloha Friday Series, 6pm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Hawaii Book & Music Tour with founding HAPA member Keli’i Kaneali’i, slack key guitarist Ken Emerson, and a number of authors, continues on Saturday, March 13 with a stop at Borders Sacramento (4pm), followed by Borders Pleasant Hill on 3/14 (3pm), Stonestown Mall in San Francisco on 3/20 (1 pm), and Union Square on 3/21 (2pm).

Scheduled to appear at the Sacramento and Pleasant Hill Borders:

- Slack Key Guitarist Ken Emerson (in his Sacramento debut)
- Auntie Kealoha, an inspirational children's book author who is featured in the best-selling book Chicken Soup From the Soul of Hawaii
-Joanna Carolan and Keli’i Kaneali’i speaking and singing from one of Joanna’s husband’s (Dr. Carolan) children’s books – either Where Are My Slippers or A President From Hawaii
-Noted master dancer/chanter and songwriter Taupouri Tangaro will chant and discuss his book Lele Kawa Fire Rituals of Pele
-Author and award-winning canoe paddler Lurline McGregor will discuss the book Between The Deep Blue Sea and Me, a book about finding your identity as a Hawaiian in today's world.
-Lomi Lomi massage therapist Makana Risser Chai will present her books on Lomi Lomi.
-To conclude the program , founding member/lead singer of HAPA Keli`i Kaneali`i (with Garrett Santos and Chino Montero) will perform songs from his latest CD Kaua’i as well as hits from his years with HAPA.

Note: The Stonestown and Union Square Borders stores will host Ken Emerson, Joanna Carolan, Cheryl Tsutsumi, Deborah Turrell Atkinson, and Auntie Kealoha. The others listed above, including Keli’i Kaneali’i, will not be present at those locations.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Whittier College has announced the new date for the Makaha Sons Concert – part of its popular Aloha Series that had to be rescheduled due to the recent health problems suffered by Sons member John Koko. The new date for the performances will be Saturday June 26 (3 pm and 8 pm). Tickets for the original dates will be honored on this date. (If you are unable to attend the new dates, please return your tickets to the box office for a refund.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Keali’i Reichel and Halau Ke'alaokamaile will be at the Snoqualmie Casino Ballroom (outside Seattle at 37500 North Bend Way Snoqualmie, WA) on March 18 at 8pm. Tickets are $29, $59, and $89 and are available through Ticketmaster. 21 and over only.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Up and coming Hawai’i singer Anuhea, as well as Chadwick Pang (Manoa Voices) and Kimo Hussey are among those who will be at the 16th Annual Arizona Aloha Festival March 13 & 14 at Tempe Town Lake Beach Park in Tempe. The free festival features arts and crafts and food vendors, canoe paddling, music, Tahitian and Maori dancers, and Fireball performers and more, from 10am to 5pm each day. Groups from Hawai’i, California, Arizona, Nevada, New Zealand and the Cook Islands will dance Kahiko (ancient) and Auana (modern) hula.

This is an extremely popular event, with over 150,000 people attending last year and even more expected this year. Click here for more details and a schedule of events.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Those of you in the Chico, CA area – have you been to Kimo’s Hawaiian Grille? (999 Marauder St., at the entrance to the Chico airport. 345-8200). Satisfy your craving for traditional plate lunch, loco moco and more, prepared by chef/owner Kimo, who spent 15 years in the restaurant business on O’ahu and Maui. Open weekdays 10 am-3 pm. Closed Saturdays, Sunday and major holidays.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The 16th Annual Honolulu Festival takes place March 13-14. The free festival features music performed by people from countries throughout the Pacific Rim, and a wide variety of cultural performances and exhibits by more than 120 groups over two days at four locations: Hawaii Convention Center, Ala Moana Center, Waikiki Beach Walk, and Waikiki Shopping Plaza. Under the banner of “Pacific Harmony,” the festival’s theme is “Discovery Through Tradition.” Cultural exhibits and performing groups representing Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, Alaska, and Hawaii will be featured.

The exhibits and performances take place Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 3 pm. The festival concludes on Sunday with the spectacular Grand Parade along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, music performed by people from countries throughout the Pacific Rim featuring music, cultural demonstrations and floats, including the popular Daijayama, or fire-breathing dragon. The parade takes place from 4:30 to 8pm.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!

Pakele Live! To Hold Fundraiser for Family of Slain Mililani Grad, w/Kamaka Fernandez, B.E.T, “Champ” Kaneshiro & Kaleo Pilanca

Aloha mai kakou,
Just getting out a quick press release - please help spread the word! (I'll do a regular newsletter in a day or two.)

Pakele Live! with Tony Solis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT: Lynn Piccoli
(808) 292-0067
lynn@pakelelive.com

Pakele Live! with Tony Solis To Hold Fundraiser for Family of Slain Mililani Grad

HONOLULU — Kamakakehau Fernandez, B.E.T, and Comedians Blane “Champ” Kaneshiro and Kaleo Pilanca will perform in a March 4th benefit for the family of Patrick Shige Matsuda. Matsuda, 40, a Mililani High School graduate who was born and raised in Honolulu, was brutally beaten and stabbed in front of his home in Bakersfield, CA on February 7, 2010. Three men have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with his death.


Matsuda left Hawai’i in 1988 to attend CSU Bakersfield on a wrestling scholarship, and gained the distinction of becoming the only wrestler to qualify for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships for two consecutive years. He graduated with a degree in Physical education in 1993. An avid body builder, he won the middleweight National Physique Committee (NPC) USA championship title in 2001. At the time of his death, he was a Health, Safety & Environmental field representative for Helmerich & Payne International Drilling Company.

Matsuda was a dedicated family man, devoted to his wife Annette, and actively involved in the lives of his four young children; Whitney, Madison, Ciara, and Patrick. Upon receiving the news of his death, Tony Solis, host of OC16 TV’s Pakele Live! concert series and a former classmate of Matsuda, began organizing the fundraiser with the help of other classmates, family members and friends. In addition to performances by award-winning falsetto singer Kamakakehau Fernandez, local hip-hop/reggae duo B.E.T., comedian, bodybuilder and local TV personality Blane “Champ” Kaneshiro, and comedian Kaleo Pilanca, morning host on 102.7 FM Da Bomb, there will be raffle prizes. All funds raised will benefit the Matsuda children.

The fundraiser will be held from 6-8 pm on Thursday, March 4 in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (140 Atkinson Drive, Honolulu). Admission is free, but donations to benefit the Matsuda children will be gladly accepted. The concert will also be broadcast live at http://www.pakelelive.com/

Organizers of the event are still accepting donations of prizes to be raffled. Anyone wishing to donate items may contact Kehau Hatico at (808) 330-7459 or eztyga007@hotmail.com, or Tony Solis at (808) 348-0234.

###

February 24, 2010

Aloha mai kakou,
In today's newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis – Manoa DNA, Tony C, Herb Ohta, Jr., PALI, Alvin Okami and Friends
• Patrick Ching – Florida
• Mike Keale – Santa Cruz
• Steven Espaniola – Walnut Creek, CA
• Kamehameha Schools Ho'olaule'a - Honolulu
• Chris Yeaton – Honolulu
• Uluwehi Guerrero – Harrisburg, OR
• Herb Ohta, Jr. and Patrick Landeza – Olympia, WA
• Crackseeds of Comedy – Las Vegas, NV and Hayward, CA
• Amy and Eric – Kihei, Maui
• Kanikapila – Chicago
• Kapono Beamer, Jon Osorio, Kamau, Waipuna, Kūpaoa, Keola Beamer – Honolulu
• HAPA – North American tour

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This week Pakele Live! with Tony Solis is holding a special “KoAloha Ukulele Night,” with special guests Manoa DNA, Tony C (Conjugacion), Herb Ohta, Jr. (with Jon Yamasato and Scott Agena), PALI, and Alvin Okami and Friends.

Formed in 2005, Manoa DNA (the “DNA” stands for Dad [a.k.a. Lloyd], Nick and Alex Kawakami) are known for their three-part harmonies and their ability to captivate audiences no matter what genre they’re performing – Hawaiian to Latino, Surf to Folk, Adult Contemporary and more. Their first two albums generated four Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations, and they won the 2007 Hawaii Music Award for Contemporary Album of the Year. (Singer James Ingram is quoted as having said, “… and it doesn’t hurt that they’re easy on the eyes.” LOL! Beware of squealing female fans…)

Tony C. (Conjugacion) is an award-winning recording artist, composer, television personality, actor, producer, director, and kumu hula. He is one of the few artists that is successfully creating new, innovative work in both traditional and contemporary genres. In 1985, Tony’s debut recording, Hawaiian Passion, swept the major categories at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. This remarkable achievement was only the beginning of a recording career that has spanned more than two decades and produced 9 albums.

Herb Ohta, Jr., son of the world-renowned Ohta-San, began playing ‘ukulele at age 3, when his grandmother taught him to play “Happy Birthday.” Celebrating his 20th year in the music industry this year, this teacher, composer, recording artist, entertainer, and producer has performed on over 50 recordings – as a guest artist, as part of seven duet albums (with his famous father, with Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho, and with Keoki Kahumoku), and on his own solo releases, of which there are currently eight. Herb is a seven-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominee and a two-time Hawai‘i Music Award winner, and is widely regarded as one of Hawai’i’s top ‘ukulele players. He travels frequently to Japan and the continental U.S. to both teach and perform. He will be joined by Jon Yamasato (Pure Heart), and Scott Agena (Kawaihae).

PALI, named for its founder and band leader Pali Ka'aihue, is comprised of Brad Kawakami, Jenn Wright, Darin Jitchaku, Ken Lykes and Kaleo Van Titcomb. The group, with former member Mark Kawakami, won three Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards in 2009 for their double album, “…with Aloha,” as well as Contemporary Album of the Year in 2007 for their “Tribute” album. The band plays a variety of genre, from traditional and contemporary Hawaiian to surf, rock, and more. They travel frequently to Japan, where they have a large fan following, and each member of the group is an accomplished musician who also plays with one or more other bands. Pali himself is a composer, producer, engineer, vice president of the Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts, creator of the Pakele Live! concert series, co-creator and co-host of the television series Doko Ga TV!, and president of Hawai’i’s largest locally-owned internet provider (LavaNet).

Alvin Okami, founder of KoAloha Ukulele, is an inventor, innovator, composer/arranger, singer, accomplished oboist, industrial designer, and graphic designer. He started his musical
career as a singer, and soon ventured into musical composition, writing and recording his own songs. He accompanied ‘ukulele virtuoso Herb "Ohta-San" Ohta as a vocalist in the Waikiki nightclubs, and garnered praise from the likes of Matt Monroe (Born Free) and Doc Severenson (The Tonight Show). He then turned to one of his loves, the oboe, joining the Royal Hawaiian Band as the oboe soloist. He has also written tracks for commercials, one of which was featured in a national advertising campaign. He recently released a new CD, Just Uke and Me, featuring ‘ukulele masters Gordon Mark and Ohta-San.

KoAloha Ukulele began operations approximately 15 years ago, after Ohta San suggested that Alvin craft a miniature ‘ukulele for his sister’s store. Not satisfied to create a simple miniature, he embarked on a mission to make one that was tuneable and playable. Six months later he had an ‘ukulele measuring 5½ inches in length that was both playable and tuneable, exact in every detail, and painstakingly done by hand. He began crafting full sized instruments shortly thereafter, and KoAloha quickly developed a reputation for fine craftsmanship and high quality instruments, with each ukulele meticulously and lovingly crafted by hand. The Okami ohana continues to perpetuate the aloha spirit at their warehouse, in the community and around the world. (Note: Comedian Bill Cosby, an ‘ukulele enthusiast, was recently in Hawai’i and was presented with a personalized, hand crafted KoAloha ‘ukulele called a “Jukulele.” Alvin Okami later gave him a lesson at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.)

This special KoAloha Ukulele night will also feature several prize giveaways, including gift certificates to Hawaiian Moon (Aloha Wear), and two soprano KoAloha 'ukuleles with cases (retail value $590 each!).

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, February 25, from 6-8+ p.m. HST in the Pakele Lounge at the Ala Moana Hotel (410 Atkinson Dr., Honolulu). There is no cover or minimum, although your purchase of two drinks, soft drinks, or food 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 the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
(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.!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hawai’i artist Patrick Ching, known as Hawai’i's Nature Artist and who is an internationally known and respected painter, will do a presentation and two workshops at The Art School of Colleen Cassidy in Sarasota, FL (4613 South Tamiami Trail) on February 26-28. The presentation (Feb. 26, $40, or free to workshop participants) will include a techniques demonstration, art and nature slideshow, and Q & A session.

The workshops on “Realistic Painting” (Feb. 27 and 28, $250 – or $200 for the second day if taking both days) include canvas, paints and all materials needed to complete an 11”x14” painting. Patrick's Hawaii Realistic oil painting may be may be learned quickly. He will take the mystery out of his techniques, and in one day familiarize you with your paint and materials so that you will know how to attain the colors and effects you desire. You’ll be asked to look closer at the world than you ever have before so you can figure out what layers to paint first, and next, and next. You will be able to finish a painting in one day because you will be using GENESIS non-toxic, odorless oil paints. These paints dry only when you want them to. This allows you to do several layers of an oil painting in one day.

Click here for more information. (Note: Patrick Ching autographed art and books will be available throughout weekend.)

Visit Patrick’s Naturally Hawaiian Gallery at 41-1025 Kalaniana’ole Hwy. Waimanalo, Hawaii (O’ahu).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mike Keale will play a final (“we really mean it this time”) free concert at Aloha Island Grille in Santa Cruz on Friday February 26 from 5:30-8:30pm. Joining him will be Timmy Kukia Hunt, Patti Maxine, and Stan Meidinger.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Steven Espaniola will play a free concert at Tiki Tom’s in Walnut Creek, CA (1535 Olympic Blvd.) on Saturday February 27 from 6-9 pm.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Just a reminder that the Kamehameha Schools Ho'olaule'a will be held on Saturday, February 27th, from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm at the school's Kapalama campus, with music by Ka'ala Boys, Kupaoa, Hoku Zuttermeister, Weldon Kekauoha, and Leahi. (See my previous article on this for more information.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

O’ahu peeps! Big Island slack key artist Chris Yeaton will play a concert at the Atherton on Saturday, February 27 at 7:30pm. Chris doesn’t often play on O’ahu, so don’t miss your chance to see this talented artist. (I’ve been telling people for years to ask Chris to tell them the John Keawe story – complete with vocal imitations. It’s hilarious…) Tickets for the Atherton show are $25. Call 808-955-8821.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Halau Hula O Na Pua O Hawaii Nei of Eugene, OR is holding a fundraiser on March 6 featuring special guest, Nā Hōkū Hanohano and Hawai’i Music Award winner, Uluwehi Guerrero. Also included will be a luau dinner, and a performance by the halau. Limited tickets are available for $35. Doors open at 5:30pm, dinner is at 6pm, and the show starts at 6:30. The show will be at River Bend Resort, 23650 Peoria Rd, Harrisburg, OR. For more information and tickets, email Maggie at yasoualoha@comcast.net, or call (541) 484-5754.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

'Ukulele master Herb Ohta, Jr. and slack key artist Patrick Landeza will be at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, WA area on March 13 and 14 for a concert (13th) and workshops (14th).

For information and tickets for the concert, visit the Washington Center website. For information on the workshops, visit the ‘Olu events web page.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The Crackseeds of Comedy (Andy Bumatai, Mel Cabang, Paul Ogata and Kathy Tanaka) will bring their comedy routines to the Silverton Casino Lodge Events Center in Las Vegas (3333 Blue Diamond Rd.) on Saturday, March 13 for one show only. Tickets ($26 advance, $31 door) are only available by phone or at the Silverton Casino Box Office (702) 263-7777 Ext. 3129.

They will also appear at the Chabot College Theater in Hayward, CA (25555 Hesperian Blvd.) on March 19. Tickets are $23.88 advance, $28 door, and are available by calling Greg Escolta at (510) 410-1526.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I previously mentioned that Amy Hanaiali’i would join her brother Eric Gilliom and a full band for a series of brother/sister shows at Stella Blues in Kihei, Maui on March 6, 26 & 27. Word from Eric is that the full band consists of some of Maui and Hawai’i’s greatest jazz players, all of whom he and Amy have worked with for years. They we will be performing the music he and Amy were trained on: standards, Broadway, jazz, and a little Hawaiian. Reservations for these shows are highly recommended – the venue is intimate and sells out quickly. Call (808) 874-3779.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After a short break, the Tiki Terrace kanikapila in Chicago (1591 Lee St, Des Plaines) is returning on Wednesday, March 3 from 7 to 10 pm. Featuring live music by ‘ukulele instrumentalist Jon Prown from Milwaukee, teaming up for the first time with Chicago's own George Klinglehofer as Ili'wi Palena (7 to 8pm), with a kanikapila jam following from 8:15ish to close. Bring your ukuleles and come out for a good time! A special ‘ukulele is waiting to be raffled off to one lucky winner. If anyone has music to share, please email it to George at wgk001@aol.com and he will provide copies for everyone.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There will be a benefit concert from 6:30 to 9pm on Saturday, March 27 at Calvary by the Sea Church in Honolulu (5339 Kalaniana`ole Highway) for Lauae Beamer, daughter-in-law of Kapono Beamer. Lauae was diagnosed with breast cancer in January – and was eight months pregnant at the time. She has since given birth to a healthy baby girl, and immediately began cancer treatments. Family and friends have organized this concert (and silent auction) to help pay for the family’s medical expenses. Performers include Kapono Beamer, Jon Osorio, Kamau, Waipuna, Kūpaoa, and Keola Beamer. The silent auction will include sails on the Hōkūle`a, a stand up paddleboard donated by surfer Duane DeSoto, pieces from artists Solomon Enos and Peggy Chun, and items from musician Jack Johnson. Tickets are $25, $50, $75, or $100, and are available online or at Native Books / Nā Mea Hawai`i at Ward Warehouse (1050 Ala Moana Blvd. 808-596-8885). Information on how to make monetary gifts to the family is also available on the website. All seats are general admission.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HAPA will begin their North American tour next month! Here is a list of the dates and locations:

Tuesday, March 9, Des Plaines, IL Tiki Terrace 7:30pm

Wednesday, March 10, Chicago, IL Old Town School of Folk 8:30pm

Thursday, March 11, Houston, TX, McGonigels Mucky Duck 7:00pm

Friday, March 12, Austin, TX, Cactus Café, University of Texas 8:30pm

Saturday, March 13, Phoenix, AZ, The Compound Grill 6:00pm and 8:30pm

Wednesday, March 17, Cambridge MA, Passim Folk Music and Cultural Center 7pm

Thursday, March 18, Northhampton, MA , Iron Horse 7pm

Friday, March 19, Fall River, MA, Narrows Center for the Arts 8pm

Saturday, March 20, New York, NY The Sylvia & Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College 8pm

Sunday, March 21, Philadelphia, PA The Tin Angel 7pm

Monday, March 22, Annapolis MD Ram's Head 8pm

Tuesday-Wednesday, March 23-24, Vienna, VA Wolf Trap 8pm

Friday, March 26, Saratoga, CA Montalvo Center for the Arts 8pm

Saturday, March 27 Rohnert Park, CA Spreckels Performing Arts Center 8pm (with Faith Ako)

Sunday, March 28 Yoshi's San Francisco CA Two shows: 5pm and 7pm

Wednesday, March 31 Ashland OR Southern Oregon University Recital Hall 7:30pm
For tickets and more information please email john@midnightdesign.com

Thursday, April 1 Eugene, OR John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts 7:30pm

Friday, April 2 Portland, OR Aladdin Theatre 8pm

Saturday, April 3 Kent, WA Kentwood High School Performing Arts Center 7:30pm

Tuesday, April 6 San Luis Obispo, CA Downtown Brew 8:00pm

Wednesday, April 7 Santa Barbara, CA SOhO 8pm

Thursday, April 8 San Juan Capistrano, CA Coach House 8pm

Friday, April 9 La Jolla, CA Sherwood Hall Museum of Contemporary Art

Saturday, April 10 Whittier College, Shannon Center Whittier, CA 3pm & 8pm (2 shows)

Friday, July 23 Oceanside CA Grace Theatre Benefit for the California Surf Museum 8:00pm

Saturday, July 24 Descanso Gardens La Canada, CA 7:00pm

Sunday, July 25 Costa Mesa CA OC Fair
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!

Aloha mai kakou,
Kala mai (sorry) - a quick newsletter today… but more in the next one!

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis – Gospellers, Simple Souls, Mailani
• Steven Espaniola – San Francisco
• Bryan Tolentino – Kaneohe workshops
• Kani Ka Pila – Waimea Valley (O’ahu)
• New albums coming…

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This week’s guests on Pakele Live! with Tony Solis are: Kaoru Kurosawa from the popular Japanese a cappella group Gospellers (with Pali, Brad, Darin and Jenn from the PALI band, plus Zaysha from Simple Souls backing him up); Simple Souls; and Mailani.

Gospellers, an a cappella group consisting of five of Japan’s top male vocalists, has been performing pop, R&B and romantic ballads for almost 20 years. The group has released more than a dozen albums and over than thirty singles. In August 2000, as a prelude to the release of their album Soul Serenade, the group released the single "Towani," produced by Brian Michael (Mariah Carey). Combining a traditional Japanese melody line with contemporary arrangement, "Towani" was widely played on radio stations and became one of the group’s biggest hits. In 2005, Kaoru Kurosawa released a single and a mini album featuring a song called "Tooi Yakusoku" (The Distant Promise). He may perform both "Towani" and "Tooi Yakusoku" during his Pakele Live! appearance.

Simple Souls (Jenn Wright and Zaysha Labrador), bring their unique style and acoustic sound for a return visit to the Pakele Live! stage. Don’t miss Zaysha’s powerhouse vocals or Jenn’s extensive talent in all things percussion!

Mailani (Makainai) is also making a return visit to the Pakele Live! stage, with her band (Dr. Trey, Alika Boy IV, and Seann Carroll). Known for her work as a member of one of Hawai’i’s most popular female duos, Keahiwai (with Lei Melket), as well as the group MighTy J (which also included Jenn Wright), Mailani released her long-awaited, self-titled debut solo album in 2009.

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, February 18, 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.

(Reminder - the Pakele Lounge is again serving food!)

You may also watch the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/
(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.!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Steven Espaniola will play a free concert at Sundance Kitchen in the heart of San Francisco's Japantown on February 20 beginning at 9pm. Stop by for some great Hawaiian music & ono Asian/Hawaiian/Cali fusion cuisine. (1865 Post Street; 415-346-3246).

Also – check out Steven’s new blog “He Mana’o” for news, updates, and random musings!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The 'Ukulele Club of Hawai'i is sponsoring a workshop by Bryan Tolentino on Thursday February 18 from 6-7pm at Windward Mall Center Court in Kaneohe. This is a FREE workshop geared toward people who already have at least some experience playing the ‘ukulele, and it will be followed by a mini jam session. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from one of Hawai’i’s most in-demand ‘ukulele players! Bryan is the person who almost every other musician in Hawai’i (and beyond) calls when they need someone to accompany them on their album, and how to properly accompany someone is one of the things Bryan will be teaching.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The monthly kani ka pila (Hawaiian jam session) hosted by the Abrigo Ohana takes place Sunday, February 21 from 1-4 pm at Waimea Valley on O’ahu, with sound check starting about noon. Participation in the kani ka pila has been increasing every month, attracting not only local musicians, but also visitors from Alaska, Washington, California, and beyond. All ages and skill levels are welcome, and participants are free to come and go as necessary. Those who don’t play (or sing) but who simply love traditional Hawaiian music are welcome to come listen!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Watch for new albums coming soon from Kupaoa, Jody Kamisato, O’Brian Eselu, Natalie Ai Kamauu, and more!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pau for now, e malama pono a hui hou!

Aloha mai kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Pakele Live! with Tony Solis - Kiyoshi Kobayashi & the ‘Ukulele Orchestra of Japan, Iwao, and the Sekiguchi Band
• Outrigger Hotels One Million Hawaiian Miles sweepstakes
• Mike Keale – Santa Cruz
• Aloha Friday luncheon show – Waikiki
• Great Aloha Run – Honolulu
• Willie K, Keli’i Kaneali’i, John Cruz, and Kaukahi – Fallbrook, CA
• Waimea Heritage Days – Kaua’i
• Eric Gilliom, Barry Flanagan, Amy Hanaiali’i – Maui
• Herb Ohta, Jr. and Patrick Landeza – Olympia, WA
• Pakele Live TV schedule

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This week Pakele Live! with Tony Solis features three of the acts that will perform at Saturday's 'Ukulele Picnic in Kaka’ako Park: Kiyoshi Kobayashi & the ‘Ukulele Orchestra of Japan, Iwao, and the Sekiguchi Band.

The ‘Ukulele Orchestra consists of 26 players led by Kiyoshi Kobayashi, who began studying classical guitar in 1968 at the age of 13. He went on to play (and teach) jazz guitar, toured Europe as part of the "Tokyo Hot Club Band," established an ‘ukulele band, and more. In addition to supervising the ‘Ukulele Orchestra of Japan, he now leads the ‘ukulele teachers at Kiwaya Ukulele School and writes ‘ukulele instructional books.

Singer-songwriter Iwao is widely considered to be one of the best ‘ukulele players in Japan. After his start playing guitar, he was introduced to the ‘ukulele and was inspired by Ohta-San (Herb Ohta, Sr.) With 8 - 9 albums to his credit, he frequently plays with recording artists who travel to Japan from Hawai’i, including Ohta-San, Herb Ohta, Jr. and Jake Shimabukuro.

Kazuyuki Sekiguchi is the bass player for the Japanese mega-group the Southern All Stars, who released their first album in 1978. The band is the Japanese equivalent of the Rolling Stones or U2, with Kazuyuki himself having the status of Mick Jagger or Bono. After meeting Ohta-San in 1991, Kazuyuki added ‘ukulele to his repertoire. His passion for the instrument and his desire to share it with others ultimately led to his creation of the ‘Ukulele Picnic in Japan ten years ago. (Japan’s picnic draws over 30,000 people annually.) Last year he partnered with sumotori Konishiki to bring the picnic to Hawai’i, as a means to provide a bridge between Japan and Hawai’i.

Join host Tony Solis for Pakele Live! on Thursday, February 11, 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.

(Good news - the Pakele Lounge is again serving food! You can purchase a number of items, from calamari rings to sweet chili soy beans, burgers to pizza, shrimp and veggie spring rolls, fruit or veggie platters, pizzas and more!)

You may also watch the show live online at: http://www.pakelelive.com/

(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.!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Outrigger Hotels just announced a One Million Hawaiian Miles sweepstakes! Go to their
website and enter for a chance to win 1,000,000 Hawaiian Miles (Grand Prize) or 5 nights at an Outrigger resort in Waikiki (2nd prize – 3 prize winners). You must be a Hawaiian Miles member, but it’s free to join. See the official rules.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I previously mentioned a farewell concert by Mike Keale, who is returning home to Hawai’i, to be held Friday Feb. 12 at Bocci’s Cellar in Santa Cruz. There will also be a bake sale to help offset Mike’s moving expenses, as well as a calabash for donations. Joining Mike for this farewell concert is Timmy Kukia Hunt, as well as Vern and Vince Fernandez, Patti Maxine, and Stan Meidinger. Tickets are $10 (cash at door only), and dinner is available for purchase at a cost of $8.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hawaiian 105 KINE’s Aloha Friday luncheon show takes place Friday February 12 from 11am to 1 pm at the Kani Ka Pila Grille in the Outrigger Reef Hotel (Waikiki). Performers include Manu Boyd (Ho’okena), Amy Hanaiali’i, Eric Gilliom, Jeff Peterson, and more. Call (808) 924-4992 for reservations.

For those who can’t make it, a portion of the show will be broadcast live on the radio and online from noon until 1 pm on Hawaiian 105’s sister station – AM 940.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Over the past twenty-five-years, the Great Aloha Run - one of Hawaii’s largest participatory races - has raised over $8.1 million to benefit more than 150 non-profit health and human service organizations and community groups throughout Hawai’i.

This year’s run takes place on Monday, February 15. The 8.15 mile course starts at Aloha Tower in Downtown Honolulu, winds its way along the historic Honolulu Harbor, down Nimitz Highway, Kamehameha Highway and into Aloha Stadium. There are categories for almost everyone, from walkers, baby strollers, wheelchairs, etc, to elite runners who come from all over the world. Over 20,000 participants are expected. (Note: a number of road closures will affect traffic downtown. Click here for traffic advisories and road closure information.)


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jim and Reba at Mehe’ula Music Productions in Temecula, CA have been busy, busy, busy! Next up they’re bringing Willie K (February 24), followed by Keli’i Kaneali’i (March 9), John Cruz (March 27), and Kaukahi (April 16 and 17). They’ll also be bringing Hawaiian music to several locations in Colorado this summer!

All California concerts take place at Hukilau Restaurant in the Fallbrook Golf Club (Fallbrook, CA). Check out Mehe’ula’s new website for details.

NOTE! Dinner tickets for Willie K’s show are almost gone, although there are some general admission seats still available. Call (951) 972-0783 today to reserve your seats!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Waimea Heritage Days takes place at the Waimea Theater on Kaua’i February 15 – 18, with a film festival, a concert by Keale, hula, and more! For info, see the Waimea Theater website.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Maui peeps: Eric Gilliom and Barry Flanagan have been booked for more shows at Stella Blues in Kihei. They’ll be there every Saturday this month, plus Friday the 19th. Next month, Eric’s sister Amy Hanaiali’i (and a full band) will join him for a series of brother/sister shows: March 6, 26 & 27. Reservations are highly recommended – call (808) 874-3779.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Herb Ohta, Jr. and Patrick Landeza will be in concert at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts at South Puget Sound Community College (2011 Mottman Rd, Olympia WA) on March 13. The two will also be doing workshops on March 14 at the same location (only in Room 21-252) – Herb’s will be an ‘ukulele workshop, and Patrick’s will be a slack key guitar workshop. Stay tuned for more details!

Herb and Patrick will also be in concert in California in April. Currently scheduled is April 17 at Freight and Salvage, in Berkeley.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is the TV schedule for the next few weeks for Pakele Live! with Tony Solis. The show’s premier night is now Monday (9:30 pm HST) on OC16 TV or online. Each show is repeated a number of times throughout the week. The schedule is currently: Monday (5:30am & 9:30pm), Tuesday (3:30am & 1:30pm), Thursday (11:30pm), Friday (5:30am) and Sunday (11:30pm). There are also a number of shows available on demand on channel 15 for Oceanic cable customers in Hawai’i, or on the “shows” page on the OC16 website.

Week beginning:
Feb. 8 – Jeff Teves
Feb. 15 – Leilani Rivera Bond
Feb. 22 – Waipuna
Mar. 1 – Jeff Rasmussen
Mar. 8 – Keale & Kawika Kahiapo
Mar. 15 - Keale & Kawika Kahiapo, pt. 2
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pau for now – Hau’oli Lā o Lono-i-ke-aweawe-aloha (Happy Valentine’s Day) everyone! (Literally translated that means “the day of the god of love and mercy.”)