Aloha mai kakou!
In today’s newsletter:

• Makaha Sons concert cancellations
• Hawai’i Music Awards voting
• Discover Kaua’i event – Seattle
• Keale in concert – Honolulu
• Chris Yeaton interview
• Kani Ka Pila – O’ahu
• Any Hanaiali’i and Jeff Peterson – Fallbrook, CA
• “Lost” Season Premier sneak peek – Waikiki
• E Pili Kakou – Kauai
• Kani Ka Pila – O’ahu
• Florent Atem video

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For those who haven’t yet heard, the Makaha Sons’ concerts at Whittier on January 16 and Yoshi’s Oakland on January 19 have been postponed due to the ongoing health problems of band member John Koko. Both concerts may be rescheduled at a future date. (Contact the venues for information on ticket refunds. Whittier staff initially indicated that you could hold on to your tickets and use them when the show is rescheduled, but contact them for clarification.)
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The voting for the Hawai’i Music Awards (a “people’s choice” type award) started today on the HMA website, and will continue for two weeks. You are limited to one vote per email address. (Note: I logged in today and had problems with the site skipping categories or putting me on a page with entrants in a category other than the one I clicked on. In addition, there are some broken links to artist pages and some entrants who are not yet posted… I’m hoping they’ll resolve these problems soon!)
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Seattle area peeps! Get warmed up for Amy Hanaiali’i’s concert at Triple Door (Monday, Jan. 18) by heading to Northgate Mall Saturday (Jan. 16)! They’re hosting an “Escape Winter - Discover Kauai” event from 11 am to 1 pm. There will be Hawaiian music (falsetto and slack key by Kauai's Nick Castillo, hula by Noelani Kaui, Kauai's reigning Miss Garden Isle), and prize giveaways - including a free trip for two to Kauai that includes complimentary airfare, accommodations, and activities. There will also be Kauai-made products, including Kauai Coffee (I’m a big fan of their coffee!), Kaua’i Cookies (ditto – sigh…), and other products. Presented by the Kauai Visitors Bureau. (Northgate Mall is located at 401 NE Northgate Way, Seattle - five miles north of downtown Seattle off the Interstate 5 corridor at exit 173.)

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Keale will be in concert at the Atherton Theater in Honolulu on Saturday Jan. 16 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25 general, $20 for Hawai’i Public Radio members and $15 for students with ID. Call the Atherton for reservations: (808) 955-8821.

Keale will be performing songs from his new album Kawelona – Ride the Sun. He’ll be joined by Don Kaulia on guitar; Bill Griffin on ‘ukulele and mandolin; and Chris Lau on upright bass.


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Don Bradway will be doing a live call-in interview with slack key guitarist Chris Yeaton on his “Na Mele o Hawai’i” radio show Sunday, Jan. 17. The show airs on KFOK fm from 3-6pm Pacific time (1-4pm HST), and may be heard online or at 95.1 FM if you’re in the Georgetown, CA area. (As I mentioned in my last newsletter, Chris began his mainland tour on January 10.)
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The monthly kani ka pila hosted by the Abrigo Ohana takes place Sunday (Jan. 17) from 1-4 pm in the Pikake Pavilion at Waimea Valley on O’ahu. Bring your instruments, or just come listen and enjoy! In addition to the Abrigo Ohana, some of the regulars include Uncle Ronald Kanahele, Derek Higa, Duke Domingo, and more. Other musicians who have attended include Greg Sardinha, Ozzie Kotani, Peter Medeiros, Chino Montero, Kalei Gamiao, Kamaka Fernandez, Derek Mau, Doug Fitch, Fran Guidry – and many more!

The kani ka pila is open to all ages and skill levels. No shame if you’re a beginner, just come join the fun! (No outside food is allowed at Waimea Valley. However, food and drinks are available for purchase on the grounds.)
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So Cal peeps! Multiple Grammy Award nominee Amy Hanaiali’i and Grammy Award winner Jeff Peterson will be in concert Tuesday January 26 at Hukilau Restaurant in the Fallbrook Golf Club (2757 Gird Road).

Dinner Tickets for PRIORITY SEATING ~ $35.00 (Includes choice of Hawaiian Plate Dinners)
General Admission ~ $25.00

Dinner ~ 6:00 p.m.
Jeff Peterson ~ 7:30 p.m.
Amy Hanaiali'i ~ 8:30 p.m.

Amy will be accompanied by her all-star band: Chino Montero, Stephen Jones, and Jeff Peterson.

Tickets are selling fast, so reserve yours today by calling (951) 972-0783. (First come, first served basis.) For more information, email MeheulaMusic @ aol.com

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Die-hard "Lost" fans will want to be in Waikiki on January 30, when Hawai’i will get a sneak peek of the first hour of the season premiere. “Lost” begins its final season on February 2 at 8pm HST on ABC.

The show’s stars and producers will begin arriving at Sunset on the Beach via a red carpet at 5pm. The season premier of “Lost” will begin after the showing of the season premiere of “Modern Family” (another ABC show), which is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm.

Thousands of people are expected to attend. (If the online chat rooms are any indication, we’ll have fans here from all over the world!)
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This years’ E Pili Kakou (Kauai) will be held February 26-28 at the Kaua’i Beach Resort.

E Pili features workshops in oli, hula kahiko, hula `auana, feather work, and more, taught by some of Hawai’i’s most distinguished kumu (teachers). The arts and crafts sale and evening performances on Friday and Saturday are open to everyone, including those not registered for the classes.

This year’s kumu (subject to change) are:

Uncle Ed Collier (the 2009 Honoree)
Auntie Ku’ulei Punua (Kauai 2010 Honoree)
Maelia Lobenstein-Carter (O’ahu)
Leilaloha Amina, Kona
Charles Kaupu, Maui
Leimomi Ho, O’ahu
Sonny Ching, O’ahu
Michael Keala Ching, Kona
Healani Youn, Kauai
Kealoha Kalama, O’ahu
Pohai Souza, O’ahu
Tuti Kanahele, Ni’ihau
Keali’i Ceballos, CA
Michael Kop, O’ahu
Halau Na Pua ‘O Kukui (Kumu Ed Collier)
Auntie Paulette Kahalepuna (O’ahu)
Queen Lili ’uokalani Children’s Center

And Special Guest Appearances!

Those who need hotel rooms qualify for a special rate at the Kauai Beach Resort (formerly the Hilton Kauai Beach), the host hotel. Rooms are $139 per night for up to 4 people. To qualify for the special rate you must contact Kahea (Jaelynn Caminos) at (808) 246-5518 or by email at jcaminos@aquaresorts.com. (Do NOT use the Hilton website to reserve your rooms for this event!)

To register, or for more information and each days’ schedule, visit the E Pili Kakou website.

Note: I’m still awaiting word on whether or not E Pili will return to Sacramento this year!)
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And finally, here’s a video of two-time Grammy nominee Florent Atem of Tahiti. He and his sister used to perform on O'ahu with Henry Kapono at Kapono's (and sometimes at Duke's on Sundays), although it’s been awhile since they were last in Hawai’i. Even if the music is not to your taste, his skill on guitar – and the new technique he created - is amazing! (For those who like something a bit more quiet, here’s a nice medley he and sister Carole did of Ku’u Home o Kahalu’u and Ha'amana'o.)
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Pau for now – e malama pono a hui hou!