Kamehameha Ho'olaule'a
Desireé Cruz
On Saturday May 5, 2007 one need
not venture from this Moku o Keawe to find a few of the finest singers,
songwriters, and musicians in all the Hawaiian Islands. From Papahanaumokuakea
(the Northwest Islands) to Ka'u, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii has gathered
the best to celebrate the keiki o keia 'aina and to lend support to
the future educational goals of the families of our community. Organized
by a vibrant Parent Teacher Ohana, the Ho'olaule'a is a full day of
'onolicious food, best in the islands kine music, arts and crafts and
more.
In its tenth year, the annual fundraiser is the biggest event on the
Kea'au campus.
Following an opening blessing and performance led by Kahu Wendell Davis,
the Kamehameha Hawai'i Elementary and Middle School Hawaiian Ensembles
(under the direction of na kumu Moses Crabbe, Pumehana Silva, Melelani
Spencer and Kimo Kekua) will set the stage for an incredible line up
of Hawaiian music both traditional and contemporary. Come on by and
check out the following artists…
Darlene Ahuna
Four time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Darlene Ahuna began performing
at the tender age of six. Singing her heart out for an encouraging audience
of family and friends, she soon decided that her future lay in music.
When she was 14, her family moved from Kane'ohe to Hilo, where she began
playing rhythm guitar. While her classmates were grooving to Rock and
Roll, she was enthralled by the traditional Hawaiian music stars of
yesteryear, namely Genoa Keawe, Leilani Sharpe Mendez and Alberta Kalima.
All six of her CD recordings have been nominated for honors by the Hawai'i
Academy of Recording Arts. In 1998 she performed live at Carnegie Hall
with her contemporaries in Hawaiian music.
Slipping effortlessly in and out of falsetto range, Kamuela resident
Ahuna is a beloved fixture throughout the worldwide hula community for
her kaholo-friendly repertoire, and is adored by Hawaiian music fans
everywhere.
Randy Lorenzo
Randy Lorenzo is a seasoned professional with eleven Na Hoku Hanohano
awards to his credit. With more than 25 years invested in music he has
played side by side with others who have shaped this genre of modern
day island sound. An original member of Olomana, a versatile member
of Country Comfort, and the youngest musician in the legendary Gabby
Pahinui Hawaiian Band, Lorenzo also backed Cecilio and Kapono on the
hugely popular "Night Music" album. As a contributor to Keola
and Kapono Beamer's definitive, "Honolulu City Lights," he
went on to be a founding member of the Peter Moon Band.
Born and raised in Waimanalo, he has been an off-and-on resident of
Hawai'i Island for many years, playing venues from Hilo to Honaunau.
In 2005, he played on "Slack Key, Volume Two" which won the
first Grammy Award for Best in Hawaiian Music.
Despite his pivotal role in the music scene, Lorenzo remains refreshingly
humble and gracious. "I count my blessings everyday that people
actually pay me to play music. I'm so appreciative for this gift,"
he says. "It is a gift. The fact that my music can bring a smile
to peoples faces is just priceless to me…sounds corny yes, but
it's true."
On Friday nights, you can catch Lorenzo at the Emerald Orchid on Keawe
Street from 5 to 8 p.m.
Kainani Kahaunaele
With her debut CD release, Na'u 'Oe, Kainani Kahaunaele was named Female
Vocalist of the Year, Most Promising Artist, and Best Hawaiian Music
Performance honors at the 2004 Na Hoku Hanohano awards. It went on to
win Hawaiian Album of the Year at the Hawai'i Music Awards.
Hailed as a "modern day scholar of old style mele," Kahaunaele
is a UH-Hilo instructor of Hawaiian language and mele, as well as a
singer/songwriter and musician. She has been invited to perform at the
South Pacific Music Festival held in Fiji, and has performed on multiple
occasions in Japan and throughout Hawai'i and California.
Born on Kaua'i, she was hanai'ed at birth and raised in the old style
by her maternal grandparents in the Hawaiian homestead community of
Anahola. Traditionally, the first born grandchild was given to the grandparents
in order to learn their ways and to carry the teachings of the elders
forward, in essence a bridge from one generation to another.
Kahaunaele's future performances include promoting Maoli Arts and Keiki
Art Day in Honolulu and a fundraiser for Punana Leo o Kawaiaha'o.
Her voice is honest, straight forward and sure. Her hauntingly beautiful
original "Ka Hinano o Puna" became an instant hula classic,
but she is also comfortable in Jazz and Country infused arrangements.
She utilizes a revolving group of musicians known affectionately as
"The Wish List Band." The common denominator is that each
is "a cultural practitioner committed to serving our lahui."
'Ai Pohaku
The unofficial anthem of Hawaiian political resistance, "Kaulana
Na Pua " is also known as "Mele 'Ai Pohaku." Written
by Ellen Keho'ohiwa'okalani Wright Prendergast, the song was written
in defiance to the overthrow of Queen Liliu'okalani 1893. Borrowing
their name from this patriotic Hawaiian composition, Big island reggae
rockers 'Ai Pohaku are definitely a force to be reckoned with.
Fluent in 'olelo Hawai'i, "Ai Pohaku is Poki'i Seto is on lead
vocals and lead guitar, Kihei Nahale-a on rhythm guitar and vocals and,
Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing on drums. Other members are Grant Baclig on percussion,
Ekona Ravey on bass and Ricky Alaniz on keyboards.
By far one of the most popular bands East Side club scene, they are
well respected by their musical peers and swelling fan base. According
to Big island music insider Brandon Nakano, this is "music with
a purpose." Their "super tight three part harmonies' set them
apart from the rest.
Nakano credits Hawai'i Community College Hawaiian language and culture
Instructor Nahale-a for lending solid musical and political stature
to the group. Delivering a powerful package of mindful lyrical poetry
inspired by the passions and issues of the kanaka maoli, 'Ai Pohaku
is guaranteed to get the crowd moving.
Ka Leo Maoli
The Keawekane's are in da house! s Ka Leo Maoli will perform their favorite
contemporary island tunes for a hometown audience. Playing together
for "long time" Ka Leo Maoli promises feel good island music
with cousins Nathan on bass, Dwayne on guitar and Ronnie on ukulele.
Come, bring the family and spend the whole day or check out the schedule
and come in time to catch your favorite
Kea'au Village Idol
By the way…Puna is abuzz about the finals for the Kea'au Village
Idol '07. Whittled down from 30 contestants to a final five, a winner
will be selected on Saturday April 21, 2007 at the Kea'au Village Market.
The talented finalists include Gabriella Feola, 13, from Kea'au Middle
School, Camerie You, 13, of Waiakea Middle School, Oluremi Hammouri-Davis,
8, of Mountain View Elementary, Sheri Lozier, 16, of Hilo High and Arieka
Longakit, 7, of Ka 'Umeke Ka'eo Public Charter School.
Popular East Side vocalist Sherry Fox is priming the finalist while
B-97's Yisa Var lends her professional expertise.
'Ukulele virtuoso Brittni Paiva, Miss Kona Coffee '07 Tioni Tam Sing,
Elvis impersonator Dan Nix and Country singer Julia DeRego will join
in the fun. The celebration starts at 4 p.m. and promises to be a blast!
For more info contact Macanas at 966-6791.
Aloha a hui hou as the beat goes on…
Reach Desiree at islandbeat@hawaiiislandjournal.com
Kamehameha Schools Ho'olaule'a
May 5
9 a.m.: Opening remarks-MC Skylark Rosetti
9:10 Opening Pule Kahu Wendell Davis
No Ke Akua / Elementary School Hula & Praise Team
9:30 Na Lei Liko 'o Ola'a /Middle School Hawaiian Ensemble
10:00 Na Lei 'o Kaiona Elementary School Hawaiian Ensemble
10:30 Randy Lorenzo
11:15 Ka Leo Maoli
Noon Darlene Ahuna
1 p.m. Kainani Kahaunaele
2 p.m. 'Ai Pohaku
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