I would have loved to have been at the 30th anniversary celebration for Kumu Hōkūlani Holt-Padiila’s hālau on Maui this past weekend. Hōkūlani is one of the people on Maui who was a huge influence on me when I began the journey I’m currently on in the Hawaiian language revitalization movement, and she’s one of the many people on Maui that I miss tremendously. Ho‘omaika‘i iā ‘oe e Hōkūlani! Sounds like it was an incredible celebration.

Cecilio Rodriguez and Henry Kapono will be performing at the Hilon Waikokoa on Sept. 9 at the Hilton Waikoloa. Ticket prices are $45 for adults and $25 for children ages 5-12. Doors open at 7 p.m. C&K to begin at 8 p.m. Concert to take place in the Grand Ballroom

It is with deepest sadness that I let you all know of the passing of Haunani Bernardino. Haunani was a colleague, friend and inspiration to many of us here at UH-Hilo and throughout the state. She was a gifted musician, composer, arranger, and educator, and will be deeply missed.

The Honolulu Advertiser’s Zenaida Serrano offers a wonderful retrospective of the history of Kamaka family and the ‘ukulele that proudly bears their name. A fascinating read.

Steven Espaniola has begun his series of Hawai‘i performances. He will be at the Kona, Hawai‘i island Borders tomorrow, at the Kona Brewing Company, Koko Marina at 7PM on Wednesday, August 30, along with other O‘ahu Borders gigs. his series of Hawai‘i performances. Check Steven’s performance calendar for more detail. He will be joined at the Kona Brewing Company performance by Bryan Tolentino and Hōkū Zuttemeister. He’s also added a new performance at Don Ho’s on September 2, 9:30-2 for Keali‘i Blaisdell’s CD release party. Performers include Keali‘i Blaisdell, Steven, Darlene Ahuna, Moke Boy and Weldon Kekauoha.

I contacted Kāwika Kahiapo last week when I heard that he would be performing here with Brother Noland, Led Ka‘apana, Mike Ka‘awa and Brittni Paiva at the UH-Hilo Theater, and asked if he’d consider coming and speaking to my class (and others interested) about his life in music, his early influences and thoughts on Hawaiian music in general. Not only did he agree to come, he contacted Noland and asked him to come along as well. I didn’t find out until later that Noland also spoke yesterday for many students, talking about his philosophy of aloha. My students were spellbound by their talk, which I recorded for posterity. I’m going to send copies of it to both Noland and Kāwika, and if it’s OK with them may include it in a podcast.

If anyone ever wonders why I do what I do here on Nahenahe.net, you don’t have to look any further than this example. What I do here pales in comparison to the generosity that Hawai‘i musicians show every week. Mahalo iā ‘olua!

Kāwika’s recording with the group “Kaukahi” is now scheduled for October release. Of course Noland’s “Mystical Fish” came out several months ago and I featured it in a podcast around that time. You will also hear his music in the soundtrack for the movie “Snakes On A Plane.”

A day of Hawaiian music and food Saturday at Andrews Amphitheatre at the University of Hawai’i campus is scheduled to help raise money for Halau Ku Mana Public Charter School to relocate from its current home at Paradise Park. Scheduled musicians include Henry Kapono, John Cruz, Robi Kahakalau, Willie K, Oshen, Ooklah the Moc, B.E.T., Natural Vibrations. Andrews Amphitheatre at the University of Hawai’i-Manoa, 1-10 p.m. Saturday. [ From the Honolulu Advertiser ]

I tend to check the Ka Lale O Kaiona forum on Ka‘iwakīlouomoku regularly, but as it hadn’t been updated recently I had neglected looking at it for a while. There are several new essays by Kīhei and Māpuana De Silva there, and they are essential reading for students of Hawaiian mele. Included are discussion of two songs for Queen Emma’s trip to the summit of Maunakea, another Maunakea song, and the well-known “Ka Manu” which is frequently (though incorrectly) attributed to Alice Nāmakelua. While she did not compose it, we can thank her for the fact that we have this beautiful song today to cherish and enjoy. Mahalo nui to the De Silva’s for sharing their depth and breadth of knowledge on the site.

East Coast folk are in for a treat as Keali‘i Reichel takes to the road in September. He joins Led Ka‘apana and Hālau o Kekuhi at Wolf Trap on September 9. New Yorkers can enjoy “An Evening with Keali‘i Reichel” at the Town Hall in NYC on September 10 has been confirmed. Join Keali‘i, the band, and dancers for an intimate night on the island of Manhattan. Tickets on sale now!

Here is the tentative lineup for the 2006 Hawaiian Music Conference which will be put on in Kona on October 7, 2006 at the Keauhou Outrigger Beach Resort. The registration form is available as a .pdf; please fill it out and return it ASAP. I may will join the 2:30PM Promoting and Marketing panel and talk about the use of the Internet by artists and labels.

• 8:30 a.m. – Registration
• 9:00 a.m. – Opening– Meet the HARA Board – Celebrating 30 Years of Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards – Alan Yoshioka, Skylark Rossetti, Marlene Sai, Lea Uehara, Ku‘uipo Kumukahi, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Gaylord Holomalia
• 9:15 a.m. – Songwriting – Kenneth Makuakāne, Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Keli‘i Tau‘ā, Bill Ka‘iwa
• 10:15 – 10:30 – Coffee Break
• 10:30a.m. – The Music Business – Bill Meyer – Intellectual Rights, Kenneth Makuakāne – Making a Living in the Music Business
• 11:30 – 1:00 pm – Lunch Break
• 1:00 p.m. – Recording Your Music – Gaylord Holomalia, Charles Michael Brotman, Sonny Lim
• 2:15 – 2:30 – Break
• 2:30 p.m. – Promotion & Marketing – Tim Mathre, Aunty Maria, Jodi Brotman, Keola Donaghy
• 3:45 p.m. – Wrap Up – Mahalo – All Pau

There may be some additions an/or subtractions before the actual date; I will keep you all posted as it develops.

I forgot to mention that Friday, August 18 was Nahenahe.net’s 9th birthday. At least that was the date that I registered the domain name; it was actually launched a few years before when I was working at the MRTC on Maui, but those archives are long gone. Nine years and nearly 2,200 posts. Hard to believe. I didn’t convert it to it’s current blog format (though the term ‘blog’ wasn’t used until several years later) until October, 1997.

John Berger has pictures from this year’s Ka Hīmeni ‘Ana competition. Congratulations to Pilioha for the win and all entrants as well. I’ve not heard Piloha in person but have heard wonderful things about them. Could a CD release be in the near future? If I hear anything I’ll let you all know. If you hear anything, please let me know!

I came into my office today with the intent to get everything together for the class I’m teaching this semester (which starts tomorrow) and to record a new Nahenahe.net podcast. Only the first got done. Sorry gang. I thought of putting together a quickie, but hate doing that. Also, I really want to feature Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom‘s new CD in my next podcast and interview her, and just left a message for her. If I can get ahold of her early enough in the week to put a ‘cast together I will, otherwise it will have to wait until next weekend. BTW, both John Berger and Wayne Harada write glowing reviews in their columns this week.

The 24th annual Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar Festival is happening from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow at the Kapi’olani Park bandstand. Performers includePeter Apo with AJA Grample, Albert Ka‘ai, Dwight Kana‘e, Danny Carvalho, Taimane Gardner, Ozzie Kotani, Braddah and Kapua, Glen Smith and Horace Dudoit (of Ho’okena), Paul Togioka, Jeff Peterson, Michael Ka‘awa, Pali, Ledward Ka‘apana, Walter Keale, Bobby Moderow and Maunalua, Makana, David Kahiapo and Kaukahi. Admission is free. 226-2697.

Please go out and support the University Laboratory School this Saturday, August 19, and enjoy an evening of great entertainment with Hapa, Nā Leo, the Brothers Cazimero, Inoa‘ole, and more! Tickets for Holomua “Moving Ahead” are on sale now for $30 and will be $40 at the door. 100% of all concert ticket sales go to replace instruments that were lost. The concert will be held at the Andrews Amphitheatre, from 4pm to 10pm. Please see attached concert poster for details and ticket information.

The guitars of Mike Ka‘awa and Brother Noland which were stolen last weekend have been located and are safe at home. They both send their mahalo to everyone who helped spread the word about the theft, including all of the media outlets who publicized the theft, netizens who forwarded emails and friends and family who pounded the pavements and doors to help locate them.

I just got back from spending a pleasant hour and a half or so grooving to Zanuck Lindsey and Johnny Valentine at the Diamond Head Grill. Fantastic stuff, listened to them work their way through an eclectic mix of material by Tom Petty, Prince, Steely Dan and the Jackson Five. Superb guitar playing by both of them. If you are ever in the need for some entertainment on Wednesday or Thursday night, I highly recommend DHG, Zanuck, and whoever happens to be playing with him. Zanuck reports that he’s working with some friends on a Hawaiian recording, but that “it’s not going to be an our grandfather’s kind of Hawaiian music.” Knowing Z, I’d be shocked if it was. Looking forward to hearing it.