It was a long week. My colleagues and I travelled to Honolulu on Wednesday for Haunani Bernardino’s services at Kawaiaha‘o Church. It was very moving and the church was packed. A reminder – Harry B. Soria, Jr. has a tribute to Haunani on Territorial Airwaves, and will be playing music from Kaimana and an LP put together for the Ka Leo Hawai‘i radio program back in the 1970s. It can be heard on http://www.am940hawaii.com/.

John Berger’s Island Mele features three very interesting and diverse releases. First, Hula Records offers another compilation of Falsetto Contest winners, including New Jersey’s Bill Wynne, whom I’ve heard about for many years, and heard from for many years, but never actually heard at all. I was pleasantly surprised by his singing. Great job, Bill, and same to the other performers on the release. Also featured is Kulia I Ka Pu‘uwai, which features mainland kumu hula performing 19 chants date from the Kalākaua era. I have a copy and will see if I can podcast a few. Hula scholar Amy Ku’uleialoha Stillman did a wondeful job of bringing together the research and academic aspect of this type of historical project as well as the performance. Finally, SugahDaddy’s Darrell Aquino steps out on his own with a solo release which includes a Hawaiian composition by my colleague Alohalani Housman.

And a final reminder about the Hawaiian music conference that will be held in Kona next Saturday, October 7. I heard that there will be a performance featuring Bill Ka‘iwa and Marlene Sai, backed by Kenneth Makuakāne and others after the conference adjourns. That’s enough incentive for me to spend another night in Kona.

A final note – there will be no podcast tomorrow and perhaps none next Sunday either, as I will be in Kona for the music conference. If I have the time (and material) to put one together during the week I will, but most likely the next podcast will be Sunday, October 15.

We just received word that the CDs has been shipped by the manufacturer and they should be in the hands of retailers by the end of the week. Auntie Marie has a notification system set up on Mele.com where you can be notified the minute she has a new product in stock and ready for order. Kenneth has finished the final tweak of the release page for “Makuakāne”, please feel free to check it out as there are 30 second audio samples of each song available there, as well as the eLiners (extended liner notes) with full-page lyrics, translations and thoughts from the composers.

Kenneth is also going to be one of the presenters at the Hawaiian music conference that will be held in Kona in two weeks, and he’ll be talking about the business side of the industry along with attorney Bill Meyer. I’ll be there to talk about using the Internet to promote your music, and have been asked to appear at the Honolulu conference in November as well as the Maui conference in January.

One of the things that Kenneth and I have been doing in the background is to get some of the music from Makuakāne into the hands of podcasters ahead of time. Mahalo nui to Piko at the Hawaiian Concert Guide, Scott Waters at MacHelpMaui and my friend Conn in Ireland for including some of Kenneth’s music in their podcasts, and more.

Conn’s story is very interesting. He started out doing and Irish language podcast about technology issues, and has started a new one, An Líonra Sóisialta (“The Social Network”) which is also broadcast by 7 traditional radio stations, with more being lined up as I type this. He and I are certainly kindred spirits – too many blogs and podcasts and miscellaneous projects for our own good.

Keali‘i Reichel spares nothing when it comes to his Kūkahi productions, so to you folks on O‘ahu – don’t miss the chance to catch it this weekend. Wayne Harada talks to Keali‘i about Kūkahi and K’s upcoming Christmas release. John Berger does the same in his column at the Star-Bulletin, and also talks about K’s favorite eatery when visting O‘ahu. I’ll have to try it myself.

I’ve just been informed of the passing of Kawai Cockett, and will post more information when available. He was four days short of his 68th birthday. My fondest recollection of him was his performance at our Pūlama Mauli Ola benefit concert for the Pūnana Leo O Hilo back in 1995 or 1996. His was a powerful voice in more ways than one.

Here is coverage from The Honolulu Advertiser and the Star-Bulletin.

The Brothers Cazimero have an incredible catalog of recorded music, and among the many gems are their Christmas classics. I’m certain Caz Christmas will only enhance that legacy. It is scheduled for release on October 24, 2006.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement’s 5th Annual Native Hawaiian Convention is scheduled next week at the Hawai‘i Convention Center. For the second year in a row they’ll be coordinating the Hawaiian GRAMMY Awards Banquet on Wednesday, September, 27th, honoring all nominees. Confirmed nominees include: Raiatea Helm, Daniel Ho, Ledward Ka‘apana, and Sonny Lim. Participants will enjoy entertainment by Holunape and special messages by Charles Brotman and Danny Akaka, Jr.

They are also coordinating a Rock the Hawaiian Vote Concert on Friday, September 29th, featuring the Barefoot Natives, Eric Gilliom and Willie K., and Makana. This benefit concert is only $15, including pupus and a no host bar. All proceeds will be dedicated to the Hawaiian Way Fund, a philanthropic program supporting Native Hawaiian programs, and the 2006 Native Votes Count Campaign. Tickets are available at Jelly’s in Aiea, Hungry Ear in Kailua, UH Campus Center, the Convention registration desk and at CNHA (521-5011).

Wayne Harada has the scoop (sort of) Keali‘i Reichel’s first-ever Christmas CD, Maluhia, which is due out Nov. 21. It will contain a couple of traditional tunes, a hymn, new entries by Puakea Nogelmeier and a track composed by Ben Vegas called “Remind Me of Home.” There is one other new composition on there that didn’t get mentioned, I’ll give you the scoop on that later. He also talks about the anticipated Dec. 1 release of the The Mākaha Sons’ first DVD, “The Makaha Sons Live at the Hawai’i Theatre.”

Tickets are on sale now for Keali‘i Reichel’s Kūkahi Concerts at the Blaisdell Concert Hall. Tickets are $28, $38, $48, and $68 and can be purchased at the Blaisdell box office, or at www.ticketmaster.com, 877-750-4400.

Brown Bags to Stardom has been promoting our local high school talents for more than twenty years. Many of the past and current popular recording artist’s got their start by being involved with Brown Bags to Stardom. The Music Foundation of Hawaii is bringing back this popular local event. It’s going to be bigger, better and more exciting than ever before. Over 40 high schools, public and private, will be invited to compete in music videos featuring talents from within their own schools. The music videos will be aired weekly on Oceanic in a special Brown Bags To Stardom television series where  anyone with access to the internet can vote online.

Cecilio and Kapono, Ho‘okena, Weldon Kekauoha, Melveen Leed, Maunalua and Sean Na‘auao are the featured entertainers who come together to celebrate the Aloha Festival’s 60th anniversary. The concert begins at 6 tonight at the Waikiki Shell. Tickets are $20 general ($10 if you wear your Aloha Festivals ribbon), free for keiki younger than 12 in the company of an adult (lawn only). They’re available at the Blaisdell box office and Ticketmaster outlets; (877) 750-4400, www.ticketmaster.com. [ From the Honolulu Advertiser ]

A free concert at Kamehameha Schools will salute the 2006 Inductees into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame! 2006 Hall of Fame Inductees: Mahi Beamer. Nina Keali‘iwahamana, Emma Veary, Linda Dela Cruz, Charles K. L. Davis, Robert & Roland Cazimero. Sunday, September 24, 2006, 3:00 – 5:00 PM, Kamehameha Schools Auditorium. Free Admission, Free Parking. Calabash Donations Accepted. For more information, contact Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame: (808) 259-9074 or email hmhf@lava.net.

While it’s still about two weeks until the official release, there is a lot to talk about regarding Kenneth’s debut Hawaiian CD. First, Kenneth set up a MySpace Music page, and has posted four songs from ‘Makuakane’ on the site.

One interesting story regarding the release was our mad scramble to put the CD booklet together on a tight schedule. A graphic artist on O‘ahu did the cover graphic and I laid out the liner notes, lyrics and back panel insert, with the intent to hand them off to her. Turns out she wasn’t able to take that project on, so we had to seek outside help to pull all of the elements together and add the final luster to the package. That help came in the person of my Celtic cousin Scott Waters at MacHelpMaui. Scott talks about the process in his latest podcast. It was quite an adventure, and about 11PM last Thursday, about 9 hours before we needed to post the files to the printer’s server, Scott (on Maui), Kenneth and his wife Tasha (on O‘ahu) and I (in Hilo) were using iDisk to swap files and iChat to communicate the final changes and tweaks. The files made it on time, CDs are being pressed and should be delivered as schedule. What an adventure! Scott is a trained artist and computer graphics wizard. He hasn’t done a lot of CD work but I’m sure that will change when people see his work on ‘Makuakane’.

And from the Amazing Coincidence Department: Scott’s podcasting partner, Carmen Gardner, worked with Kenneth on Maui during his time with the group Mango on their “Romancin’ The Islands” release. Small, small world.

The Sons have been too busy to do a full newsletter, so have sent this update regarding their activities, performances, and their upcoming DVD release. Great news, and mahalo as always to Kāwikanui for keeping me, and you all, in the loop!

John Berger documents the McDiarmid family, Hula Records, and their love affair with Hawaiian music and contributions to recorded Hawaiian music.

Enter this year’s Aloha Festivals Male Falsetto Contest! Join co-hosts Harry B. Soria, Jr. & Karen Keawehawai‘i, at the: 12th Annual Aloha Festivals Hawaiian Falsetto Contest Friday, October 13, 2006. Doors open at 6:00 PM Contest begins at 7:00 PM Featuring Special Guest Artist: Raiatea Helm Also featuring a contest of talented male falsetto singers, with fabulous prizes, including cash, travel, and recording opportunities, and the induction of 4 more falsetto legends into the Falsetto Hall of Fame. The deadline to enter this year’s contest is fast approaching. For your application, call Aloha Festivals at 589-1771, or send an email to info@alohafestivals.com. Application deadline is September 11th, so hurry and enter now!

This is a final heads-up for folks on the east coast that Keali‘i Reichel has performances coming up in New York City and at Wolftrap in Virginia this weekend. Two weeks later, Sept. 23, Keali‘i brings the Kūkahi experience to Honolulu. Finally, his news page has information about his upcoming release. It will be entitled “Maluhia” and is scheduled for a November 21 release.

Wayne Harada reviews “Hōkūke‘e: The Legacy, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the rebirth of Polynesian sailing. Also reviewd are Kealoha Kalama’s “Encircling Love” and Taimane Gardner’s “Loco Princess.”

“Kalākau” features hula chants in honor of King David Kalākaua. Fifteen kumu hula perform a set of 15 mele composed for King Kalākaua’s Birthday Jubilee on November 16, 1886. Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai—Kumu Hula Association of Southern California, made history in 2004, when members presented this set live in concert in its entirety. Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai makes history again by sharing this set in its entirety on this recording. Full texts and translations are included. Curator for this project is respected hula scholar Dr. Amy Ku‘uleialoha Stillman. “Kalākaua” marks the launch of a series called “Legacy Hula.” Members of Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai engage with historical archival sources of hula chants, and are working to bring this legacy back to life onstage in performance. Volume 2, forthcoming, will feature hula chants honoring Queen Kapi‘olani. To learn more about Kūlia i ka Pūnāwai, please visit their temporary website at http://sitemaker.umich.edu/punawai. To order “Kalākaua”, please visit Daniel Ho Creations.