Skye and I were honored to perform at American Girl Place at 75 Rockefeller Plaza to celebrate the launch of Native Hawaiian doll, Nanea Mitchell. Her character grows up during World War II. We enjoyed performing Hawaiian songs and teaching young girls how to dance hula. We appreciate Nanea’s story of resilience, responsibility to others, and contributing for the common good — or kōkua, as it’s known in Hawaiʻi.
Mahalo American Girl!
Thank you to the Church of the Intercession and Nā Lehua Melemele for organizing this wonderful community event. There was hula dancing, lei making, kid activities, art, and more.
It was exciting to screen the film Sons of Hālāwa followed by performances by Jason Poole and Nā Lehua Melemele. I had the pleasure of playing a few songs for PUA ALIʻI ʻILIMA (The Royal ‘Ilima Blossom) and Halau Na Pua Mai Ka Lani Nuioka before the film screening.
Hālāwai was a sponsor.
It all started when I asked Kawika Kahiapo if I could surprise my wife by joining him on Kuʻu Pili Oha, a beautiful love song that my wife and I adopted as our wedding song. He said, “Shoots!” and I was on cloud nine!
Then this happened.
I am so glad to have been a part of this special evening full of healing friendships and performances. Here is my intro at 11:26.
Robert Cazimero once said, “We all can be made better for daring to dance.” I was a student in Keo’s New York kāne hula class – albeit a remedial student who never graduated beyond basic hula movements. On the other hand, watching Keo dance brought joy… there was bravery, courage, self-belief, and beauty in his movements.
Tonight it is my honor to perform a favorite song of Keo’s… one of Hawaii’s most blessed and beloved songs… Kanaka Waiwai.
Hawaii has lost another important figure in Hawaiian music, an ‘ukulele virtuoso, singer, composer, film producer and primary proponent of the 20th century Hawaiian Renaissance. Eddie Kamae passed away Saturday morning at age 89.
Thank you Evy Mayer and the Folk Music Society of New York, Inc. for producing and co-sponsoring another evening of traditional Hawaiian music and dance at the People’s Voice Cafe. It was a wonderful night of ukulele, slack key guitar, steel guitar and hula.
The Masters of Hawaiian Music Tour featuring multiple Grammy award-winning artists George Kahumoku, Jr., Ledward Kaapana, and Jeff Peterson returned to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 200 Main Street, Chatham, NJ on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. Proceeds benefited the church’s programs and outreach.
It was an honor to be a part of the Kuʻu Punahou: Campaign for Punahou School at The Glass Houses in New York. Besides the joy of meeting and jamming with Pal and Waileia Eldredge, it was fun comparing mutual friends and acquaintances. Thanks Punahou for having me at another fabulous event.
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