1998 Archives

nahenahe, vs. Soft, sweet, melodious, as music or a gentle voice.

- the Hawaiian Dictionary, Revised and Enlarged Edition, Mary Kawena Puku'i & Dr. Samuel H. Elbert.

12/25/98 - Mele Kalikimaka ia kakou pakahi a pau, and hau'oli la hanau to my brother Robb in L.A. Have a safe and happy holiday weekend, everyone.

12/23/98 - I heard that Henry Kapono suffered a broken leg last week in an onstage accident. He got up and finished the show before going to the hospital. Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Henry.

An R-rated Country music joke. No one under 18 admitted without adult supervision!

12/22/98 - It is truly pathetic that in this time of joy and sharing some scumbags take pleasure in another's misery. O'ahu guitarist Zanuck Kapala Lindsey recently had his van stolen, and though the van was recovered, the tools of his trade weren't. If you have any info, please contact HPD.

12/21/98 - I caught Led Ka'apana at Borders Hilo yesterday. The sound guy and system left a lot to be desired, Led's partner Alika broke 3 of his 12 strings in the first couple of songs and had intonation problems for the rest of the set, but none of it phased Led in the slightest. He burned, as always. Great harmonies between Led and Alika as well.

There is also a report that Led is the subject of an interview in EQ Magazine this month, however, it does not yet appear on their website.

12/20/98 - It's a great Hawaiian music day: Teresa Bright will be appearing at Borders Waikele at noon, Ledward Ka'apana at Borders in Hilo this afternoon at 4 PM, and the Makaha Sons in concert at the Pagoda.

12/19/98 - Maunaleo, Keali'i Reichel's new song from the Pride of Punahele compilation, is finally getting some airplay in Hilo. How is it doing in the rest of the state? He did a wonderful performance of it on last night's Emme's Island Christmas special.

Susan J's mid-December Hawaiian Music Report is online.

Hau'oli la piha makahiki ia Auntie Maria, and mahalo for the years of work in supporting Hawaiian music in Cyberspace.

12/18/98 - NahenaheNet has had an up and down week. Our ISP has been doing major system maintenance for the past 36 hours, so connectability has been sporatic. Sorry for any inconvenience. Email to keola@nahenahe.net was also being refused by the system. If you sent me anything Thursday or Friday and got no response please feel free to email me again.

12/17/98 - Dennis Kamakahi has posted a preview of his new CD, due for release on January 12. That's some very outstanding photography and graphic work there.

Birthday wishes also go out to Bobby Ingano.

12/15/98 - The Hawai'i Naniloa Hotel in Hilo will be doing a series of Thirsty Thursdays featuring a number of different acts. Last week Maui's Sly Dog was joined by Hilo's Sudden Rush and J. Moki Cho. On January 14th, they will feature Kekuhi Kanahele, Kuhio Blend and Kahikina at the Crown Room from 6 to 9 PM pm.

12/14/98 - Monkeypod Records of Moloka'i has announced the release of Moloka'i Now!, a CD compilation of music from The Friendly Isle. The CD features 15 original songs about Moloka'i composed and performed by Moloka'i musicians and songwriters. It is currently available direct from their website, in stores on Maui and Moloka'i, and will soon be available statewide through Olinda Road Distribution.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Hawaiian music, but here is a great quote from an interview with new University of Hawai'i head football coach June Jones. It really makes you feel good about living in Hawai'i.

12/13/98 - A night with Cecilio and Kapono in Hilo.

Justin (Justin Young) has a great looking new website.

12/11/98 - I've been hearing for nearly a year now about what a fabulous songwriter Guy Cruz is, and his debut album is finally out. So what do Hilo DJs play first? A remake of Simon and Garfunkel's Me And Julio Down By The Schoolyard. Come one, people! Give us some credit for appreciating originality!

12/10/98 - Attention O'ahu fans!! Keali'i Reichel will be making an appearance at at Border's Waikele at 4pm this Saturday, December 12. Get there early if you want a good seat, or even if you want to get into the store!

12/8/98 - Here's a blast from the past -Summer has a website and new CD out. They came out shortly after C & K and Kalapana in the 70s, and vanished as quickly as they appeared. Be forwarned: the host site of their page puts up really annoying floating advertisements every time you load a new page.

12/7/98 - The Hilo-based band Kahikina will be Makela's special guests this Sunday (December 13) on Alana I Kai Hikina. They will be performing live in the studio and chatting with Makela ma ka 'olelo Hawai'i wale no.

Word just in from Auntie Maria about releases due very soon...

Judgement Time, by Guy Cruz, street date 12/10

A Traditional Hawaiian: Na Mele Maoli, by Kawai Cockett, street date unknown

12/6/98 - Got Sherlock?

Just in case you were curious about NahenaheNet.

12/5/98 - Susan J's early-December Hawaiian music report is online. The rush to meet the end-of-year Na Hoku Hanohano deadline is on! Great reviews of Pride of Punahele, Kekuhi, Ku'uipo Kumukahi's latest, and more!

Would you have thought that there would be a great Hawaiian Music Industry Directory housed in Australia? Well there is.

12/3/98 Dennis Kamakahi has put up a concert schedule for the next couple months, and announced that his next CD will be released on January 12, 1999.

12/1/98 - More changes on Kekuhi Kanahele's update page. Sister is all over the state this month promoting her new CD.

Keali'i Reichel will be at Border's Ward Center this Saturday, 12/5 at 5pm, and and on 12/12 at Border's Waikele at 4pm. I heard that he signed autographs for 3 hours at Sam Goody's last week.

Mango Moon Pictures is a California-based television production company currently developing a television magazine-style series for national PBS called Voices of Hawai'i.

I just found out John Cruz has a website, but there is no mention of any impending release from him. Why doesn't anybody tell me this stuff!

Island Heat Records is a new label based in Honolulu and San Diego. Their debut release is U Da Kine by Keni, their sole act at the moment. It was produced by Gaylord Holomalia and is being distributed by Olinda Road Distribution. Street date - December 10.

Hilo's end-of-year blast is set: Cecilio and Kapono at Edith Kanaka'ole Stadium, Saturday, December 12, 1998, 7:30 p.m. I've been told they'll have a 7 piece backup band. I got my tickets already!

11/28/98 - One of the nice things about the holidays is the number of music specials on TV featuring island artists. Check the Island Christmas page once in a while to keep track of them. If a better version of "Oh Holy Night" than Willie K.'s has ever been recorded , I've never heard it.

11/27/98 - For those who had trouble listening in to the Alana I Kai Hikina broadcast with Kekuhi Kanahele last Sunday, our apologies. The University network went down shortly before the broadcast. We will try again this Sunday, unfortunately no Kekuhi this time. There will be a lot of great Hawaiian music with 'olelo Hawai'i wale no during the broadcast.

If it seems I've been getting more active with posting news and updating sites on NahenaheNet, you're right. I moved over website development to a program I've used for a few years to maintain Kualono, its called Frontier, and it's the bomb. Makes it really easy (and fun) to do updates and maintain the site.

11/26/98 - Hau'ula has a CD release, and their website has gotten a nice facelift. They can be found performing most nights at the Maui Prince Hotel in Makena.

I've also updated the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts website, it includes a list of new directors installed at the November 20 meeting, and a new category for the 1999 awards.

Hau'oli La Ho'omaika'i ia kakou a pau! Happy Thanksgiving to us all.

11/25/98 -Wow! Two killer releases on the same day (actually yesterday)...

Pride of Punahele - A compilation of the finest in contemporary Hawaiian music as recorded by Keali'i Reichel, Kekuhi Kanahele, and Uluwehi Guerrero on their Punahele Productions releases. Also featured is a new composition by Keali'i for his mother, entitled Maunaleo. Audio samples of the previously released material and Keali'i's new song are available.

Kekuhi - Kekuhi Kanahele's second release shows no signs at all of the "sophomore jinx" that plagues many Hawai'i-based recording artists. Same raw, powerful voice that we all experienced on her debut, combined with incredible Hawaiian lyricism by Kekuhi's husband Kaipo Frias. Audio samples also available for this.

Its good to be a Hawaiian music fan this time of year.

11/20/98 - Belated birthday wishes go out to Uluwehi Guerrero! Hau'oli la hanau ia 'oe, hau'oli la hanau ia 'oe...

11/19/98 - More changes on Kekuhi Kanahele's update page to keep track of appearances and events related to the release of her eagerly awaited new CD. If you are a Kekuhi fan you might want to check this page periodically, it will be updated frequently over the next week or so. Her website has also gotten overhauled, graphics from the new CD, PR material and more.

11/18/98 - Susan J's mid-November Hawaiian music report is online.

Hawaiian steel guitar legend Bobby Ingano has finally released his debut solo CD, Steel Reflections, on BB Shawn's Flying Solo Music label, and has a website to boot! You can also order the CD directly from FSM.

Bobby has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in Hawaiian music over the past twenty seven years. You've probably already heard him but didn't know it!

Another interesting bit of Hawaiian music history: Alice Namakelua did not write Ka Manu.

11/17/98 - Kekuhi Kanahele will be appearing on the KITV-TV morning news on Friday, November 20, singing songs to promote her upcoming CD. I've been told that radio stations should have the CD to begin playing songs by Friday, November 20, and that the CD should be in the stores the following Tuesday (Nov. 24). Thanks for the corrections, Sean and Suzie!

11/15/98 - Six weeks and counting until the end of the year. This week we'll see Bobby Ingano's debut release, the follow week Punahele Productions compilation disc and Kekuhi's new CD. I was told Kawai Cockett will have a new one out before the end of the year. Anyone else have insight into what other releases we can expect before the end of the year? Email me, please.

11/13/98 - Some research into the origins of the song Kanaka Waiwai.

11/12/98 Dennis Kamakahi Productions presents the Slack Key Jam Series - Hana Hou!!! Sunday, November 22nd from 6- 9 PM at the lobby bar of the Hawaiian Regent Hotel.

Makela Bruno will host a web-chat that will be open during the live broadcast of Alana I Kai Hikina in Hilo (KWXX - 94.7 FM) and on the web via RealAudio. 'Olelo Hawai'i will be encouraged, but not required during the chat. Details and a link to the chatroom will be posted on the Alana I Kai Hikina website this weekend. You can now send your requests to Makela live during the broadcast!

11/11/98 - We can be very thankful for the work that Dancing Cat Records has done in recording and promoting slack-key artists over the past few years. However, because of the number of quality artists on their roster (and their PR budget), it is easy to overlook outstanding slack-key guitarists who are not on the DC label. John Keawe is one of those artists who really deserves mention when discussions turn toward the most gifted ki ho'alu artists of our time. If you're a ki ho'alu fan and haven't heard John, you should really give him a listen.

11/7/98 - Kapualiko Productions has a new website, just in time for the long-overdue solo release by Kohala's Lorna Lim. The will be able to take secure orders in a few days, and concert and gig info for Lorna and the Lim Family are online. The album has some nice original material, Ku'uipo, Aloha Au Ia 'Oe is getting major airplay on radio stations here in Hilo.

I get a lot of people writing asking "Why hasn't (artist name here)'s page hasn't been updated in weeks-months-years". Well, if I don't hear from them their pages stay the same. I'm too busy to go chasing people for updates, concert info and other news. If they send me information it goes up on their page, if they don't, nothing continues to happen. If you see (artist name here), ask him-her-them to send me info.

10/24/98 - Susan J's latest report is up, albeit a little late.

3D (David Kahiapo, Del Beazely and Dwight Kana'e) has a new album and a website.

10/22/98 - Great news for fans of Kalapana, KGMB will be broadcasting a 25th anniversary special on Island Music, Island Hearts this Saturday at 7 PM.

10/15/98 - November 24, 1998 will be a big day for fans of Keali'i Reichel, Uluwehi Guerrero and Kekuhi Kanahele. And remember you heard it hear first (I hope).

9/16/98 - My sources inform me that Kekuhi Kanahele's second CD will be ready "any time now", and that Kawai Cockett, Na Hoku Hanohano Male Vocalist of the Year a few years back, will have a new release before the end of the year. 3D (Del Beasley, David Kahiapo and Dwight Kana'e) should also have their new release in the stores any day now. I think we can expect a glut of releases before the end of December, its been too long now for too many artists. Yeah, when the heck is Olomana going to ship another recording! C'mon, Jerry!

9/15/98 - Lots of hot news from sunny Hilo...

KWXX radio has gotten their website up and running, just in time for East Hawai'i's concert of the year: The Mauna Loa Downtown Ho'olaule'a! There will be plenty of the Big Island's finest performing, including Harold Kama, Jr, Darlene Ahuna, Bruddah Walta, and others, and such notables as the John, Ernie, and Guy Cruz, and Cyril Pahinui. Check out the Ho'olaule'a website for more details.

Kaheke Productions is looking for a band, preferrably Hawaiian or contemporary Hawaiian, to play at Anna Banannas in Honolulu. The pay is not substantial, so they're not looking for a big-time performer, perhaps an artist or a group looking for some exposure. Please contact Kaheke@hotmail.com

Don't forget about Alana I Kai Hikina, broadcast live via Real Audio every Sunday evening from 6-8 PM Hawaiian Time. It's all in 'olelo Hawai'i (Hawaiian language). Makela does take advanced requests and dedications that are sent out during the broadcast.

9/1/98 - She's baaack, and her latest report is heeere. Highlights - new slack key releases from Cyril Pahinui and Ray Kane!

8/19/98 - Willie K. and Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom will be appearing at Borders in Hilo this Saturday, August 22. Also heard that Darlene Ahuna will be playing Friday evenings at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel on a regular basis.

John Cruz played at Pahoa Lounge this past weekend, and Brother Noland at the UH-Hilo cafeteria (about 100 yards from my office) during lunch today. Nobody I talked to heard about either until after they were over. Come on, guys, how about a little PR!

There is no Mid-August report from Susan J, she'll be back with a comprehensive report and plenty of reviews in early September.

8/16/98 - Hau'oli Piha Makahiki ia Aunty Nona Beamer! I think she's been celebrating her 29th birthday for longer than I've been walking this planet, but she still looks great!

8/14/98 - Finally! There's a great concert in Hilo on Saturday at Edith Kanaka'ole Statium, a benefit for Ka 'Uhana Hemolele o ka Malamalama Church in Keaukaha, featuring Kekuhi Kanahele, Harold Kama Jr., Darlene Ahuna, Russell Mauga, Naupaka, and others. $10 admission includes a Hawaiian plate lunch. I guess my whining about no Hilo concerts this year paid off.

8/10/98 - Monkeypod Studios is recording and producing homegrown Moloka'i talent. I haven't heard his CD yet, but Sterling Kalua is an amazing talent. I sat in a few times with him at Pau Hana Inn back in the early 80s.

7/31/98 - www.na-leo.com is open for business. The ladies and I have been working hard to update the site, and you can order Na Leo recordings directly from them now.

Alana I Kai Hikina, the Hawaiian language radio show produced by the 'Aha Punana Leo and radio station KWXX in Hilo is going to be broadcast every Sunday evening over the Internet using RealAudio! Check the homepage for details.

Kekuhi Kanahele was on the KHON Morning News this morning. I caught the last song, I assume its off of the new CD. Sister was awesome, as always, can't wait to hear the rest of it. Well, I already know one song that's going to be on it, an incredible piece for Ruth Ke'elikolani written by Kaipo Frias with music by Haunani Bernardino. Its a killer!

7/30/98 - Cyril Pahinui can be emailed via his hula dancer Mokihana.

Just got word that the big Hilo concert this summer is Ehukai, The Rising Tide, and Bruddah Walta at the Naniloa on August 21. No offense to these guys, but it has been a lousy summer for Hawaiian music in Hilo. People in California are getting more Hawaiian music than us. That blows big time.

7/25/98 - The lovely and talented ladies from Na Leo Pilimehana have a big surprise in store. Check back next week for details.

So, its been nearly two years since John Cruz released Acoustic Soul, nearly a year since the breakup of the Ka'au Crater Boys. They were talking about a Cruz Brothers CD with brothers Ernie, Jr. and Guy. Anybody know what's happening with that? Just curious. Email me.

7/19/98 - Sean Naleimaile, AKA Sean the Hilo Bassman, has his own website. Sean backs Kekuhi Kanahele, Bruddah Walta 'Aipolani, and just about anyone in Hilo in need of some solid low end frequencies.

7/18/98 - Susan J's Mid-July report is online. Not too many new releases but a great lineup of summer concerts here and on the mainland.

KHON TV is replaying the Hawaiian Pathways special that aired a few weeks ago today (Saturday, July 18) at 4 PM. It features Lorna Lim of the Lim Family, Hapa-madness in Southern California, and the annual lu'au of the Washington University Hawaiian Club, featuring Robi Kahakalau, Shaun Na'auao, John Cruz, Ernie Cruz, Jr. and others. Nice show, but co-host Ed Ka'ahea really needs to brush up on his Hawaiian language pronunciation.

7/15/98 - I've been informed that the Makaha Sons website that I pointed to last week is not only unauthorized, but the Sons had requested that it be taken down a long time ago. Its not nice to do this kind of stuff without permission, no matter how honorable the intentions. Needless to say I've removed the link. I hear that an official Makaha Sons website is in development.

7/12/98 - Hau'oli La Piha Makahiki to our dear friend Fred K, the man who puts the "puna" in Punahele Productions.

7/10/98 - Hau'oli La Piha Makahiki ia... Susan J! Our little corner of cyberspace just wouldn't be the same without her insightful reports.

7/9/98 - Kawika Hurd has updated his 'Ukulele website, it now includes some interesting links on guitar and 'ukulele acoustics, wood properties, and string tensions.

7/8/98 - Good news for fans of Harold Kama, Jr. Harold is alive and well in Hilo, and performing evenings, Saturday through Tuesday at the Hilo Hawaiian, and at Harrington's on Friday evenings. Eat your heart out, Honolulu ;-)

7/5/98 - Kahikina plays 'ono Hawaiian music at Cronies (The old Lehua's location in Hilo town) Thursdays and Friday evenings.

The Bay Area's Patrick Landeza has his own website full of concert info and info on his CD release, Ho'onaue.

7/4/98 - KWXX radio in Hilo will broadcast a weekly Hawaiian language radio show starting this Sunday, July 5. The show, hosted by Makela Bruno, will run from 6-8 PM each Sunday evening, and will feature Hawaiian music along with other features, completely in 'olelo Hawai'i. Makela also works at the Punana Leo o Waimea.

Talked to David Keali'i Reichel Kahiapo this morning, apparently the 3D project he was working on with Del Beazley and Dwight Kana'e has been mixed and ready to go for some time, they're just waiting for the graphics to get done so it can be sent off for pressing. Kawika has also returned to the studio to work on his second solo CD.

There was an ad for an interesting looking show on Hawaiian music on KHON, called Hawaiian Pathways, it airs Thursday, July 9 at 9:00 p.m, and is hosted by Ed Ka'ahea. The only name I can recall being on the show was Nani Lim Yap, but there were others.

7/3/98 - Let's have a happy and safe 4th of July, we don't want to lose any Hawaiian music fans out there.

Just got a message that Quino & Friends will be releasing an album on July 21st. Quino is the lead vocalist with Big Mountain. The album, entitled Mahalo, features Quino with Henry Kapono, Na Leo Pilimehana, Robi Kahakalau, Kapena, Fiji, and John Cruz.

Maui's Hau'ula has also wrapped up recording and mixing their latest project. No release date or name yet, they seem to be very "hush-hush" about it. Wayne Kamake'e'aina and Tarvin Makia make up one of the strongest vocal duos in Hawaiian music, and Alan Villaren has few peers with the six string. Alan also tours and records with Keali'i Reichel. Its a real shame that they are relatively unknown outside of Maui. Maybe this new release will fix that. As soon as I get more info it will be posted here.

I've been ignoring Susan J's music report archives for too long, its been cleaned out and brought up to date. If you're thinking of buying a CD and want an honest, objective <big grin> opinion, search the archive and you'll get it. There are a full two years of reports in there (June 1996-current).

6/27/98 - Hau'oli La Piha Makahiki ia Keali'i Reichel! Like a fine wine, you only get better with age, e ku'u hoa. Wish I could say the same for myself ;-)

6/26/98 - Wow, a whole month has passed since my last update. Time sure flies...

Congratulations to Flying Solo Music, BB Shawn, and Nancy Ishimoto. Not only has BB put out one of the hottest CDs of the year, but Flying Solo recently announced that Dennis Kamakahi and Dennis Pavao will both be putting out recordings under the FSM label. It couldn't have happened to a nicer group of people.

Wow, a whole year has passed since we lost Bruddah Iz. His shoes will never be filled. Fortunately the music lives on.

I'm working with the lovely and talented ladies from Na Leo Pilimehana to get some long overdue updates to their page. Rest Of Your Life is getting airplay in 42 states right now, and has reached #17 on the Gavin Adult Contemporary chart.

5/21/98 - Lelekane is comprised of some local boys united by their love of Hawaiian music while training as paratroopers on the mainland. They play Fridays from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Tsunami's Pub and Grinds in Wai'anae.

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