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October
November 2005
Honolulu’s only
Jazz club opens
Unexpectedly, a club featuring some of
Honolulu’s finest jazz musicians has opened at the edge
of the Kapiolani bar district nearly next door to the
7-11 across the street from the Hawai‘i Convention
Center on the edges of Waikiki.
Keahi Conjugacion
Called Jazz Minds, it has been re-decorated
with New York brick backing a generous stage with deep
plump, red lounging chairs surrounding a small hardwood
dance floor with a built in sound system and tiny
dedicated sound control booth. Very professional.
Azure McCall
Soft opening night featured entertainment
director Keahi Conjugacion, probably Hawai‘i’s best
contemporary, locally born jazz singer, and one of the
very musical Conjugacion family. Her brothers Tony
and Noland are best selling Hawaiian entertainers, and
Keahi apprenticed musically at age 17 in pop and local
music.
Backing her up on opening night were Azure
McCall and Rolando Sanchez, both popular local
musicians.
Rolando
Azure is arguably Hawai‘i’s finest jazz
stylist. Her voice fills a room, cajoles and laughs
through intricate rhythms at the drop of an improvised
hat. She could stand inspection in the finest New York
clubs but won’t leave her adopted Hawai‘i home for long.
Sanchez
was born in Nicaragua, grew up in San
Francisco and fell in love with Hawai‘i in 1984. He has
been one of the dominant Latin players in the Hawai‘i
music scene for many years.
The club is owned by slim, attractive Young
Hae Yi, a Korean immigrant with many years food and
beverage experience in Hawai‘i. Her brief greeting
gives an idea of how home grown this club is.
“I am so happy to open this club. This is
my dream,” she said.
“I love America. I love Hawai‘i. It gives
me opportunity. I love jazz music so much. It is to me
freedom, art, everything good. I hope you like it too.”
Conjugacion said the club would be bringing
in top mainland talent and feature the best local
bands. Some groups lined up for November include the
Dave Yamasaki Trio, Jazz Purr, Steve Jones Trio, and
Miles Jackson Trio.
Conjugacion moved to the Pacific Northwest
12 years ago. Her inspiration was local diva Melveen
Leed, who was giving voice lessons.
She told me, “Sister, you are missing out.
Your voice sounds like jazz, you love jazz, you have to
go away to the mainland to really learn it.”
In Seattle, she did gigs like the Seattle Supersonics
game, the Bumbershoot Festival, and nightclubs like
Dimitriou's Jazz Alley, the New Orleans Creole
Restaraunt, Wild Ginger, Salute, and Grazie's.
In 2004, she came out with a CD titled "Jazz
Hawaiian Style" which gave a jazz sound to hapa-haole
and Hawaiian songs and featured her husband, pianist Dan
Del Negro and Hawai`i's finest jazz musician, the former
Stan Kenton alto saxophone master Gabe Baltazar.
When she came back home, she was instantly
accepted into the local jazz scene and featured in the
Hawai‘i International Jazz Festival.
After her CD came out, she went to New York
to play Carnegie Hall and hung out in Harlem. The clubs
loved her and she was given non-stop work until she
pulled herself away earlier this year to come home.
Hawai‘i is trying to do the same thing.
She played in places like St. Nichalos Pub,
Lennox Lounge, Smoke, Cleopatra’s Needle and Kabehaz.
Conjugacion and McCall go way back to a
group called the Coconut Girls, who backed up one of her
brother’s early CD’s.
“We did the do wop thing.”
McCall was born in Berkeley, spent her early
years in Oakland, studied ballet, tap-dancing, organ –
and eventually – singing. She was friends with Anita
Pointer of the Pointer Sisters and they both sang in the
Westlake Junior High School Choir. McCall went on to
become a computer science major at U.C. Berkeley, and
moved to Hawai‘i in 1972 with her husband.
She’s played the Sahara in Vegas, the Royal
Hawaiian, and the Mint. She has credits with Rich
Little, Danny Thomas, Santana, Herbie Man and Chuck
Berry, among others.
Sanchez is a singer,
songwriter, percussionist on timbales, congas, bongos,
and drums, a recording artist, and producer. His band,
Salsa Hawai‘i, won best Latin and best Latin vocalist at
the Hawai‘i Music Awards.
Conjugaction’s band is called Island Jazz,
and features Keith Scott on piano, Ernie Provencher on
bass and Chuck James on drums.
Scott is from Pennsylvania where 25 years
ago he won the prestigious Downbeat Magazine scholarship
to the Berklee College of Music. He has been in Hawai‘i
about three years. See
honolulujazzclub.com
Waikiki in new jazz wave
Deep Blue and Cobalt
Two clubs in Waikiki have switched to a
partial jazz format. They join the Jazz Mind on
Kapiolani to make Honolulu a hip town. The clubs are
Deep Blue in the Hyatt Waikiki, just downstairs below
Furusato Restaurant, and the Cobalt Lounge at the
Hanohano Room at the Top of the Sheraton Waikiki.
Azure McCall is the lead performer at Deep
Blue. “Hawai‘i’s ready for some serious jazz,” she
says. Deep Blue is an upscale club created by Furusato
owner Chikara Yanagiya, no stranger to upscale. He also
owns the swanky L’Uraku on Kapiolani.
It features such appetizers as oyster ponz
and quail eggs in special sauce or orange soy glazed
duck breast. You get the picture, I hope.
McCall opened with a band featuring
DeShannon Higa on trumpet,Tennyson Stevens on piano and
Todd Smith on bass. They play 8-10 p.m. Thursday,
Friday, Sunday and Monday.
The Cobalt Lounge features live jazz Fridays
8-10 p.m. Some of the Honolulu’s finest will appear.
The Honolulu Jazz Quartet with Ginai was a recent
headliner. The room is famed for its city views after
dark. See
http://www.honolulujazzscene.net/
Hawai‘i’s
Best
Local, hole in the wall
Places de cuisine
Pho My Lien
This is the archtype hole in the wall family
diner with 34 seats. It’s on the second floor of a
small two story gray wooden building on Ala Moana next
to the Ilikai Hotel, one of the last such buildings in
Waikiki. Truly historic, if you like that sort of
thing. And I do.
As its name suggests, Pho My Lien is a
Vietnamese Restaurant. It specializes in the Vietnamese
national dish, pho, rice noodles in a secret beef broth
garnished with thin slices
Lien Dang and Richard
of beef, heaps of bay leaves and sprouts. You can have
brisket or tripe if you want but you can’t have the
secret of the broth. Each restaurant guards its secret
recipe closely.
Pho My Lien’s recipe comes down from Lien
Dang, wife of Tommy Dang. Her family had a restaurants
in Saigon before the war.
In addition to pho, My Lien specializes on
Cac Mon Dac Biet, which is generally seafood in broth.
You can have shrimp shabu shabu, curry, hot and sour
soup with catfish or a pepper simmered pot.
The restaurant is five years old.
955-4009. Five stars out of five on the Brudda scale.
Yotteko-Ya Kyoto Ramen
This is not just your ordinary ramen. It is
Kyoto style ramen. Actually, it is a very thick, tasty
broth simmered for over 10 hours to get its full
flavored effect. The ten secret ingredients give it a
uniquely thick collagen rich stock with is supposed to
prevent aging of skin and joints.
But if you don’t believe that, at least try
accepting this. Tastes more than good. Tastes great!
Mitsuyo peleiholani
Yotteko-Ya is located on the second floor of
the McCully Shopping Center on the corner of Kapiolani
and McCully, just mountain side over the bridge of the
Ala Wai Canal.
It features one of three soup styles, shoyu
based, Hawaiian salt based, and Kakuni Ramen, which is
cooked even longer than 10 hours and which is made only
once a day. It sells for a premium $9.45 per bowl and
only 20 bowls per day are sold.
Yotteko-Ya is part of a chain in Japan. The
McCully store is the first and only franchise in Hawai‘i.
It’s owned by Kimihiko and Kayoko Sano. Sano was a
frequent visitor to Hawai‘i and sold auto parts in
Osaka. He looked for a way to move to Hawai‘i and found
the Yotteko-Ya chain.
“In Japan, many of the outlets get their
soup from a central kitchen, but I have to make my own,”
Sano says. He was trained by the creator of the chain
personally.
Yotteko-Ya is a interesting place. The
theme is red with Cho Chin lanterns, sliding doors, and
black enameled chairs. All the ramen are garnished with
an interesting black fungus.
We give it five stars out of five on the
Brudda scale. If you think, they never give less than
four stars, you’re right. We don’t review those
restaurants. 946-2900
Taiyo Noodle Shop, Sapporo Style
My friend Ron and owner Sun Lee
This simple, clean 30 seat shop recently
moved from a prime location on Kapiolani near Keeaumoku
Street to the little strip mall at the edge of Ala Moana
Center next to Blockbuster. The address is 451 Piikoi
St, Suite 105.
Affectionados of I Love Country Cafe will
find it next door.
My friend loves this place. He especially
loves the young, cute waitress and the mini chicken
curry, which is a bargain at $3.95 and plenty enough for
someone watching their waist.
He has plenty of company. Lots of locals
ferret out the shop’s new location.
Owners Chae and Sun Lee have had the
restaurant for about 12 years. He was formerly a cook
with the small chain of ramen shops called Ezogiku.
Their most popular disk is chicken katsu
curry rice. And they serve a small dish of free kim
chee at every table.
The ramen they serve is Sapporo style. They
have all the standard tastes including miso, shoyu, shio
and curry ramen. Gyoza is $3.25, a good price for
regular people. Most noodle dishes are $6-7.
Four stars out of five on the Brudda scale.
943-2123
Nov. 10
Finding Harmony
Concert in the Courtyard
Amy Hanaiali’I Gilliom, Na Leo
Award-winning Hawaiian female musical trio
Na Leo headlines the upcoming "Finding Harmony Concert
in the Courtyard" at the Sheraton Moana Surfrider.
Enjoy sweet harmonies and the sunset over Waikiki during
this free, open-air concert.
Other featured artists include Na Hoku
Hanohano winner Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom, Mel Amina,
cousin of Hawaii's beloved Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and the
multi-talented musical group Pali. The concert is
scheduled for Thursday, November 10, from 5:30 pm - 7:30
pm. For more information, please call the Sheraton
Moana Surfrider at 922-3111.
Mel Amina
Mel Amina, one of the original members of the Makaha
Sons of Niihau during the late 70's and early 80's tries
to perpetuate the music of his cousin, the late Israel
Kamakawiwo`ole. Amina performs weekly with his band 3
Scoops of Aloha at the Sheraton Waikiki and The Royal
Hawaiian hotel.
Pali
From the lush six-part harmony of `Akaka Falls, to the
nostalgic arrangement of voices in Jungle Rain,
listeners sample a taste of the exciting diversity the
musical group Pali promotes in island music. The voices
of members Pali Tuan W. Ka`aihuie, Shepherd Paki
Kawakami, Dwayne Kanani Keomaka, John Tanner, Rory Lono
and Mark Kawakami soar on their recent album "In
Harmony." The album won honors last year at the Hawaii
Music Awards for Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the
Year.
Na Leo
Nalani Choy, Lehua Kalima Heine and Angela Morales run
their own record label; compose, write lyrics, record
and perform as the talented and acclaimed Hawaiian
musical trio Na Leo. The first musical group from
Hawaii to successfully cross the line between "Hawaiian"
music and the adult contemporary music format, Na Leo
celebrates their 20th anniversary together this year
with a DVD release entitled "I Miss You My Hawaii" and a
new studio album "Feel the Spirit." Since 1982, they've
released 16 CDs, won 22 Hoku Awards, have been in the
top 20 AC charts nationally, and made music that's part
of their lives.
Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom
One of Hawaii's shining stars, Amy Hanaiali`i Gilliom
has won the hearts of many with her resurrection of Ha`i
(female falsetto singing). Classically trained with a
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater, Gilliom
infuses her music with a nod towards her love for Jazz
and R & B. A multi-Na Hoku Hanohano Award winner, her
last four albums have won her Song of Year, Female
Vocalist of the Year, Hawaiian, Album of the Year and
Group of the Year. Her first album "Hawaiian Tradition"
placed her on the World Billboard Charts, a first for an
album written solely in the Hawaiian language.
The Sheraton Moana Surfrider's open-air
Banyan Court, which hosted the world famous "Hawaii
Calls" radio show for 40 years, is the site of the
Concert in the Courtyard series. The concerts are
broadcast live on KINE 105.1 FM's web site
(hawaiian105.com) and recorded for broadcast on 940 AM
KKNE. The concert is free and open to the public. A
one-drink minimum is required for complimentary
self-parking validation.
Save the date for the next upcoming concert
event: December 8. The Sheraton Moana Surfrider, KINE
105.1 FM, Bungalow Bay and Island Princess Candies
proudly sponsor the Concert in the Courtyard series.
The Concert in the Courtyard series are an integral part
of Starwood Hawaii's Flavors of Island Music commitment
to promoting island entertainment throughout Hawaii and
the world.
NOVEMBER 12
IS ALTERNATIVE HEALING
FOR ME?
FIND OUT AT THE ‘WELLNESS
EXPO’
Does alternative healing work? Is it for
me? Where do I go to find out about holistic healing?
Posed with questions by people from various walks of
life, holistic practitioners from throughout Hawaii
will gather at the Unity Church Wellness Center to
present a “Wellness Expo” on Saturday, November 12,
from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
This event will take place at Unity Church
of Hawaii, which is located at the corner of Monsarrat
Avenue and Diamond Head Circle.
The day long expo will feature workshops by
prominent persons in holistic healing. The topics range
from Hawaiian healing and spirituality to child
psychology, the importance of self-esteem, thermal
imaging and health analysis.
More than 28 health exhibits will provide
free demonstrations on reflexology, aromatherapy,
holographic repatterning, healing touch, acupuncture,
massage, reiki, yoga, alkalinity, meatless nutrition,
the Brain Gym and A Course In Miracles. Free product
samples will also be offered.
Admission is free. Convenient parking is one
block away at the Waikiki School, 3710 Leahi Avenue.
Music will be provided by Zachariah and Paul Morse.
Food, which is available for purchase, will be provided
by India Café and Volcano Joe’s.
This event is hosted by the Wellness Center, and Unity
Church of
Hawaii, in keeping with the church’s vision to provide
education about
alternative healing and that true healing comes from
within.
Nov. 19-23
BOOK SIGNING SCHEDULED FOR HAWAII’S PLANTATION
VILLAGE
Meet the authors of a new
book on WAIPAHU
It started as a project to record the family
history through people’s recollections of Tatsuichi Ota,
a Japanese immigrant who lived in Waipahu and went on to
become a successful businessman. Over time, Tatsuichi
amassed a sizeable 32-acres of land in Waipahu that was
commonly referred to as “Ota Camp.” During its heyday,
Ota Camp was comprised of homes, small businesses and a
very popular cock fight ring.
“Waipahu … Recollections from a Sugar
Plantation Community in Hawaii” is a 200+ page chronicle
of people, places and life in early Waipahu town told
through interesting anecdotes and memories of many who
knew Tatsuichi but, more importantly, have a Waipahu
connection, including a group of Californians – all
graduates of Waipahu High School – that meet frequently
in Torrance (California) to share new stories and old
memories.
There are many, many amusing anecdotes and
stories that are shared, for example:
· William A. “Pat” Patterson, the first president
of United Airlines grew up in Waipahu. His family name
was originally spelled Paterson but when his father was
presented with a watch by August Ahrens (first manager
of the Oahu Sugar Company) engraved Patterson with the
extra “t” his father started using that spelling for the
family name.
· Oahu Sugar Company was the father figure of
Waipahu and occasions such as Christmas were a time for
the company to make sure the children were given a treat
such as playing Christmas carols over their loudspeakers
at night and Santa handing out brown goodie bags filled
with fruits and candy.
· Hideo “Major” Okada worked for 41 years at Oahu
Sugar Company. He was a pretty good baseball player in
his youth and was nicknamed “Major” by his friends who
thought he was good enough to play in the major league.
Years later, Okada conceived Hawaii’s Plantation Village
as a means to preserve plantation life in Waipahu and
Hawaii.
The book also includes many long forgotten
and very interesting facts, such as:
· Waipahu is the name of a spring located near
Pump 8 of the Oahu Sugar Company.
· In 1897, when Oahu Sugar started, there were 943
field workers: 44 Hawaiians, 57 Portuguese, 443
Japanese and 399 Chinese.
· In the early 1940’s an eleven year old could
only work in the fields clearing the irrigation
ditches. At 12, you could work in the fields.
· At one time, August Ahrens Elementary School was
the largest elementary school in Hawaii with over 2,200
students in grades K-6.
There are also illustrations, historical
photos and tables. The authors have generously donated
a supply of books to Hawaii’s Plantation Village. The
books will be sold for $25 each and the authors will be
available to sign copies during the four days.
Michael T. Yamamoto, principal author, is
the grandson of Tatsuichi Ota. Born and raised in
Hawaii, he graduated from Farrington High School and the
University of Hawaii. He taught chemistry, physics and
math at James Campbell High School, was a research
assistant and technician in the Department of Physics
and Astronomy at the University of Hawaii and later
opened his own machine tool distribution business.
Nina Yuriko (Ota) Sylva is the daughter of
Tatsuichi Ota. She was employed by the Army Corps of
Engineers, the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and retired
from the Navy Finance Office. She lives in Aiea and is
an active participant in the Hauoli Kupaa Senior Club.
Karen N. (Kina) Yamamoto, Ph.D., is the wife
of Michael T. Yamamoto. She graduated from Farrington
High School and received her Bachelors and Masters
Degrees from the University of Hawaii. She taught
physics, chemistry and general science at McKinley High
School and the University Laboratory School. She
received her doctorate in Science Education from
Stanford University and later joined the American Indian
Science & Engineering Society in Boulder Colorado and
relocated with the non-profit organization to
Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Hawaii’s Plantation Village is a non-profit,
living history museum and ethno-botanical garden located
on a 50-acre site in the heart of sugar plantation
country in Waipahu. For more information please contact
the Village at 677-0110 or visit our Website at
www.hawaiiplantation.org.
Nov. 19-20, Dec. 10-11
Craft Fair
HAWAII KAI – Koko Marina Center will host
its annual Pre-Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, November
19th and Sunday, Sunday, November 20th and December 10th
and Sunday, Sunday, December 11th from 9 to 3 p.m. Enjoy
Holiday Creations of Hawaii Shopping at its finest with
hundreds of unique, hand crafted items that include
jewelry, pottery, clothing, art objects, gifts,
Hawai’iana items and much more!
Koko Marina Center Craft Fairs are famous
for their unique handmade items, made by the best island
crafters. Shop early and find that perfect gift for the
Holidays, or if you want something special just for
yourself. Please plan to join more than fifty crafters
at Koko Marina Center.
Located in East Oahu, 7192 Kalanianaole
Hwy., Koko Marina Center features a variety of water
sport activities, specialty and gift shops, personal
services, fine dining restaurants, casual eateries, fast
food and snack bars as well as a grand 8-plex theater.
Visit
www.Kokomarinacenter.com for more information.
Nov. 30-Dec.
Art Sale
The ARTS at Marks Garage, its partners and invited
artists present: Elves Can't Make This Stuff: A Special
Shopping Experience. You can¹t find these items at the
North Pole. November 30 - December 22, 2005, Tues - Sat
11-6.
December 6
Pacific Aviation Museum
Fifth Annual Benefit Dinner
Honored guest and speaker: Legendary WWII Ace and
Vietnam Fighter pilot Brigadier General Robin
Olds WWII P-38 Lightening and P-51 Mustang Ace.
Legendary Vietnam fighter Pilot. Commandant of the Air
Force Academy. Also local hero, Captain Jerry Coffee,
will be the Master of Ceremonies. 28 year Naval officer,
carrier Pilot; and Vietnam POW. Spend a memorable
evening under the stars at the Hale Koa Hotel, enjoying
a classic Hawaiian Luau, supporting the Pacific Aviation
Museum and meeting true American heroes and aviation
legends. Reservations required and seating is
limited. Call 808-836-7747
www.pacificaviationmuseum.org.
Dec. 11, 13
Christmas Concert
A stunning group unlike
any other…absolutely electrifying!” —Garrison Keillor, A
PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION
If You Only Have Time for One Concert This
Holiday Season... University of Hawai‘i Presents: KITKA
in Concert, performing "Wintersongs." A frequently
occurring symbolic word in Balkan women’s folksong
lyrics, "Kitka" means "bouquet" in Bulgarian and
Macedonian.
The Wintersongs
repertoire showcases material ranging from rousing
Slavic folk carols and lush, meditative Eastern Orthodox
sacred choral works, to pre-Christian incantations for
the longest nights of the year and Hebrew folk songs for
Chanukah. Highlights include an ancient Latgalian
This program is an Outreach College
presentation and is supported in part by Alliance for
Culture and the Arts, Cooke Foundation, National
Endowment for the Arts, Performing Arts Presenters of
Hawaii, State Foundation on Culture and the Arts through
appropriations from the Legislature of the State of
Hawaii and Western States Arts Federation.
December 11 • Sunday • 4:00pm • Orvis Auditorium
December 13 • Tuesday • 7:00pm • Kauai Community College
Performing Arts Center
Tickets on sale beginning November 14: $25 general, $20
students/senior
citizens/military/UH faculty and staff, $10 UH Students
with valid id
Purchase at any UH ticket outlet, order online at
www.etickethawaii.com, or charge-by-phone, (808)
944-2697. For disability access and other information
call (808) 956-8246.
“Simply amazing harmonies…truly this is the most
wonderful singing I
have ever heard.”—David Crosby, CROSBY, STILLS, AND
NASH
“Kitka’s power and energy is exotic and exhilarating,
showcasing the
beauty and vitality of female voices.” — NATIONAL PUBLIC
RADIO
October 12, 2005
4th
Annual Chopsticks & Wine 2005
For the past three
years, "foodies" have raved about the Honolulu Japanese
Chamber of Commerce's Chopsticks & Wine, which brings
together Hawaii's premier restaurants and beverage
purveyors for an evening of extraordinary dining on
Wednesday, October 12, 2005, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Resort.
"Chopsticks & Wine 2005 features great food
and a wide array of wines, beer and sake," said Wayne
Ishihara, Sidney Hamada, and Arnold Hirotsu, co-chairs
of Chopsticks & Wine 2005. "The event is unique because
you can actually order some of the wines and other
beverages introduced that evening for your personal
enjoyment. It's a chance to taste old favorites and
discover delicious new drink options."
Chopsticks & Wine 2005 is one of the
signature fundraising efforts of the Honolulu Japanese
Chamber of Commerce. Ten of Hawaii's best restaurants,
including d.k Steak House and Sansei Restaurant & Sushi
Bar, Gyotaku Japanese Restaurants, Halekulani, Kyo-ya
Restaurant, Le Bistro, L'Uraku Restaurant, Sergio's
Italian Restaurant, Sheraton Waikiki Hotel and Resort,
Side Street Inn, and The Bistro at Century Center, will
feature their signature dishes.
In addition, beverage
selections will be available from Awamori Spirits,
Better Brands, Paradise Beverages, Southern Wine &
Spirits of Hawaii, and World Wine Tasting. Adding to the
festivities will be '50s and '60s inspired entertainment
and a silent auction.
Pre-sale tickets are $75 per person or $100
at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Honolulu Japanese
Chamber of Commerce. For tickets and more information,
call (808) 949-5531, email
info@honolulujapanesechamber.org, or visit
www.honolulujapanesechamber.org.
The Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce is
one of Honolulu's major business organizations,
representing a cross-section of the city's businesses,
industries and professions. With a Pacific-wide view of
business and economic development, the Chamber serves as
a catalyst for opportunities and seeks solutions to
business and community issues for the betterment of
Hawaii. Its office is located at 2454 S. Beretania
Street. Its website is
www.honolulujapanesechamber.org.
October 13, 2005
|
Kanikapila
Concert in the Courtyard
Natalie Ai Kamauu,
Ku`uipo and Sean Na`auao
Sing Sweet
Hawaiian Melodies |
Residents and visitors alike are invited to
enjoy classic Hawaiian melodies under the stars at an
upcoming "Kanikapila Concert in the Courtyard" at the
Sheraton Moana Surfrider. Former Miss Aloha Hula and
accomplished recording artist Natalie Ai Kamauu
headlines the taped-for-radio-broadcast show in the
open-air courtyard. Other featured artists include
Kuuipo Kumukahi and five-time Na Hoku Hanohano award
winner Sean Na`auao with Harry B. Soria from KINE 105.1
FM serving as emcee. The free two-hour concert is
scheduled for Thursday, October 13, from 5:30 pm - 7:30
pm. For more information, please call the Sheraton
Moana Surfrider at 922-3111.
Natalie Ai Kamauu
The daughter of Howard Ai from Halau Hula Olana, Natalie
Ai Kamauu started singing alongside her father as a
teenager. A former Miss Aloha Hula, Natalie's angelic
voice can be heard on her first solo release "E."
Produced by Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning producer Dave
Tucciarone, "E" will secure Natalie Ai Kamauu's place
amongst Hawaii's most beloved female artists.
Ku`uipo Kumukahi
Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Ku`ipo Kumukahi, "The
Sweetheart of Hawaiian Music," is a self-taught musician
influenced by family songs. From her family come deeply
rooted traditions, knowledge and values which she
presents with the voice that has made her known
throughout the state of Hawai`i, the continental United
States, and abroad.
Sean Na`auao
Five-time Na Hoku Hanohano award winner Sean Na`auao has
established a successful island music solo career,
releasing hits such as Fish and Poi, Li Hing Hula and
Drop Baby Drop. Na`auao continues to set benchmarks for
today's contemporary musicians with his unique
arrangements of traditional and original Hawaiian
songs. Na`auao just released his new CD traditional
Hawaiian album "Ka 'Eha Ke Aloha" in early September.
The Sheraton Moana Surfrider's
open-air Banyan Court, which hosted the world famous
"Hawaii Calls" radio show for 40 years, is the site of
the Concert in the Courtyard series. The concerts are
broadcast live on KINE 105.1 FM's web site
(hawaiian105.com) and recorded for broadcast on 940 AM
KKNE.
Harry B. Soria, Jr., host of KINE's
105.1 FM's Sunday evening "Territorial Airwaves" radio
show emcees the special Moana Concerts in the Courtyard
events and shares anecdotes and trivia about Hawaii's
past. Soria recalls fondly that both his father and
grandfather hosted radio shows in Waikiki. His
grandfather was Harry G. Soria, the beloved "Dean of
Hawaiian Radio," who had a long involvement with KGU
Radio. His father, Harry B. Soria, became known as the
"Voice of Hawaii" during his radio career, which spanned
from the 1930's to the 1950's.
The public is welcome to attend the free radio show
concerts. A one-drink minimum is required for
complimentary self-parking validation.
October 16, 2005
University of Hawai‘i Presents:
Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble "East Meets West"
Sun • 4:00pm • Hawaii Theatre • Tickets range from $10
to $25.
The Kenny Endo Taiko Ensembles of Tokyo and
the U.S. combine Japanese traditional instruments with
world percussion in an exciting and refreshing way. The
Tokyo Ensemble, including master festival flutist and
lion dancer Kyosuke Suzuki, original Tokyo Cuban Boys
percussionist Yoshinori Nomi, and Vibraphone virtuoso
Hitoshi Hamada, combine with the U.S. based ensemble of
dynamic taiko drummers including renowned taiko artist
Kenny Endo.
The group employs the
huge oodaiko drum as well as thrilling displays of a
synthesis of drumming and dance. Other guests include
world-class drummer and percussionist, Noel Okimoto and
members of the Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group.
For more information on the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble,
visit
http://www.taikoarts.com/.
For concert information, connect to
www.outreach.hawaii.edu. Tickets may be purchased at
the Hawai'i Theatre, ordered online at
www.hawaiitheatre.com, or charge-by-phone, (808)
528-0506.
October 20
KAPAHULU BUSINESS NETWORK:
Kapahulu Business Network will be meeting on
Thursday, October 20th from 6:00 p.m. – 6:30
p.m. at Ho’onani Salon & Day
Spa, 909 Kapahulu Avenue to
discuss business items relating to the
Kapahulu Business District.
For more information please contact: Jennifer at
737-1013 or email
jgreneaux@msn.com
October 22
NEW ZEALAND’S BLACK GRACE
MAKES HONOLULU DEBUT
University of Hawai‘i Presents, in
association with the East West Center Arts Program, New
Zealand’s pre-eminent dance company, Black Grace, in its
Honolulu debut. The performance takes place on Saturday,
October 22, 2005 at Leeward Community College Theatre at
7:30 PM.
"Black Grace - short,
compact New Zealand men in short, compact dances - drove
people wild last Friday night. Adults and children alike
responded to the elaborate body-slapping and low,
harmonious chants (among many plain-spoken charms) with
their own raucous clapping and chanting. These men could
drum a fierce, happy tattoo into the thickest of
skins."-- Newsday
Founded in 1995 by artistic director Neil
Ieremia, Black Grace is composed of six men, mostly of
Pacific Island and Maori descent. Three female guest
dancers join the troupe for the Honolulu debut. General
admission tickets are $25, $20 for military personnel,
seniors, students, UH faculty and staff and $15 for
University of Hawaii at Manoa students with current
identification. Tickets may be purchased from any UH
ticket outlet, online at
www.etickethawaii.com, or charged-by-phone at
944-2697. For disability access and other information,
call 956-8246. For information, visit
www.outreach.hawaii.edu.
The performance is a
UHM Outreach College production, sponsored in part by
the Center for Pacific Island Studies, Performing Arts
Presenters of Hawai‘i, and the State Foundation on
Culture and the Arts through appropriations from the
Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i.
Halloween Hawaiian-style
At the Outrigger, frightfully fun
Experience "chicken skin" (a.k.a. goosebumps) at
the Outrigger Hotels award-winning "Spooky Tales," a fun
evening of Hawaiian ghost stories and other hair-raising
tales presented by master island storytellers.
On the island of Oahu, "Spooky Tales" will take
place on Monday, October 24, at the Outrigger Waikiki on
the Beach, and on Wednesday, October 26, at the
Outrigger Reef on the Beach. The event will also take
place on Friday, October 28, at the Outrigger Keauhou
Beach Resort on Hawaii's Big Island. All three events
are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., with free
admission.
Featured storytellers include Woody Fern,
acknowledged as one of Hawaii's most accomplished
storytellers. Of part-Hawaiian ancestry, Fern has
taught classes on storytelling, and has performed his
engaging tales at numerous schools, libraries, parks and
other venues throughout the state. His specialties
include tales of Hawaiian ali'i (royalty), local
legends, and stories passed down through families.
Fern will be joined by other master storytellers
at Spooky Tales to share a variety of stories that have
a connection to Hawaii, including some that draw from
the islands' multi-cultural heritage.
This free event is sponsored in part by Bess
Press, publishers of Spooky Tales; KQMQ; and the
Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach, Outrigger Reef on the
Beach, and Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort.
Chamber Music Hawaii presents the Honolulu Brass Quintet
Monday, October 24, 2005 7:30PM
Paliku Theatre, Windward Community College
Monday, October 31, 2005 7:30PM
Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts
Distant Voices
Chamber Music Hawaii presents the Honolulu Brass Quintet
in a program entitled "Distant Voices." Fresh and
original compositions for brass quintet will create
sparkling sonorities and colorful textures that will
keep you on the edge of your seat. David Sampson, Jan
Bach, and David Snow have all been recognized for their
outstanding contributions to the brass chamber music
repertoire. Kenny Wheeler's Song for Someone
adds a fun jazz element to this exciting program.
The members of the Honolulu Brass Quintet are Mark
Schubert and Ken Hafner, trumpets; Wade Butin, horn; Don
Immel, trombone; and David Saltzman, tuba. All are
full-time musicians in the Honolulu Symphony performing
for thousands of symphony patrons and students yearly
and teaching many of Hawaii's young brass players.
Subscriptions and single tickets are available online at
www.chambermusichawaii.com
or by phone at 489-5038 (NEW PHONE NUMBER!)
October 30, 2005
HO‘OKENA JOINS
HAWAII YOUTH SYMPHONY
FOR
BENEFIT CONCERT
Youth Symphony I, the
best and most exciting student orchestra in the state,
will headline with Grammy Award-nominated Ho‘okena at He
Makana O Na Mele: The Gift of Music, an annual benefit
concert for the Hawaii Youth Symphony (HYS). The event
takes place Sunday, October 30, 2005, 4:30 - 9:00 p.m.
at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Coral Ballroom. The
spectacular evening will begin with a silent auction at
4:30 p.m., a luau-style buffet dinner at 5:30 p.m., and
conclude with a greatly anticipated concert conducted by
Maestro Henry Miyamura.
Tina Lau chairs this
important evening which offers sponsor tables of 10 for
$5,000, $3,500, $2,000 and $1,000. Tables are also
available for $700, preferred individual seats for $200
and individual seats for $75. Contact the HYS office at
941-9706 for reservations.
Henry Miyamura, HYS’s
Music Director for 20 years, has created an exhilarating
program which blends classical music with contemporary
Hawaiian melodies. Comprised of 93 performers from Oahu
and Maui, the Youth Symphony I includes some of the
state’s most excellent young musicians.
Accompanying the Youth
Symphony will be the legendary voices of Ho‘okena.
Together since 1986, Ho‘okena remains one of Hawaii’s
most beloved and longest-lasting Hawaiian music groups.
Under the direction of Kumu Hula Manu Boyd, Ho‘okena is
recognized as a leader in the Hawaiian music scene. Hula
extraordinaire Nani Dudoit and vocalist Maila Gibson
will join Ho‘okena for this unforgettable evening of
entertainment.
The Hawaii Youth
Symphony, one of the country’s finest and largest youth
symphonies, is Hawaii’s only statewide youth orchestra
program. Since 1964, HYS has helped children ages 7-18
to develop and showcase their musical skills. HYS
operates three full symphonic orchestras and four string
orchestras during the academic year, serving more than
400 students from absolute beginners to the most
accomplished musicians. It also offers summer programs
for an additional 200 students. Education and concert
performance are both key elements of the program. Music
excellence has been HYS’s hallmark for more than 40
years.
Volunteers
Friends of Iolani Palace
Contact: Volunteer Coordinator
522-0821
Positions: Palace Docents,
Guardians, Greeters, Gallery Greeters, and Video Theatre
Host/Hostess
Ideal for: Both retired and working
people, High School and College Students, Kupuna most
welcome!
Times: Tuesday – Saturday, morning
and afternoon shifts available.
www.iolanipalace.org
This is a wonderful opportunity for
anyone who wishes to learn more about Hawaii’s history
and to be a part of a very diverse and welcoming
community of people.
Aqua
Palms Opens as Waikiki's Newest Hotel
The 260-room Aqua
Palms has opened, nearly a year after Aqua Hotels &
Resorts took over management of the property (from Aston
Hotels). "The property has undergone extensive
renovations and is the 'newest' hotel in Waikiki," said
Mike Paulin, Aqua's president and CEO.
"The entire building
was gutted - including the walls, and reconstructed in a
stylish, retro-Hawaiian motif. Aqua Palms will be a
strong competitor with its 'Seven Pillars of the Aqua
Brand' in place, together with Waikiki's improved
infrastructure."
"The lengthy delay in
getting the property ready for its opening was due, in
large part, to the comprehensive work that was done in
all areas, availability of parts and timing, but the
wait has been rewarded with a beautiful property," said
Robin Harlow, Aqua Palms general manager.
The Aqua Palms is
located at 1850 Ala Moana Boulevard, across the street
from the Hilton Hawaiian Village. The property consists
of tastefully-appointed spacious studios and one-bedroom
suites with silk and sand wallpaper, vibrant artwork
and, the trademark aqua (color) touches – in this case,
the aqua headboards.
Room amenities include
private lanai, central air-conditioning, FREE high-speed
internet access, a Waikiki kitchenette (microwave oven
and refrigerator) or full kitchen, coffee maker, in-room
safe, tub with shower combination, flat-screen color TV
with DVD player, clock radio, telephone with data port
and more.
AquaSPA - offering
three private treatments rooms and a variety of massage
therapies, body scrubs and facials. This will be the
second AquaSpa in Waikiki and available as of October 1.
AquaFIT - the Fitness
Center features a treadmill, StairMaster and
Universal Fitness machine and is
located on the second floor, next to the
pool.
Aqua was founded in
2000 by Hawaii hotelier Mike Paulin to manage and
operate hotels and hotel-condominiums in Hawaii.
Waikiki properties feature branded amenities, adding
value and improving the quality of the overall guest
experience.
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