Last night, one of my favorite Hawaiian musicians--slack key guitarist Makana--entertained a few hundred people at a concert hosted by the Garden Island Arts Council themed, “Alice Meets Makana in EKK Wonderland.” The event culminated the three-month-long Hawaiian music concert series on Kauai—E Kanikapila Kakou. Guests were encouraged to come in costume. (I borrowed some wings and a halo from my friend’s two-year-old daughter and played an angel for a few hours.) 

In 2006, the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii named Carol Yotsuda a “Living Treasure” for her efforts in preserving the culture of Hawaii. Carol is the executive director of the Garden Island Arts Council, a volunteer position she’s held since 1998. She is also a retired teacher, active artist, and she produces E Kanikapila Kakou, a Hawaiian music program held on Monday evenings through March on Kauai. The gatherings are conducted in the style of backyard musical jam sessions for which Hawaii is known. This year’s EKK theme is “The Stories behind the Songs.” Here, Carol recaps three recent performances by Kaumakaiwa Kanaka'ole and Sean Na'auao, Cody Pueo Pata, and Aaron Sala and Snowbird Bento.

Guest blogger Carol Yotsuda recaps the third performance of E Kanikapila Kakou on Kauai. In its 27th year, the Hawaiian music program is held Monday evenings through March. The gatherings are conducted in the style of backyard musical jam sessions for which Hawaii is known, with many bringing their own ukulele to strum along and hula dancers stepping up to share their gifts. This year’s theme is “The Stories behind the Songs.” The February 1st event featured award-winning composer and Hawaiian language specialist Puakea Nogelmeier. He was accompanied by Lolena Niau Nicholas and Hau'oli Akaka. 

What this all boils down to is that we experienced an avalanche of music fans for one of Hawaii’s favorite sons – Eddie Kamae of the Sons of Hawaii, a true cultural icon who has mentored countless musicians over his lifetime, and father and son Kamakahi, about whom Eddie says, “I am so proud of Dennis Kamakahi and his son David who are carrying on the tradition of music.” 

George’s introduction to playing music at age 11 is his famous story about cleaning cars for Lippy Espinda at ten cents a car and playing a three-minute gig for Kui Lee at Forbidden City that scored him $27.10 from the appreciative audience of construction workers and stevedores.