Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 27, Number 8, 1 August 2010 — Fluidity of water, cool and clear [ARTICLE]

Fluidity of water, cool and clear

By Francine Murray KaWai Ola Are you in the mood for some incredible three-part harmony? Check out the new CD Deep Waters by 'Ike Pono. Together for 12 years, there are three members in the group. Miehael Lowe an account manager for KCCN FM 100 at Cox Radio Hawai'i grew up playing Hawaiian music on the mainland and moved to Hawai'i after serving in the U.S. Air Force. Lowe learned to play slack key guitar from the late Raymond Kane and toured with him for three years. Stanton Oshiro was bom and raised in Honolulu. 'Ukulele master Roy Sakuma first sparked Oshiro's interest in music when he was giving lessons at the Manana Housing Complex in 1974. Years later when Oshiro was also serving in the U.S. Air Force abroad, he started playing 'ukulele again and performing at clubs. Bobby Yu is from Palolo Valley and started performing in the '70s, playing bass. A songwriter, Yu often finds creative ideas in the sky:

"I seem to get inspiration whenever I'm flying. That's how I wrote 'Full Circle Rainbow' on this CD and 'White Mountain of Clouds' from the 'Ike Pono Ka Mano Wai CD." With his unique bass playing Yu gives 'Ike Pono that traditional Hawaiian - yet funky, toe-tapping sound. Yu says, "If it feels good, do it; learn about it; make it your own; and ultimately, give glory to God." Lowe composed three of the songs on Deep Waters. He wrote "E Ho'i Mai" to

remind us to eome back and see the beauty of Hawai'i and to remember we all have responsibilities to uphold as Hawai'i's people; "Uamakalaukoa" was composed after a long trip, when he awoke heard and smelled the soft rain falling; and "Ka Ho'olauna" was inspired by a story Raymond Kane told him of the Spanish cowboys in Hawai'i in the 1800s.

They were brought to the Islands to teach the Hawaiians how to herd cattle. The Vaqueros brought their guitars, whieh intrigued the paniolo, and when they left the Islands, they left their guitars behind for their new friends. The paniolo created new ways of tuning the instrument, giving rise to slack key guitar. "Aloha Wau Leina'ala" by Rodgers L.L. Naipo Sr. was written for his beautiful daughter when she was an infant, knowing one day

his precious daughter Leina'ala would grow up and marry. She married Miehael Lowe, who put music to the composition and gave it to her on their wedding day. For information or to listen to Deep Waters, visit www.IkePonoMusic.com. Deep Waters is also available online at www.mele.com. ■

'IKE PONO LIVE and ON THE AIR Catch the trio at the Perry & Price Saturday Morning Show, broadcasting live Aug. 14 from Jimmy Buffett's atthe Beachcomber, 2300 Kalākaua Ave. Tickets include a full breakfast buffet, tax and gratuity: $22.95, 12.50 for keiki 6 to 12, free for keiki under 6. Free valet parking with purchase. 791-1200.

V MELEAILANA V ~ ISLAND MUSIC SCENE "

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