Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 15, Number 12, 1 December 1998 — "Great Grandmother, Great Grandson" [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

"Great Grandmother, Great Grandson"

B y M a n u B o y d Another brightly sparkling gem in the legacy of Helen Kapuailohia Desha Beamer is among this year's best recordings. Kapono Beamer's" Great Grandmother,

m 1 Great Grandson is a tnbute to his kupunawahine kuakahi, known to her family as "Sweetheart Grandma." Helen Beamer remains a musical legend whose vibrant style and proliferation of compositions was inspired by family, friends and the beauty of her Hawai'i island home. Although Kapono never knew "Sweetheart Grandma," his family has kept her memory ever present with stories of her adventures as a performer, teacher, devoted family woman and community member. The son of respected educator and eultural resource Winona Beamer, Kapono was inspired as child by his grandfather "Pono" (Francis Keli'inohopono Beamer)

who often performed his mother's songs. Kapono, along with brother Keola, grew up to become first-rate performers, largely due to the nurturing of their talented 'ohana. "I never got to meet my great grandmother. She passed away the year I was born,"

Kapono writes in his liner notes. "When my mother, aunts and uncles spoke of 'Sweetheart Grandma,' they would always smile, and express deep affection, love and respect. I watched my grandmother, mother and aunts dance graceful hula to the rhythm of her music and lyrics. I listened to recordings of her songs performed by my Unele Mahi Beamer and marveled at the elegance of her melodies and the innovative yet gentle motion of her harmonies." The instrumental recording was the inspiration of a previously

released publication, "Songs ofHelen Desha Beamer," by mo'opuna (granddaughter) Marmionette Magoon Ka'aihue, a collection of stories, photographs and musieal scores of more than two dozen Beamer compositions. From this, Kapono selected classics like " Kimo Hula ,"

" Kawohikukapulani," " Keawaiki ," " Mahai 'ula" and "Ke Ali'i Hulu Mamo." The ongoing endeavors of the Beamer family ensure that "Sweetheart Grandma" will live on and on in the hearts Hawaiians and all who enjoy exquisite Hawaiian music and poetry. ■

Kapono Beamer Plays the Music of Helen Desha Beamer

1 ; |

[?]