Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 16, Number 10, 1 October 1999 — Leo Kiʻekiʻe: Falsetto contests trigger renewed interest [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Leo Kiʻekiʻe: Falsetto contests trigger renewed interest

Falsetto is nothing new in Hawaiian music, but with contests fostering the art form, like Aloha Festivals' Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest in Honolulu and the Clyde "Kindy" Sproat Falsetto Singing and Storytelling Contest in Kohala, a new generation of performers is emerging.

By Manu Boyd WHEN SAM Keli'iho'omalu took the Hawai'i Theatre stage at the Aloha Festivals' Frank B. Shaner Falsetto Contest a year

ago, he put aside his shy demeanor and sang with confidence. Ayear later, on the same stage, he performed " Makala - pua Lei no

Kamaka 'eha ," with

an audience singing along, and introduced his CD

debut " Ola k ka

'Oiwi," an accomplishment made possible by the generous support of Hula Records, who grants a recording contract

to the wmner. Produced by Fhp McDiarmid, "Ola ka 'Ōiwi," combines classics and originals with anecdotes of Keh'iho'omalu's own compositions like "Walapī" (the Kangaroo Hula) and " Wahinemai - ka 'i" the mele inoa or name song for Kupuna Lilia Hale of Waimānalo. Detailed annota-

11^11 UUUU^llWUl brings to light Helen Desha Beamer's

Kanipoaokalani" whieh she composed is a campaign song for her brother, and " Mai Nuha mai 'Oe" Charles E. King's mne that implores, "don't you sulk." These older selections transport the listener to an earlier time, but even the new compositions by the thirty-something singer-

songwriter have an air of nostalgia. A full-time worker at K-Mart and a parttime entertainer, Keli'iho'omalu's forte is falsetto. Dubbed "leo ki'eki'e" by Hawaiians of old, the technique takes the leo (voice) to high (ki'eki'e) registers. Although it was also called "leo H wahine," (women's I voice), falsetto is I more widely recog-

I nized as a male 3. singing style. "Ha'i," a Hawaiian f chant inflection, is sometimes employed in falsetto, but is not a

defining characteristic. "You know right away if you have the gift (of falsetto) or not. What takes time

is learning how to use this talent to make beautiful music," said Frank B. Shaner, the radio personahty and comedian who has become a sort of falsetto spokesman. "The ability to sing in that high register and maintain that air for an ovtonno/-1

time, manipulating its pure sound to cre-

ate music, is something wonderful to listen to." Avoice that Shaner has admired is that of Lopaka Ho'opi'i, who was firstrunner up twice. "I though he nailed 'em both years," Shaner remarked.

Ho'opi'i, a full-time fire fighter, just released "E Hua" along with Clarence Brown and Kalei Davis, the trio known collectively as "Loea." Falsetto is featured in several cuts, incluoing the CD's opener, " 'Ālika," the Genoa Keawe signature, arranged with a "shoo-by-doo-wop" flair that sets it apart from older versions. "Ke'anae" is a beautiful tribute to

the east Maui eommunity noted for its lo'i kalo and abundant fishing. "Sophisticated Hula" is appropriately done in a toe-tapping, finger-

snapping, swing arrangement. Of Hawai'i island falsetto aeelaim is a former winner of the "Kindy" Sproat event, who made a guest appearance at this year's Honolulu contest. Akoni Malacas and "Da Palapalai Patch" performed selections from their CD, " Kaona ," including mele he eo-eom-posed with his now-deceased grandmother, Ida Malacas. " Kealoha " reveals a secret affair, and is performed by Akoni with leo oh (chanting voice) and the sharp rhythm of an ipu. His hve performance is as 'ono as the recording, indicating that the song could go far in the realm of hula competitions and music awards. Malacas' Waipi'o Valley roots inspired the haunting recording of " Hi'ilawe ," referred to in the arrangement by a lessknown monicker, "Hali 'alaulani" eom-

plete with oh and pahu drums. Akoni's vocal trio arrangements feature group members Kēhau Tamure and Kuana Torres, perhaps one of the top falsetto trios in the islands with elean harmony and excellent range. Singing contests and other competitions help to keep our culture vibrant. They remind us of the powerful legacy left to us by our kupuna, for our wellbeing and the enjoyment of all. ■ At press time, Ka Wai Ola o OHA leameā of the passing ofBenny Kalama, a long-time musician, and afine example of a true Hawaiian falsetto. Aloha pumehana to his 'ohana and many friends.

"You know right away if you have the gift or not. What takes time is leaming how to use this talent to make a beautiful music" — Frank B. Shaner

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KINE FM's Aloha Friday Luneheon at the Sher< ton Moana featured Keli'iho'omalu and slate ol falsetto singers including Mahi Beamer, Keao Costa, Lopaka Ho'opi'i and Tony Conjugacion.