Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 18, Number 11, 1 November 2001 — Omi continues musical journey with a strong sense of heritage [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Omi continues musical journey with a strong sense of heritage

By Manu Boyd £ r | V revive the music" is the interpretation of " Ho'āla Hou Nā Mele," the latest recordX ing by the artist known simply as "Omi." The self-produced CD, along with manager Herb Nakamura and 'Onipa'a Records honeho Sam Maka'inai, is the result of mueh aloha and attention to detail, with overtones of simplicity. The feel is Hawaiian. The songs are Hawaiian. The artist, Hawaiian. "One night at Pāhonu in Waimānalo, it was 'Huna,' a eouple of nights before the full moon, we gathered kūpe'e shells at the shore. We went back to the house, boiled the shells, ate the meat, and then I started writing 'Lei Kūpe'e' about a beautiful lei made of kūpe'e. I still have the shells - haven't made a lei yet, so I guess the song is the lei," he said. He was named "Omi" - actually "'Omī" by his tūtū Mahuna who, he claims, thought he wouldn't amount to mueh because he was kolohe, always get-

ting into mischief. The use of e ? —

'omī, whieh means "to wither, droop, or to burn weakly as a candle," may have just been the subtle, combative magic that steered him toward a life / of music and deep apprecia- /: tion for his heritage. L Deleting any other names, / includine a sir name. / .

Omi and his wife, Kaleleonālani, live in Wai'anae, although his roots are in Waipi'o. i Sounding more seasoned

than his years, the 1980 graduate of Honoka'a High has a intrinsic sense of plaee. "Actually, our house was at Waiko'eko'e. Next (going north) is Kanuhonua, Kukuihaele, Lālākea,then, Waipi'o," he easily recalled. "When I was younger, I used to listen to this old man sing at

parties in Kukuihaele. His name was Sam Kane,

and I distinctly remember him singing 'Nanea Kou Maka i ka

j Le'ale'ā,' rocking back and forth at / the edge of his chair. He used to play ' with Fred Punahoā (Led Ka'āpana's unele) and Papa Joe Batalona,"

mfl remembered Omi. Jf', / "I moved to Honolulu in 1995 to / work, and the last Teg' of my journey B/ from Kaunakakai to O'ahu was aboard j my friend Clay Bertelmann's eanoe, the ■ / Makali'i," Omi said. "On my first solo I j album, 'Ho'ina,' the first selection was for ,/ Makali'i honoring that trip." Omi also

/ recorded a CD with the former group "Kanialu," whieh included Craig Pascua, Rich Sanchez and Ryan Kidani." Now a full-time musician, Omi plays regularly at See OMI on page 14

Mfi f 'Aii ana \f\l h r . V 7 1 1 V V

OMI from page 9 the Sheraton Moana Banyan Veranda, as a soloist Monday from 8:30-10:30 p.m., and as "The Nu'uanu Serenaders" with Leo Cullen and Bobby Ingano, Wednesdays from 5:30-8:30 p.m. When not playing music, Omi takes an interest in researching things Hawaiian including genealogy, and has spent time with Edith McKinzie who he met through his mother-in-law, Nālani 01ds. Song lyrics have been shared with him Kumu Hula Kimo Alama Keaulana and Unele Joe Keaulana enabling him to record more complete versions of such songs as " Huelo ," "Koali," and "Kilakila 'o Moanalua." Hilo fans ean catch Omi at Borders, Nov. 10 at 2 p.m., who then travels to Kona for a Borders appearance the following day at 2 p.m. Omi plays at the Kaua'i Slack-key Festival on Nov. 18, and is off to Maui Nov. 23, to play at Borders Kahului. On Nov. 16 and 30, catch Omi at the Ko'olau Golf Club. ■ i:, i;,: .11 ^•^ss>r