Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 19, Number 6, 1 June 2002 — Kīnohi: Origin's a new new beginning for ʻAleʻa [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Kīnohi: Origin's a new new beginning for ʻAleʻa

By Manu Boyd Kīnohi means "beginning" in Hawaiian, but according to Chad Takatsugi, that name wasn't selected for 'Ale'a's follow-up CD until the very last minute. "Our debut was so successful, that a lot of people were looking forvvard to the next one," Takatsugi explained. "That kind of put pressure on us, but we really enjoyed putting the project together," he said. 'Ale'a, formerly a quartet that made huge musieal strides at the 2001 Hōkū Awards garnering such honors as group of the year and most promising artists, downsized to a trio with the departure of Kala'i Stern. Stern freed himself from the group's heavy performance and travel schedule a year ago to finish his music degree and head up the Honolulu Boy Choir. "When Kala'i left, people wondered if we would continue. Not continuing was never an option," said Takatsugi.

As a customer service representative at Ala Moana Center, Takatsugi is able to balance his careers, and considers performing and recording a favorite hobby. The trio

rounds out with Ryan "Gonzo" Gonzales, a self-

employed web designer, and Kale Hannahs, a part-time student and a part-timer at Design Systems specializing in home sound systems. Eaeh member is a talented vocalist. īnstrumental arrangements include the standard bass-gui-tar-'ukulele fare

fundamental in Hawaiian music. "We really enjoyed working with Bobby īngano," Takatsugi said, of the steel guitar

work on the hula favorite, "Pō La'ila'i ." Gonzales' banjo gives zip and flare to the Kaha'i Topolinski composition, "Lei 'o Kohala ," an instant radio hit when the proiect debuted this

spring. "This project was really exciting

for us because we had more originals," said Takatsugi. "Kaha'i, Frank Hewett, Kamaka Kūkona, Kale and myself have songs on Kinohi," he said. " Ka Manu Kikaha 'Olu " is Takatsugi's contribution, a tender tribute to the late Aunty Lani "Dear" Custino, whose grace of hula is likened to a "gliding bird lovely in its ascent in the fragrance. " Kinohi : Origins " is well-produced and well-designed. "Brian Onaga was the designer," said Takatsugi. "We wantSee 'ALE'A on page 18

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'ALE'A from page 1 1 ed to do something different - not just stand there and smile. Brian listened to our thoughts and eame up with the look," said Takatsugi. The photography and design is eye-catching, innovative, simple and fresh. "They're doing really well - their music has gotten tighter," said Executive Producer Lea Uyehara of Tropical Music. "They work hard, and ī'm proud of them." Catch 'Ale'a at various events throughout the summers, including the King Kamehameha Hula Competition later this month. ■