Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 21, Number 4, 1 April 2004 — Nā Palapalai takes the stage at historic Hawaiʻi Theatre [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Nā Palapalai takes the stage at historic Hawaiʻi Theatre

By Manu Boyd When the plush velvet curtain is lifted at 8 p.m. on Fri. April 23, Keao Costa has no idea what the Hawai'i Theatre stage will look like. "I have no idea," he shrugged. But you certainly see Costa, along with music mates Kuana Torres and Kēhau Tamure - the hot Hawaiian trio named for eool mountain ferns, "Nā Palapalai." "Palapalai is a fern and a kinolau plant associated with the hula. We see ourselves as being like an adornment for the dancer," said Costa adding that hula will be a big part of their debut solo concert at the historic downtown Honolulu landmark. "Aunty Māpu and Aunty Flo will be in the show," he said referring to long-time hula afficionados known their performances that range from elegant to extremely kolohe (rascal, naughty) hula. "We haven't confirmed any hālau yet, but will shortly. And Tehani will dance for

sure," he said, of the former Miss

Aloha Hula who along with group manager Shawn s

Kekoa Pimental help keep the busy trio > organized and on /;

track. Costa, 27, is a Damien Memorial I graduate, while I Tamure and Torres \ both eome from

Hilo - 'Ainaloa and Pi'ihonua, respec- ■ tively. "Kuana moved

back to Pi'ihonua, but flies back and forth for n gigs," said Costa. All full-time

musicians, the group has plans for trips to Japan, Tahiti, and Aotearoa next year. On the heals of their 5-Hōkū Award-winning

debut CD "Makani 'OIu'oIu" is "Ke 'AIa Beauty,"

their second - and according to Costa - their best yet. "This CD has more songs - about

15. About half are originals by Kēhau and Kuana. The others are old favorites L that mostly go with hula. My

favorites on this one are "Ko Ma'i " and "Manu Mele." Get your tickets today for Hawai'i Theatre's Hana Hou Series April Show featuring one of Hawai'i's hottest groups in years.

V And although Keao and friends don't ¥ know exactly what will be in the eoncert, based on their impressive reper-

toire, quality recordings, hula dancing / friends and "wee ha" spirit, it's going to be i winner. ■

Palapalai fern inspired the popular Hawaiian trio's name. Photo: Manu Boyd

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