Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 29, Number 5, 1 May 2012 — Music and hula's finest to lead Nā Hōkū festival workshops [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Music and hula's finest to lead Nā Hōkū festival workshops

By Lynn Cook Two young men with 'ukulele tucked under their arms stood back, watching and listening to the 'ukulele and guitar jam in the sunny third-floor courtyard of the Hawai'i Convention Center. Not yet 20, their eager body language said, if asked, they were ready to join in and play. Their smiles said, "We're just happy to be here." The music experience is the two-day Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Festival workshops preceding the momentous night of Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. Like all attendees, the Kalihi boys, Danny and Keo, who didn't want to give their last names, had to piek between lectures and sessions presented by the music greats of Hawai'i. By the end of the weekend the boys were planning for the 2012 series of workshops and saying to one another, "Who would ever think that we could be three feet away from Cyril Pahinui, asking any question we wanted? And even more, having him answer us." They ticked off names such as Keali'i Reichel, Dennis Kamakahi, Cyril Pahinui, John Cruz, Natalie Ai Kamauu, Malani Bilyeu and a dozen more, amazed at the accessibility of the stars, eaeh with something to teach

and eaeh willing to share. Pali Ka'aihue, vice president of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts, and creator of the Pakele Live worldwide streaming TV show, is one of the masterminds behind the workshop series. "Our challenge was to create something beyond the night of awards, something that would enrich the community and inspire musicians and fans," he said. Moving into the third year, the annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Festival workshops and concerts do just that. The May 25 and 26 workshops, held in the meeting rooms of the Hawai'i Convention Center, have star participation and themes, but as in all settings where Hawaiian music is front and center, spontaneity reigns. Puakea Nogelmeier will give a talk on Hawaiian composition. Keali'i Reichel will also discuss his work. David Benoit will field questions about technique and worldwide performances. John Cruz will offer insight on how he composes his music. Another workshop will cover the new topics of social media, marketing and blogs. Every workshop is interactive with time for Q&A and dialogue with the presenters. Anticipate singing, dancing along with the music at the wāhine workshop with Natalie Ai Kamauu, Ku'uipo Kumukahi and Haunani Apo-

liona. Haku mele is Moon Kauakahi's topic; Lehua Kalima will talk songwriting. Any workshop ean suddenly heeome a backyard party when one presenter wanders in on another's talk. The musicians all agree that attendees find the convention center a happy surprise. Easy access parking is ample and affordable. Conference rooms are set up well in talk-story or performance mode. Outside every door, open spaces are filled with art, gardens, benches and chairs, perfect to continue any discussion with kanikapila. Ka'aihue says that the workshops have been designed for musicians and non-musicians who SEE NĀHŌKŪ ON PAGE 12

MELE MEI Mele Mei is a monthlong celebration of Hawaiian music anel Hawai'i's musicthrough concerts, hula, the annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Festival anel mueh more. Below are some highlighted events. For updates and more information, visit melemei.com. May 11-13 lnternational Waikiki Hula Conference, Hawai'i Convention Center May 15 Halekūlani presents The New Generation featuring Mailani Makainai, Halekūlani May 18 Hilton Hawaiian Village presents Nā Hōkū Hanohano All-Stars featuring Maunalua, Cyril Pahinui and John Cruz, Hilton Hawaiian Village May 20 Slack Key All-Stars, Royal Hawaiian Center May 22 Halekūlani presents The New Generation featuring Kūpaoa, Halekūlani May 24 Royal Hawaiian Hotel presents Na Wāhine Hanohano featuring Teresa Bright and NatalieAi Kamauu, Royal Hawaiian Hotel May 24-28 Waikiki Beach Walk music events, Beach Walk May 25 Moana Surfrider presents Sounds of Waikiki, Moana Surfrider May 25-26 Na Hōkū Hanohano Music Festival workshops, Hawai'i Convention Center May 25-26 Hula i ke Kai hula performances, Waikiki Hula Mound May 26 The Modern Honolulu presents lsland Rock featuring The Throwdowns and Pimpbot May 27 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, Hawai'i Convention Center May 29 Halekūlani presents The New Generation featuring Mark Yamanaka, Halekūlani

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John Cruz, foreground, will return for a composer workshop at this year's Nā Hōkū Hanohano Music Festival. - Courtesy: Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts

NĀ HŌKŪ Continued from page 6 just want to learn more about music, dance and composition. He notes that HARA set the price of $40 for a single workshop to keep the program affordable (HARA members pay $25). The kama'āina rate is $90 for an all day, two-day pass. The HARA board also decided to invite school students, from grade school to college age, to attend the workshops for free. In addition, as part of Mele Mei's celebration of Hawai'i's music throughout May, live eoncert performances featuring Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award winners and nominees will be held at the Halekūlani, Hihon Hawaiian Village Resort & Spa, The Modern Honolulu, Royal Hawaiian, Moana Surfrider, Paeihe Beach Hotel, Waiklkl Beach Walk and Royal Hawaiian Center.

Within the arts community anticipation is growing as well. Many of the stars and guests of the upcoming Nā Hōkū Hanohano events and awards will see, for the first time, the OHA-spon-sored Hawai 'i Kākou mural. The 80-foot masterpiece is the convention center's first pieee of art by Native Hawaiian artists, completed in seven days in October, directed by Meleanna Meyer and painted by Meyer and artists Solomon Enos, Kahi Ching, A1 Lagunero and Harinane Orme, six alaka'i and 17 students. The music workshop series is sponsored by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawai'i Tourism Authority and Kintetsu Hawai'i. Information is available online at nahokumusicfestival.com. ■ Lynn Cook is a īoeaī freeīance journaīist sharing the arts and cuīture ofHawai'i with a global audience.