Walking in Waikiki: Hawaii Music Awards
Cloudia Charters
A while back I attended the 10th Annual Hawaii Music Awards courtesy of my good friend Mark Coleman, who’s CD “Tunes With Love” won this year’s trophy for Rock & Roll. It was one of those “only in Waikiki” nights as winners took the stage to perform. Brittni Pavia wasn’t the youngster in the group anymore. First time winner Misaki, an ultra-poised, local middle school student with a really nice voice, just captured everyone’s attention. We even stopped eating when she sang! Waitiki, a group of deceptively young guys, lovingly interpreted the classic Polynesian Exotica of Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman along with nostalgic Hapa-Haole songs of Alfred Apaka and Mahi Beamer. Chicken Skin, eh? But lest you think that the new kids ran away with the evening, let me hasten to mention a few of our reliable local talents who please their many fans, and make new ones, everyday around town. Pierre Grille, that wizard, accompanied several groups in various musical styles all night. You should catch him some Friday night at The Dragon upstairs on Nu`uanu Avenue in Chinatown where he sometimes “solo-duets” playing trumpet with one hand and piano with the other! Fortunately local chanteuse Ginai keeps right up with him as they improvise, play obscure requests, and turn on a musical dime! Speaking of a masterful stage presence, Ernie Cruz Sr. who is patriarch of a large and talented clan including sons John Cruz, and Ernie Cruz Jr; got the whole place stomping with his Big Island Paniola (cowboy) music accompanied by his youngest daughter who also acquitted herself quite nicely on a solo number. Legends Manny K. Fernandez and Peter Apo also won well-deserved accolades this year. Mahalo to ALL who paddle this wonderful canoe that we call “Hawaiian Culture.” Which brings us to a surprise (to me!) winner: Aloha Joe of Alohajoe.com. Since 1994 this haole man on the continent has been web casting great Hawaiian music all over the world! Joe won an award this year for producing a tasty compilation CD entitled “Aloha From Paradise” and was seated with several tables of his listeners who joined his party from all over the world including England, Europe, Canada, and the continental USA! As far as I’m concerned, Aloha Joe is one hanai brother; thanks for sharing Hawaii’s healing magic with the world! . . . Saturday morning, walking down Kalakaua Avenue, I talked with quite a few couples who were exploring our beach town before embarking on cruises. Sure hope they come back sometime to spend more than an afternoon in Waikiki! . . . Arriving in Kapiolani Park where the Prince Kuhio Hawaii Folk Life Festival was taking place, I had the serendipity to catch kumu hula, songwriter, master musician, and Hawaiian cultural specialist Manu Boyd dancing the hula 'Makee Ailana' on the New Park Bandstand. Many folks don’t know that the bandstand is surrounded by ponds and water features because it was specially designed to recall that pleasant landmark (Makee’s Island) of King Kalakaua’s day, so we were seeing the hula in it's home spot! Hula certainly makes us all part of living history. Looking out at the gathered Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Hula Halau, Canoe Paddling clubs, and our local artists, artisans, and food vendors, I couldn’t help but think that the Merrie Monarch (King Kalakaua's fond nickname) would be pleased that his beautiful park, and his beloved people still carry on their precious culture to this very day. So lucky we malahini (new-comers) who’ve joined them in Hawaii, eh? Walking back to the Ala Wai Harbor I was admiring the new Beachwalk project on Lewers Street when whom should I meet but everyone’s old pal Brickwood Galuteria! Brick played great local music for years on local radio, performs musically with Imai & friends on occasion, and even headed up the Hawaii State Democratic Party for a while! Now he’s consulting with Outrigger and others to make sure that Waikiki always maintains its uniqueness, which is founded on the Aloha of our gracious Hawaiian Host Culture. “So you’re out of the public eye.” “For now,” he replied with his eyes twinkling. Our next Senator? (Update: he was just elected State Senator for Waikiki!) . . . While down on Lewers, be sure to explore all the improvements. . . . While I adore a Ruth’s Chris steak, a Beard Papa crème puff, or gelato as much as anyone, I’m especially happy to see a favorite local eatery, like Top of Waikiki, continue to spread it’s wings and soar in this newly freshened area. Good local grinds (food), friendly service, and yes – REAL Hawaiian music are still on the menu…when you’re walking in Waikiki. . . . Aloha! Cloudia
Cloudia Charters
A while back I attended the 10th Annual Hawaii Music Awards courtesy of my good friend Mark Coleman, who’s CD “Tunes With Love” won this year’s trophy for Rock & Roll. It was one of those “only in Waikiki” nights as winners took the stage to perform. Brittni Pavia wasn’t the youngster in the group anymore. First time winner Misaki, an ultra-poised, local middle school student with a really nice voice, just captured everyone’s attention. We even stopped eating when she sang! Waitiki, a group of deceptively young guys, lovingly interpreted the classic Polynesian Exotica of Martin Denny and Arthur Lyman along with nostalgic Hapa-Haole songs of Alfred Apaka and Mahi Beamer. Chicken Skin, eh? But lest you think that the new kids ran away with the evening, let me hasten to mention a few of our reliable local talents who please their many fans, and make new ones, everyday around town. Pierre Grille, that wizard, accompanied several groups in various musical styles all night. You should catch him some Friday night at The Dragon upstairs on Nu`uanu Avenue in Chinatown where he sometimes “solo-duets” playing trumpet with one hand and piano with the other! Fortunately local chanteuse Ginai keeps right up with him as they improvise, play obscure requests, and turn on a musical dime! Speaking of a masterful stage presence, Ernie Cruz Sr. who is patriarch of a large and talented clan including sons John Cruz, and Ernie Cruz Jr; got the whole place stomping with his Big Island Paniola (cowboy) music accompanied by his youngest daughter who also acquitted herself quite nicely on a solo number. Legends Manny K. Fernandez and Peter Apo also won well-deserved accolades this year. Mahalo to ALL who paddle this wonderful canoe that we call “Hawaiian Culture.” Which brings us to a surprise (to me!) winner: Aloha Joe of Alohajoe.com. Since 1994 this haole man on the continent has been web casting great Hawaiian music all over the world! Joe won an award this year for producing a tasty compilation CD entitled “Aloha From Paradise” and was seated with several tables of his listeners who joined his party from all over the world including England, Europe, Canada, and the continental USA! As far as I’m concerned, Aloha Joe is one hanai brother; thanks for sharing Hawaii’s healing magic with the world! . . . Saturday morning, walking down Kalakaua Avenue, I talked with quite a few couples who were exploring our beach town before embarking on cruises. Sure hope they come back sometime to spend more than an afternoon in Waikiki! . . . Arriving in Kapiolani Park where the Prince Kuhio Hawaii Folk Life Festival was taking place, I had the serendipity to catch kumu hula, songwriter, master musician, and Hawaiian cultural specialist Manu Boyd dancing the hula 'Makee Ailana' on the New Park Bandstand. Many folks don’t know that the bandstand is surrounded by ponds and water features because it was specially designed to recall that pleasant landmark (Makee’s Island) of King Kalakaua’s day, so we were seeing the hula in it's home spot! Hula certainly makes us all part of living history. Looking out at the gathered Hawaiian Civic Clubs, the Hula Halau, Canoe Paddling clubs, and our local artists, artisans, and food vendors, I couldn’t help but think that the Merrie Monarch (King Kalakaua's fond nickname) would be pleased that his beautiful park, and his beloved people still carry on their precious culture to this very day. So lucky we malahini (new-comers) who’ve joined them in Hawaii, eh? Walking back to the Ala Wai Harbor I was admiring the new Beachwalk project on Lewers Street when whom should I meet but everyone’s old pal Brickwood Galuteria! Brick played great local music for years on local radio, performs musically with Imai & friends on occasion, and even headed up the Hawaii State Democratic Party for a while! Now he’s consulting with Outrigger and others to make sure that Waikiki always maintains its uniqueness, which is founded on the Aloha of our gracious Hawaiian Host Culture. “So you’re out of the public eye.” “For now,” he replied with his eyes twinkling. Our next Senator? (Update: he was just elected State Senator for Waikiki!) . . . While down on Lewers, be sure to explore all the improvements. . . . While I adore a Ruth’s Chris steak, a Beard Papa crème puff, or gelato as much as anyone, I’m especially happy to see a favorite local eatery, like Top of Waikiki, continue to spread it’s wings and soar in this newly freshened area. Good local grinds (food), friendly service, and yes – REAL Hawaiian music are still on the menu…when you’re walking in Waikiki. . . . Aloha! Cloudia
