Hawaii Music Awards

Ted Trimmer photo:

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

Honolulu Nights

AhiAhi - Night.


It is the time of PO: darkness & mystery.

"Night, the beloved. Night, when words fade and things come alive. When the destructive analysis of day is done, and all that is truly important becomes whole and sound again. When man reassembles his fragmentary self and grows with the calm of a tree." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

"There they stand, the innumerable stars, shining in order like a living hymn, written in light." - N.P. Willis

"Cities, like cats, will reveal themselves at night." - Rupert Brooke

On the 'mainland', night skies are all about astronomy, science fiction and space travel; but in Hawaii star filled nights are redolent of myth and cultural memory. Hoku Lei`a (the star of gladness) led the people here to these islands in their voyaging canoes. The night sky speaks of voyages, but ancient ones. It is a map across time and the sea. Ancestors and gods, akua and amakua, look down here where all the action is. Jump in! Ahui Ho - We Go!

A L O H A!

Cloudia

Yes We CAN!

"You can always count on the U.S. to do the right thing - once it has exhausted the alternatives." - Winston Churchill

"It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something."

- Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt

In the days when the U.S. was being born through a declaration of independence, and a groundbreaking Constitution, one of our founding statesmen was scientist, thinker, inventor, writer/publisher, and bon vivant, Benjamin Franklin.

One afternoon, upon leaving the Pennsylvania Statehouse (which we call Independence Hall today) a passing tradesman asked him what was going on inside. Dr. Franklin told about a chair in the statehouse which had a half-sun carved upon it. "I look at that sun and ask myself if it is a rising, or a setting sun. Today I know that it is a rising sun. We have a free country, a democracy . . . if we can keep it."

I love the land of my birth; it's a natural way to feel. But lately I, and many other citizens, have been made to feel disloyal for calling our country back to it's better angels. My entire life has been lived in a time of culture war. Liberty, free opinion, civility, have all been damaged in some deep way. But now those warriors are getting on in age. A new generation of pragmatism, one motivated by high ideals, prepares to take center stage.

I have seen JFK rise and fall. Dr. King inspire and fall. I have seen humans walk on the moon, polio defeated, the Berlin wall's demise, and the turn of a century from "19" to "20". But NEVER have I experienced a moment in history like this one.

Last night's weather forecast: "High Clouds Clearing Tomorrow."

Perhaps the Hawaiian way has rubbed off on me, but I can read messages in those skies:

Yes. The shadow will be off of our high places soon. The sun seems to be rising.

We know that trauma lives on in the body and the mind, and that it can span generations ("The sins of the father"). Today the brow of every American of color is smoother. The conscience of every European-American is lighter. My bi-racial nephew will grow up in a changed world. Dr. King did not live to get here with us, but WE AS A PEOPLE are entering a promised land. A land where the great ideals of America are a little more tangible. Where we listen to each other "especially when we disagree." Where the 'heavy lifting' can begin.

"Free at last, Free at last. Thank God almighty we're free at last."

Today my flag is wholly sweet to me again; once more it represents values higher than torture, and endless war. It belongs to me as a citizen, representing my fondest ideals and aspirations again. New solutions are at hand and we are all a part of them.

This morning George W. Bush made a gracious, articulate speech that I listened to without rising blood pressure. It was addressed to me, to all of us as one people.

English drinking song during the American Revolution: "The world turned upside down."

An age of Miracles has begun! A L O H A! Cloudia

Bitter Sweet

At Indianapolis rally from which Obama returned to Honolulu for his final visit with dear "Toots."
courtesy of Dan Axler













Ted Trimmer Photo (middle)

Just so we can vote.

Young Barry Obama's Young Street between his home and school. (below)

Madelyn Payne Dunham

1922 - 2008

"From clerk to vice president of Bank of Hawaii (1970); The Tutu (grandmother) called 'Toot' who largely raised young Barry (Barak) Obama."

[She] "was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She ... left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring," said Obama and his sister, Honolulu teacher Maya Soetoro-Ng, in a statement yesterday.

Victorious Roman generals rode through the imperial city amidst a great public celebration called a "triumph." To remind them of the passing nature of all earthly glory, and to keep them grounded, someone rode in the chariot just behind them, every so often whispering in their ear: "This too shall pass." Let's celebrate this election day by honoring the hopes and sacrifices of those who came before us. Let's honor our children; and their children too with our vote. For today, history is being made; even as those who helped bring it about take their leave . . .

Warm ALOHA to you this day! Cloudia

Self Portraits

top: Ted Trimmer

Chinese Christian Church

Young St. shops

"The stone said to the cloud: "You are not strong like me, or hard. What good are you?" -Annonymous

"A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it, an apostle is unlikely to look out." -George C. Lichtenberg

". . . errors are [his] portals of discovery." - James Joyce

"It's OK to be different. Isn't it?" - A 6 year old

Your life is a work of art

a self-portrait in fact and deed.

Things that happen, "good" and "bad"

are just the artists material.

One's life is a self portrait

what does yours look like?

Dedicated to Studs Turkel, who showed the beauty and power of "average" lives.

A L O H A! Cloudia

Politics

Pauoa Valley

3 guys, oh, and Diamond Head too. A Ted Trimmer photo.

It's ME!

"What experience and history teach is that people and governments have never learned anything from history." - G.W.F. Hegel

"Few people can be happy unless they hate some other person, nation, or creed." - Bertrand Russell

"People who pin their faith to a catchword never feel the necessity of understanding anything," - Agnes Repplier

Aren't YOU tired of slogans, endless "gotcha" politics, and false ideological dichotomies? Public affairs are not a game, but those who've made a good living "gaming" the system won't lead us out of this mess. It is up to ALL OF US to stop arguing about talking-points; there are too many important conversations we need to start having at last.

Listening to anothers' point of view with civility and tolerance doesn't mean that you approve of their viewpoint. In a democracy we are all free to live our values and traditions, and our country is unique and wonderful because of this diversity.

There are more of US than their are of THEM, the "insiders." Let's take back our nation and it's wealth for our kids, for infrastructure repair, and for real defense, not more hand-outs to the fabulously wealthy. Please don't 'trickle down' on me - create a level playing field where we ALL can contribute and compete fairly. Please VOTE!

A L O H A! Cloudia

CEOs, lobbyists, pundits, and millionaires have forgotten what life is really like for

Ghosts of Honolulu

"Aumakua in the clouds"

ghost image

RIP

Moe (Sleep) Mahuhia (peaceful)

Breadfruit

"Family ties in the after-world remain unbroken, and all Hawaiians believe in the power of spirits to return to the scenes they knew on earth in the form in which they appeared while the were alive. Especially is this true of the procession of gods and spirits who come on certain sacred nights to visit the sacred places, or to welcome a dying relative and conduct him to the `Aumakua (ancestral spirit) world."

- Martha Beckworth, "Hawaiian Mythology"

". . . I was allowed a glimpse of a world where the spirits were so ever-present, their manifestations so powerful, that the living and the dead knew no separation...The first direct assault on this [Hawaiian] world of spirit came from the materialism of Westerners who did not recognize the sacredness of all life, animate and inanimate. . . When the Hawaiian spiritual world was altered with the coming of merchants and missionaries, (Samuel M.) Kamakau wrote that much of the Mana left the islands, as new religions, economic systems and attitudes prevailed. In the ancient days, the `Aumakua, family spirits, were healers and 'havens of forgiveness.' They guided the living and even restored life to the dead. 'In this new era,' Kamakau noted, 'the `aumakua have become bitter enemies who punish severely the faults of their descendants when they break a vow they have sworn in their names; . . who break laws, commit adultery, and disregard the laws of God, of the land, of parents, husbands, wives, children and relatives.' "

- Glen Grant, Obake Files: Ghostly Encounters of Supernatural Hawaii, Mutual Publishing

"We must be skeptical about everything, even skepticism" - Cornell West

Spiritual energy seems almost tangible here in the Islands of Hawaii. The seas, skies, and mountain forests are rich with presence; perhaps it is the Mana, the spiritual "force" that animates every pebble, every boulder, every plant on these islands. In this magic land, this `Aina, it is very easy to believe in spirits. The soil itself seems alive.

Watching the volcano fountaining one night years ago, my brother suddenly saw Madame Pele, the volcano goddess dancing hula and surfing on the molten lava. He immediately turned to his friend (who turned to him at the same second) and they both blurted out: "Do you see that?!!!!!" Stories of an old woman hitching rides at night, lighting proffered cigarettes with the tip of her finger, and then disappearing after lengthy conversations, are not uncommon, and the drivers SWEAR that it happened; in some cases thanking Pele for keeping them awake and away from the sea cliffs as they drove home drunk in the wee hours.

I myself have experienced the mischievous spirits of our wilder places. One night they awakened me in my Kona coffee shack, way up on the mountainside. I thought it was a large group of partiers approaching. As I awoke completely, I still heard the voices and I saw darting lights about the shack, but I knew that these were not living visitors. After a few moments they disappeared into the silence of a moonlit night. And no, it wasn't a dream . . .

. . . As Glen Grant wrote, the torches still burn right here in Waikiki too! One Christmas eve a few years ago my husband and I were walking along the bustling, crowded, festive sidewalk of Kalakaua Avenue when I looked beyond the beach and out to the dark ocean to see a procession of torches moving slowly along the shoreline. Never had I seen anything like this: not lights, but torches. No one else seemed to notice, and my husband gave only a perfunctory response when I pointed them out to him. He didn't seem to see what I was talking about. Only later did I learn that processions of Hawaiian spirits are thought to travel from Diamond Head to visit the downtown tombs of ancient of chiefs, kings and kahuna. . .

. . .Diamond Head itself once had a Heiau, (temple) called: Papa-ena-ena which was known as a place of processions and occasional human sacrifice. Mark Twain wrote of visiting it's crumbling walls and of the human bones still interred there. In 1874 Queen Emma (brave lady!) used rocks from the site on her Waikiki property, where they remain today at the International Market Place. Maybe that's why it's so easy to get lost in that warren of shops, carts, and bargains? By 1920 all traces of the temple were erased, and a noted girls' school now thrives on that particular slope of Diamond Head. . .

. . .Downtown Honolulu has always been rife with ghosts and their stories. The voices of crying children are heard in the night where the old orphanage was. A young wahine (woman) is seen at dusk on the grounds of Iolani Palace. Its grounds have long been considered a portal to the world of Po (darkness, night). Queen Liliuokalani herself is seen to patrol the precincts of her capitol (and ours!) keeping a watchful eye on the idiocy of our elected officials who bear her Kuleana (responsibilities) today. . .

. . . Honolulu's most famous ghost story was even reported in the newspapers! When King Lunalilo died in 1874 he was buried at midnight (the custom) at the Royal Mausoleum in Nu`uanu Valley above town. His father, however, asked King Kalakaua to remove his sons royal remains to Kawaiaha`o Church where the first elected Hawaiian king could lie with his people. The King acceded to the families wishes deciding, however, that no cannons would sound the 21 gun salute for the procession and re-burial; it seemed inappropriate under the circumstances. So the Punchbowl cannons were ordered to remain silent. As the procession of torches and high Kahili (feathered staff, emblems of High Chiefs and Royalty) approached the city a slight rain (a blessing) baptized the mourners and coffin. Then they heard the first "boom!" Had the King changed his mind about the artillery salute? No! It was thunder from on high! 21 loud, distinct claps of thunder were heard over the town. The clouds parted to reveal a brilliant star-filled tropic sky only as the coffin was re interred. "Thus did the gods overrule the will of a mortal." reported a local paper of the day. I have been to Lunalilo's tomb in the historic churchyard. Locals say that in the depths of night a voice is sometimes heard calling from the tomb, calling for "paka" (tobacco) of which the the King was very fond.

Photos above are from the Kawaiahao churchyard, and the old King Street Cemetery at Ward Avenue. If you are a serious ghost fan, your library MUST contain at least one book by Glen Grant (RIP)! oh, and . . . . . . . .

BOO!!!!!!!!!!

A L O H A, CLOUDIA