Gearing up for Spring’s Kokua Festival

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Going green, eco-friendly, whatever you want to call it is not just for Earth Day, it is a way of life.  (If it’s not, it should be!)  Hawaii’s Jack Johnson will be hosting the Kokua Festival April 23rd and 24th in Honolulu to benefit the Kokua Hawaii Foundation.  Some big name performers will be performing like Ziggy Marley, Jake Shimabukuro, Anuhea, Taj Mahal and of course Jack Johnson.  So if you’re planning a spring trip to the islands, make this festival a stop on your itinerary.  But you don’t need to wait to make a commitment to help save the Earth, see what some are pledging to do to help the environment…

Spend Valentine’s Day with Keali’i Reichel

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If you’re going to be on Maui over Valentine’s Day and you love the soulful crooning of Maui’s own Keali’i Reichel, catch him in concert on February 13th and 14th.  To purchase tickets for his shows at Castle Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, click here.

Keali’i Reichel interview

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Kumu hula and singer Keali’i Reichel does a great interview with Hawaii Magazine.  Thought I’d pass along the link for this rare occasion as he doesn’t give too many interviews…click here for the interview.

Not familiar with Keali’i’s work?  You’re missing out on a truly contemporary Hawaiian voice.  Check out some of my favorite picks of his work below.  I’m particularly fond of Melelana, E O Mai and Kawaipunahele.

 

See America on Maui this weekend

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Saturday, August 8
AMERICA in Concert
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Statehood
Events Lawn 7:00 pm
Gates Open at 6pm

America’s compilation album entitled, History: America’s Greatest Hits released in January 2007, spurred a critical reappraisal of the group’s work that made the band “cool” and “hip” with a newer generation of musicians and fans. Their memorable hits, “Horse With No Name,” “Ventura Highway,” “I Need You,” “Lonely People,” “Muskrat Love,” “Tin Man,” and “Sister Golden Hair” are audience favorites.

With Opening Act HAPA and the Maui-based “Band Champ” youth competition winners from Kamehameha School, “Why Bother” featuring Dane Lum Ho and Kala’e Camarillo.

AMERICA concert tickets are: $40 General Audience, and $65 for VIP seating. All tickets plus applicable fees. Member discount available. AMERICA in concert is a Tom Moffatt Production.

More information at: www.mauiarts.org/august.html

Pineapple Express goes Hawaiian

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Got an interesting little update from Mountain Apple Records.  For those of you who are heading out to see the Seth Rogen high time flick “Pineapple Express” listen for a bit of Hawaii courtesy of Brother Noland!

Popular Hawaiian musician Brother Noland reached national acclaim this week when his hit song, “Coconut Girl,” well known in the Islands, debuted nationally on the soundtrack of Columbia Pictures’ Pineapple Express, released Aug. 6.  The film broke mid-week debut records, grossing just over $12 million its first day in North American theaters. 

Noland is a three-time N? H?k? Hanohano Award-winning musician. His album, Native News, won Contemporary Album of the Year. He garnered the Anthology Album of the Year Award for Brother Noland: Greatest Hits Collection, and most recently, Noland was honored by his peers at the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts with the 2007 Reggae Album of the Year Award for Mystical Fish.  Noland has been an innovator in contemporary Hawaiian music for nearly 30 years. Before Noland’s smash hit “Coconut Girl” made waves in Hawai‘i in the early ‘80s, “Jawaiian” was not a real term. Though he is now credited with having birthed the genre of music so popular in Hawai‘i today, he never imagined it would soar to such heights.

“The idea of our music reaching fans elsewhere was almost impossible about ten years ago,” said Noland. “Hawaiian music is so unique and beautiful, and it expresses an intelligence found no other place in the world; it’s amazing.”  Noland now joins the ranks of Israel “IZ” Kamakawiwo‘ole, Amy H?naiali‘i, and Raiatea Helm, just to name a few, all of whom have broken barriers and introduced Hawaiian music to people worldwide.  When asked what he hopes will come from his music being part of Pineapple Express, Noland said simply, “I want it to open doors and ears, and I want it to reach people’s hearts.”

 
If you’re interested in buying Brother Noland’s CD, it’s available below. It’s good listening!

Fill your holiday home with the sounds of Keali’i Reichel

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If you know of Hawaiian music, then you most certainly know of famed artist Keali’i Reichel.  Keali’i’s melodic voice can make you cry it’s so beautiful.  There’s still time to add this talented artist to your holiday collection with his cd, Maluhia.  Click below and you can preview his tracks to see for yourself how Keali’i Reichel’s cd can live up it’s name.  (Maluhia is “peaceful” in Hawaiian)

KKCR’s Fall 2007 Pledge Drive Celebrates the Power of Community!

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Please help Kauai Community Radio stay on the air by contributing what you can to their Fall Pledge Drive which runs now through the 18th.  They’re a great local radio station on Kauai and rely on support of listeners… local and global.  In the need for some good local music, make sure you tune in and listen live!

Your support makes community radio possible.  There are many ways that you can help us to support community grown radio. Whether its an individual or business donation, volunteering your time or donating membership gifts, KKCR greatly appreciates your contributions. Members receive a plethora of island benefits as well as cd’s, and other gifts based on the level of membership.  Individuals or businesses can also donate gift certificates, goods or services that we will then give away on the air as incentive gifts for membership. Donations of food for our hungry volunteers during the membership drive are also welcome.  Remember, KKCR is a 501c3, non-profit organization which means that your donations are tax deductible.  For more information on any of these options, please call the office at (808) 826-7774.

A great source for Hawaiian music…

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If you’re looking for a place to find some great Hawaiian music, I always use Mele.com.  Mele.com allows you to not only search by artist but by album title or even song lyrics.  I can’t count how many times I’ve entered 2 keywords from a chorus of a song I had no clue who the artist was or even the name of the song and found it thanks to Mele.com.  Many CD’s have the tracks listed in bold which means you can listen to a snippet of the song to make sure it’s the one you were thinking of.  If you find one of your songs is out of print by that artist, search by the song title because many times it’ll come up on a various artists compilation CD.   They also sell Hawaii related DVDs.

If you haven’t heard contemporary Hawaiian music or think it’s all 60’s slack key instrumentals (which are beautiful on their own) like portrayed on TV, then stop by the website and check out some of Hawaii’s best artists.  From Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Keali’i Reichel, Jake Shimabukuro, The Makaha Sons, Na Leo Pilimehana, Raiatea Helm, Robi Kahakalau, and many, many others.  The music of Hawaii is some of the most soothing and groove shakin’ in the world depending on your mood.  If you want to sample some on your computer, go to KPOA.com which is a radio station on Maui.  They’ve got the best DJ’s and it’s a great way to get a taste of music of aloha!

Hawaiian Music: Jake Shimabukuro

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I remember when I first heard of Jake Shimabukuro.  My husband accidentally came across him on a video on the internet, which is how many people come to appreciate his talent.  “Come here, you’ve GOT to see this guy!” he screamed.  “Yeah, yeah,” I thought.  What was so special about this guy?  I mean I love ukulele (correct pronunciation ooh koo lay lay NOT yuke-a-lay lee) music but sheesh, I’d never seen him so excited!  Then I saw the video and realized why the excitement.  Jake is amazing.  He produces sounds with the uke that I didn’t even know was possible.  There’s this really cool sound like what would be considered old school Italian almost in some songs.  It’s just…well, you have to see it to believe it.  So here, you can discover him, if you haven’t already, the way we did…

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