Joseph Kekuku Statue

Derrick Mau · Post by **Derrick Mau** » 27 Apr 2015 10:20 pm

Took the long drive to the Polynesian Cultural Center today in Lai'e for the statue unveiling ceremony for Joseph Kekuku. Here's a pic of it.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 28 Apr 2015 3:29 am

That is a beautiful statue.

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 28 Apr 2015 5:35 am

Very nice.

David Matzenik · Post by **David Matzenik** » 28 Apr 2015 12:41 pm

Where's the railroad spike?

But seriously, the pose and the hands are both good. A lot of modern bronzes are not so well researched.

Billy Easton · Post by **Billy Easton** » 28 Apr 2015 12:58 pm

Looks great to me, too!

Derrick Mau · Post by **Derrick Mau** » 28 Apr 2015 4:37 pm

Dave,

One of his family members who came up to speak said it was a metal comb that fell onto the strings. Kekuku later made his own bar according to the speaker, but no mention of the shape. This one on the statue looks like a Stevens Bar.

Wally Pfeifer · Post by **Wally Pfeifer** » 28 Apr 2015 5:17 pm

Derrick,- my good friend. Mahalo for the pic and your note. Peg & I are here for the HSGA Convention but we did not take the looong drive to the PCC. Have visited with Jeff, Kaipo, Casey, Gary, Cyril, Peter, Hiram and others so far. And of course,- you.
There was only a small pic and a few lines about the
statue in this morning paper. Have seen nothing on TV. See you tomorrow and/or Thursday.

Wally & Peg

Chris Templeton · Post by **Chris Templeton** » 28 Apr 2015 5:47 pm

. A beautiful statue.

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 29 Apr 2015 3:43 pm

This statue is very beautiful and it captures the posture, the concentration, and the technique of playing lap steel on lap and the sculptor must be given very high credit for it.

Just a pity that the statue is located in the far-off Polynesian Cultural Centre. It would have been more appropriate to have located it along the beach at Waikiki where the steel guitar was first played and propagated. And it should have been located right next to the statue of Duke Kahanamoku on Kuhio Beach...

Kay

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 30 Apr 2015 7:25 am

And he's buried in Morristown (Dover) New Jersey.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 30 Apr 2015 8:02 am

Representational public sculpture is rather out of fashion these days and there are not many artists are around who were trained to do it a high level. So, pretty great to see the steel guitar represented so well.

My mom worked on the art commission for a major US city in the 70s & early 80s and the political intrigue and back room deals surrounding which artists got which commission and for what style of art was truly worthy of the Borgias.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 30 Apr 2015 8:34 am

Erv Niehaus wrote:And he's buried in Morristown (Dover) New Jersey.

I took part in a concert which was dedicated to Joseph Kekuku in Dover, NJ about 10 years ago. Was great fun and there were some terrific players in attendance.

Todd Clinesmith · Post by **Todd Clinesmith** » 30 Apr 2015 8:40 am

Just Beautiful .

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 30 Apr 2015 8:45 am

Certainly beats the Lucille Ball statue.

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 30 Apr 2015 12:32 pm

Lucy looks a little stoned to me, even though she is in bronze.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 30 Apr 2015 12:41 pm

This one of Mary Tyler Moore in Minneapolis is a lot better.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 30 Apr 2015 1:06 pm

Wow, what was that guy thinking!? I would have loved to have been there for the unveiling of the statue and witnessed the collective gasp of horror from the locals! Yes, that idiot had some 'splaining to do!

Norman Markowitz · Post by **Norman Markowitz** » 30 Apr 2015 8:27 pm

WOW,except for the face, it's a perfect likeness.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 2 May 2015 12:14 pm

Whoever did this fine statue of Joseph Kukuku did a fantastic piece of art while also researching the Hawaiian Steel Guitar, how it is played, etc. I really feel it is located in the right place, the P.C.C. near Laie where Kekuku lived. My only wish is that the great Tau Moe, also of Laie, could have lived a few years longer in his old age so that he might have been there for the unveiling ceremony. Tau would have loved this work of art ! (Actually, it almost resembles Tau!) It is well worth the travel along the coast of Oahu to view this fine statue...no need for it to be placed on commercial Waikiki Beach. JMHO.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 2 May 2015 12:14 pm

(duplicated in error)

Wally Pfeifer · Post by **Wally Pfeifer** » 2 May 2015 1:11 pm

Aloha George,
Have you looked at the video that Derrick posted on this SGF. Short but nice. Haven't seen you in Hawaii or any of the HSGA or AISGC Conventions in a long time. Are you still a member of the clubs?
As long as you're still playing ,- hang in there.
There is also a link on the SGF somewhere to a show that Bobby, Gary and Kaipo did. Good, too. Have you seen it?
Aloha,
Wally Pfeifer

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 3 May 2015 11:32 pm

Hi WALLY...Yep, I'm still around at 87, still actively bashing away on steel, r/guitar, bass, et al. Yes I have indeed heard that great Bobby Ingano performance....awesome! I'm still teaching (mostly seniors) ... have 28 students who attend class weekly every Thursday....great people. Sadly, of the 28, only 4 are on steel, the rest are enjoying ukulele...nevertheless they are a fun bunch! Hope you are still active also. I have great memories, tapes and photos of the many conventions years ago. I think my convention days are pau...very little interest in travelling long distances any more. Best wishes to you and all who recall the good olde days of Joliet, Winchester and of course, Honolulu.

Isaac Akuna · Post by **Isaac Akuna** » 6 May 2015 9:55 am

Thanks for the pics Derrick. It was a terrific event for those who attended.
That statue is exactly where it should be. Joseph Kekuku is one of the favorite sons of Laie where he grew up and developed his technique for the "Hawaiian Guitar" , a technique that the steel guitar world now emulates.
Kay Das ,in the 1880's there was no Waikiki as you would know it. I wished you would study the history of this instrument before you bashed the people and the efforts behind its origin. The " Polyplastic " Cultural Center you referenced is a multi-cultural institution in Laie, and the only means for many of the youth of Polynesia who have no other opportunities to finance a collegiate education to share their cultural roots and improve their lot in life. My older sister did exactly that by attending BYU Hawaii ( then known as the Church College of Hawaii). She became a lifelong educator here in Hawaii.
Laie is a rural community , and in the 1880's all of Hawai'i would be considered an undeveloped , but sovereign third world country. In 1891 Joseph Kekuku ventured to Honolulu to attend an all boys, all Hawaiian boarding school where he shared his invention with other Polynesians. The rest is established history. Your comments are insulting and demeaning to Hawaiians in general and to the people on this forum in particular.
Participants on this forum generally mean well, but I have to take personal exception to your post.

George Keoki Lake · Post by **George Keoki Lake** » 6 May 2015 3:03 pm

Well written Isaac. I was well acquainted with the TAU MOE FAMILY, (Tau, Rose, Lani and Dorian). Lani and Dorian both worked at the PCC. (Lani has since passed). Dorian took pride in escorting my (late) wife and myself through the grounds of the PCC on many occasions. One year I had the pleasure of performing near the Whaling Wall and almost froze to death ! It was a year when, for whatever reason, a very cold wind prevailed and though I am used to Canadian cold weather, I could hardly hold my steel bar while performing ! The PCC is a 'must-see' for anyone with the slightest interest in Polynesian culture. I fully understand and agree with your comments Isaac. Aloha.

Kay Das · Post by **Kay Das** » 6 May 2015 3:54 pm

Gentlemen, Sincere apologies, written in jest and unpardonably insensitive. My bad. I have nothing but admiration for the musical and cultural traditions of Hawaii and its geographic neighbours....and the great people (yourselves included) that help perpetrate them.

Let nothing detract, however, from the beauty of this statue, a creation of great skill and sensitivity and something that I will definitely wish to see " in the flesh" on the next of my frequent visits to the Hawaiian islands..

Kay