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Topic: Vintage Sonny Kamahele |
Derrick Mau
From:
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 8 Mar 2007 8:57 pm |
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As you know, Sonny was one of the old time steel guitar greats.
Last edited by Derrick Mau on 5 Jul 2007 3:04 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 8 Mar 2007 10:12 pm
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| Sonny was a fine entertainer who was affectionately referred to as "Mr. Hollywood" due to the time he spent in the town of films. He was also a composer of many beautiful songs, an excellent vocalist, emcee, r/guitarist and really, just a nice guy in every respect. He had a very interesting steel guitar style, usually played in the D9th tuning. Sonny was probably one of the last of those of the "Golden Years of Hawaiian Music" (Benny, Barney, Alfred, Jules, et al). Those of us who were privileged to know him miss him very much. |
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Bill Leff
From:
Santa Cruz, CA, USA
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Posted 9 Mar 2007 9:08 am
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| Derrick- Thanks for taking the time and energy to post this and other music you've posted lately. It's always great to hear good music. |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 9 Mar 2007 1:46 pm
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Derrick,
Keep those archives open, these examples are terrific.
Hope we can hear alot more.
I am hoping that I can get some things on MP3 to share in the future.
Aloha, 
Don |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 9 Mar 2007 2:54 pm
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| I met Sonny in 2003, but didn't get to know him. It was nice to save something from his last performance. |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 9 Mar 2007 3:20 pm
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Too bad Bill, that you didn't get to spend quality time with Sonny, you'd have appreciated the conversation, I'm quite sure.
The guy was a wealth of info on many musical topics concerning Hawaiian music and entertainers.
Funny guy.
For his last TV apprearance, on a local morning news show about a year before his passing, he played Mel Abe's Fender D8 Stringer which had been Sonny'd (painted black with a house paint brush, and not well). As the camera panned accross the front of the steel, the Fender 'logo' could easily be seen, as a piece of masking tape with FENDER written in black felt pen (again, not very well)!
Unfortunately, his last nights at the Haleku' were hardly a happy send off for him personally. The hurt was evident in his face as he just starred off knowing it was all over.
He soon after moved to the Big Island and died.
Thanx for the music, Derrick! |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 11 Mar 2007 11:24 pm
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Sonny Kamahele, as well as the other Hawaiian entertainers, at the Halekulani would visit with the HSGA steel guitar players between sets. Over the many years attending HSGA conventions, many of us became well acquainted with most of the entertainers because they were so friendly with alot of aloha.
Bill, you just needed to come to HSGA convention's earlier and you could have had a lot of conversation with Sonny, as well as other prominent entertainers, and received a lot of information.
Sonny's purpose seemed to be in his music. He was a great entertainer over the years. When they retired him, maybe they retired his purpose. I wonder if that contributed to his death. 
There is a big black hole because he is gone.
Aloha,
Don |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 14 Mar 2007 8:50 pm
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| Knowing Sonny as Ron and the rest of us did, it's reasonably certain he died of a broken heart. |
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Jeff Au Hoy
From:
Honolulu, Hawai'i
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Posted 15 Mar 2007 7:43 pm
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Can't say I knew Sonny, but I did get to "hang" with him several times when he stopped by Bobby Ingano's place (he lived right up the road). A light hearted, humorous Hawaiian man of that old style grace. When I first started playing rhythm guitar a couple of years after I picked up the steel, he was the guy I wanted to be like. I still do. He was so slick on stage, hands so relaxed (he had BIG hands)... just crooning the nite away. My favorite recording of him singing is "Anapau" with the Maile Serenaders, cut sometime back in the 1950's.
I was there on his last nite at the Halekulani too. Sure put a lump in my throat. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 15 Mar 2007 9:01 pm
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| I think another who was treated so unfairly by management of the Haleku' was the wonderful Walter Mo'okini. You could never meet a nicer person...a real veteran of Hawaiian music who knew all the songs ever written. Sang beautiful falsetto, played nice rhythm guitar and bass, plus his steel work was so good. I feel they treated him shabily. Am I wrong ? |
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Don Kona Woods
From:
Hawaiian Kama'aina
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Posted 15 Mar 2007 11:13 pm
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No, Keoki. You are right on the money. 
Their terrible treatment of him, affected him greatly. Afterwards he gave up on his music altogether. Sad story.
I wish that there was still a place for him because he is such a great person and a great musician and entertainer.
I have known Walter since the 1980's and have great affection for him. He has so much aloha.
Aloha,
Don |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2007 10:14 am
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The Haleku' can't be faulted in Sonny's case.
He was let go by the leader of the group, whom he allowed to be the leader.
But, the hotel certainly has a history of bad moves concerning the musicians.
Walter's case being about the worst example of NO Aloha.
This fine gentleman was then 80ish, had just come off double knee surgery, and they fired him for returning to the stage too slowly.
This after I spoke to the GM, Mr. Honda about such a potentialy pathetic move, to which he replied, "that kind of decision would have to pass before me to happen"...
I've long hoped that those who could provide Walter a last shot of deserved respect before he leaves us, would finally do so, and it should be at THIS year's Ala Wai steel show. |
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George Keoki Lake
From:
Edmonton, AB., Canada
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Posted 16 Mar 2007 1:49 pm
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Right on Ron! ...Hey Derrick, Jeff, et al...how about everyone getting together and arranging a WALTER MO'OKINI recognition ? Make sure someone goes to pick him up and take him to the Ala Wai. Put a blurb in the media to invite one and all to attend. It's the very LEAST his fellow entertainers could do. I only wish I could be there if and when it happens. Please don't procrastinate until it's becomes too late. Show him your Aloha NOW while he is still amongst us....he is one of Hawai'i's Living Treasures!
Yes, as Don sadly pointed out, Walter has literally given up on music, sold all his gear and now lives alone in a seniors residence near Kaimanakia, (Diamond Head). On top of all his woes, it wasn't too many years earlier when he lost his dear wife.
C'mon guys, (and wahines)...show this wonderful man your Aloha and love. Make an occasion of it. Call the Mayor...perhaps a civic presention with a plaque of recognition for a lifetime of great music....the ball is in your court......geev 'em ! |
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Ron Whitfield
From:
Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2007 5:32 pm
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Unless the 'powers that be' are willing to do the right thing, it won't matter what anyone or group sez about it. He wouldn't be into all the hoopla mentioned, just a nice mention would suffice.
It's not as tho no one has brought it up before, so there are no excuses.
Lets just hope the Aloha does indeed shine thru.
I'm sure Walter would be the happiest guy on the planet if this simple gesture happened.
And, I can't think of any better way to put the cherry on top of a successful '07 steel convention. |
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