Hawaii Called....

Kay Das · From: Los Angeles CA

Diary from The Hawaiian in Me…

Its been days since we returned from that magical trip. Seems it was a dream being there on that half-mile strip of beach on which steel guitar was born and I had to pinch myself to believe I was actually there after two years. Since returning I have not touched a single string of the 50 strung across the various steel guitars in my home studio. It will feel like doing so one day, but not just yet. In short, it was wonderful being there even for the short time I could afford.

I arrived Thursday afternoon and forumite Kris Oka very kindly met me at the airport in his rental car. Drove into Waikiki, dumped my bags on the hotel bed and headed for the Marriot to catch the Auntie Genoa show. Alan Akaka was starring steel guitar, played a delightful version of “ Whispering Lullaby”. After the interval, Alan asked me to take his place on the stand. As you may guess I did not wait for a second invitation. It was a real pleasure doing a solo (“Harbor Lights”) and then accompanying Auntie Genoa’s group on four or five vocal numbers on steel.

My set at the HSGA was on the Friday afternoon with hardly any practice time. My valiant accompanists (Chris K, Barb, Kris and Eddie) did a fine job inspite of the short notice and being bumped up one in the queue (which shortened time for any pre-set nerves!). One of the new tunes tried was “Could I Have This Dance”, an original Anne Murray waltz number and Hawaiianized by Dennis Pavao.

After the sets a lot of us HSGA’ites beetled down to the House Without a Key to hear Jeff Au Hoy play with the Hiram Olsen Trio. What a beautiful evening with Jeff’s artful playing and singing. What was most remarkable was the younger generation singing and playing the great old Hawaiian songs, seldom heard today. Then back to the Queen Kapiolani hotel for a jam session (as also the one on the Thursday night which I forgot to mention above) which rivaled the ones I have been to at Joliet. Eddie, the left-handed guitar player from Waimanalo kept all of us going with his infectious enthusiasm and great knowledge of Hawaiian tunes, and there were some very good steel players there. Uncle Ronald, who I had met before and met again this time, is his teacher, a very very nice person, left handed at steel. At about 1 am I found myself actually sleeping over my steel guitar…..matchsticks time …time to hit the sack.

A group of us decided to make a pilgrimage to Harry’s Music Store where Jerry used to teach. Not having been there before, it was a sentimental trip. Although it may not be what it once was, I found plenty. A pleasant surprise was the number of music books with old Hawaiian music. Titles I had never heard of before. The evening spent again at the Princess Halekulani in the company of Ivan Reddington and his wife and other HSGAites to see Jeff play. Fantastic setting again. I got introduced to Hiram Olsen who complimented me on an old thirties number I once did, “ I Understand” in a big band setting. Funny how the HSGA tunes get around.

My wife, Adriana, arrived late Saturday night and Kris was again gracious to insist on driving to the airport. After my habitual breakfast at Lulu’s overlooking the sea and the surfers, we drifted to the Ho’olau’lea at the golf course, meeting lovely old friends Larry and Pat Myers from the Jerry Byrd days and mingling with HSGAers (some photographs in the oven). For me the highlight of this event was the artistry of the younger steel players (Jeff and then a young man from Japan, one of Lion’s students). Then there was a gentleman from Japan who played a Japanese tune which sound so plaintive and the tone and picking so innovative that both Adriana and I rushed to congratulate him afterwards. I am not sure I got the name right but was it Yoshiaki Ohtake? He played with his feet on resting on his guitar case. It was the first time Adriana had been to an HSGA event and she was impressed. After the show we beetled it over to the Marriot where Bobby Ingano was playing, met him after two years. What great sounds, what a great guy!

Adriana and I met with Jeff Au Hoy on Monday evening over dinner, chatted over several topics. What great intellectual company he is and what a lovely evening! After dinner we both wished to go to a jazz club but as the wait was too long, we went back to our hotel (the Waikiki Resort is actually better than the Queen K for the same rates) and played steel guitar until late into the night.

Tuesday was Lei Day and beautiful. It was well organized and the HSGA deserves credit in making everything smooth for players and listeners. Met more old friends, too numerous to name here. On my set I introduced the Iz Kamakawiwo’ole tune “In Dis Life” as a steel guitar solo which drew favourable comment in particular from L.T. Zinn, and that was music to my ears. It’s a great tune for steel (and the words are very nice too). Adriana singled out the playing of Mike Scott as her most favourite amongst the many she heard. The night was spent at the Bros Kazimero concert, company of Paul Weaver and others, and a good time was had by all.

Sadly, it was time to leave on Wednesday. We were invited to breakfast at the Orchid at the Princess Kaiuleani with a friend from England long settled in Hawaii and we both go back almost to the time we were in nappies. What a splendid setting for a farewell to the islands! Then it was time to leave…. Larry and Pat graciously dropped us back at the airport.

You now hear a long, deep sigh………………………we will be back!

Kay

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George Keoki Lake · From: Edmonton, AB., Canada

I would say that, for the short time you were in Waikiki, you certainly covered a lot of territory and heard some of the best to be heard ! Waikiki is always fascinating, no matter how many visits. However, visit #1 will always remain your most memorable.

http://www3.telus.net/public/lake_r/

Kay Das · From: Los Angeles CA

These pics from Adriana's Mac which she took to Singapore, and just returned...

1. Larry and Pat Myers, Adriana and Kay at Kapiolani Park on Lei Day

2. Joan Woods, Adriana, Betty and Bo Bahret, Don Kona Woods at the QK

3. Two steelers...

4. Larry Myers, Adriana, Jeff and friend at the Ho'olaule'a

5. WIth Tom and Setsuki Tohma

6. No introductions needed...

7. View from Lulu's

Ron Simpson · From: Illinois, USA

Mahalo nui loa for sharing the photos. They contain many familiar places and familiar faces.

Ron

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Here is a picture taken in the lobby of the Queen Kapiolani where a jam session of HSGA members.
L-R Don Kellett from California; Eddie Ka'iama from Waimanalo, Hawaii; Chris Kennison from Colorado, John Mills, Perth Australia; Andy Barlo from Indiana?
A lot of fun at these jam sessions with many taking part. Eddie plays a regular guitar, but left handed and upside down. It is phenominal. In other words you could hand the guitar to a right handed player and he would turn it right-side-up. He plays a good slack key.

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Here is a picture of Kay Das doing his jamming with "Uncle Braddah" on the ukelele. To mainland folks he is Lionel Kailihiwa, but to Hawaiian folks he is "Uncle Braddah", a name of respect and endearment. "Uncle" is a term of respect for older people. I was called "Uncle Don" by some Hawaiian folks, which I appreciated and meant alot to me.

Uncle Braddah consented to be my bodyguard, so don't mess with me. Laughing

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

I made a mistake.

Don Kona Woods · From: Hawaiian Kama'aina

Chuck S. Lettes · From: Denver, Colorado

Great pictures! It looks like a fun weekend with fellowship and music.
Chuck

Kay Das · From: Los Angeles CA

....sharing some more pics to complement the wonderful pics that Don has just put up. Eat your hearts out or...start saving up for 2009!

LT Zinn and friends At The House Without a Key

Jeff Au Hoy having a quiet laugh thinking of rogue waves washing tourists behind him..

Paul Kim and friends at The House Without a Key...(2004)

The shores where steel guitar was born...

With Aunty Genoa Keawe (Marriot, 2004), apologies for the back..ground

Who is that barefooted steel guitar player?

Andy Barlo · From: Schererville, Indiana, USA * R.I.P.

Thanks for the pictures Kay. It feela like I'm still there. By the Way, would you happen to have Eddie Ka'iama email address? He gave it to me while I was there but when I tried to email him it did not go through.

Andy

Todd Weger · From: Safety Harbor, FLAUSA

Kay -- that sounds like just a wonderful time. I've been wanting to go there for so long, and just can't seem to get away from playing gigs (it's all I do - my wife has the real job Smile

). One of these days. Definitely have to just make sure to get there in 2009.

In this pic, is that one of those little VOX battery amps that I see being used for the steel? Those put out enough volume to play outside!!???

I have to check those out!

Thank you for the great synopsis.
_________________
Todd James Weger --
1956 Fender Stringmaster T-8 (C6, E13, A6); 1960 Fender Stringmaster D-8 (C6, B11/A6); Custom-made 25" aluminum cast "fry pan" with vintage Ricky p'up (C6); 1938 Epiphone Electar (A6); 1953 Oahu Tonemaster; assorted ukuleles; upright bass

Kay Das · From: Los Angeles CA

Andy,

Unfortunately, I do not have Eddie's address. Chris Kennison may have it, if he is tuning in.

Todd,

Yes, Jeff does use a small Vox, model DA5 if memory serves me right, which is miked into the house PA system. It gives a nice "tubey" sound. I think Gerald Ross uses one too. I have tried it out at NAMM and was impressed.

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