On the Scene

By John Berger

MAKANA'S "KOI AU"
CD RELEASE PARTY

WHAT A PARTY!: Innovative slack-key guitarist Makana celebrated the release of his landmark second album, "Koi Au," at Gordon Biersch on Sunday. He received plenty of aloha from, from left, Kahea, Archarna, Julie and Rachel. Guest musicians Jeff Peterson, Guy Cruz, Pierre Grill and Ernie Provencher provided an eclectic mix of music.

MAKANA ROCKS: Makana took the stage twice to showcase songs from his new album and play a few old favorites. He returned a third time to close the party sitting in on a high-energy Hawaiian jam with Moanalua.

ANYBODY REMEMBER TKO?: Party guests Pierre Grill and Yvette Ceno Moore got reacquainted while Makana played. Moore recorded at Grill's original Rendezvous Studios when she was singing with a band named TKO in the '80s. Grill, who is also a multitalented musician, played some great jazz on accordion during a set with bassist Ernie Provencher earlier in the evening.

John Berger has covered the local
entertainment scene since 1972. Contact
him at jberger@starbulletin.com.