'Once-in-a-lifetime
celebration'

Story by Catherine Kekoa Enomoto
Photos by George F. Lee
Star-Bulletin

Hau'olionalani Lewis of Noenoelani Zuttermeister's dance troupe
practices for their engagement at the Smithsonian Institute's
150th birthday party.


A pair of Hawaii acts anchors the lineup at this weekend's mile-long block party marking the 150th birthday party of the Smithsonian Institution.

Kumu hula Noenoelani Zuttermeister - daughter of the late hula master Aunty Kau'i Zuttermeister - with her halau, and the Ho'opi'i Brothers join scores of performers Saturday and Sunday on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Aunty Kau'i Zuttermeister was the first Hawaii recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, in 1984. A dozen years later the Ho'opi'i Brothers are the most recent Hawaii recipients of the $10,000 honor - announced July 9 and set to be presented at September ceremonies in the nation's capital.

Hawaii's honorees share sesquicentennial billing with such performers as Aretha Franklin, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Lakota Sioux Dance Theater, Soh Daiko Japanese drummers, Asian American Arts Center Korean drummers, and Bahamian Junkanoo Rushout parade unit.

The Ho'opi'i Brothers - Richard, left, and Solomon - 1996 recipients of the National Heritage Fellowship as "keepers of traditional art forms" - perform at the Smithsonian's 150th birthday bash with the family of late hula master Kau'i Zuttermeister, in 1984 the first of Hawaii's 10 recipients.


"This is so rich in culture - a once-in-a-lifetime celebration," said Noenoelani Zuttermeister, kumu of the halau her mother started, Zuttermeister's Hula Studio. "There are more than 90 groups and entertainers from all over the nation. It's the best event the Smithsonian has ever done. We will celebrate the museum, which is really the legacy of our nation. There will be televised blurbs on CNN. It's mind-boggling."

The Ho'opi'i Brothers perform leo ki'eki'e - the uniquely Hawaiian falsetto vocal style. Their albums include "No Ka 'Oi" in 1976, "Aloha Pumehana" in 1977, "Ho'i Hou" in 1978, "Kauna" in 1979, and "Gifts of Songs," 1990.

Richard and Solomon Ho'opi'i - seven-eighths Hawaiian brothers from Kahakuloa village on the Valley Isle - recorded their first CD this past weekend on Oahu, including three songs by Solomon.

"We're self-taught - probably gifted by God, instilling us (with talent) to carry on this tradition for our culture and continue it on throughout our life," said Richard Ho'opi'i, the younger brother at age 55, 5 feet 6 inches tall and 400 pounds ("I'm short, fat and handsome; I carry the load. But, I'm getting skinny for Jesus"). Brother Solomon is 61 years old, 5 feet 8, and 195 pounds.

Three Zuttermeister generations dance at a Kaneohe dress rehearsal for the Smithsonian Institution's 150th birthday party - from left, daughter Hau'olionalani Lewis, granddaughter Kahula'auli'i Guinn, and mother Noenoelani Zuttermeister.


"We have similar voices," Richard Ho'opi'i said. "At times when we sing, people get confused about who is the lead singer. When we sing 'E Mama E,' we sing 'eeeee' exactly alike and we hold on to that note for almost three minutes. We can go on for that long in the same identical voice because one person breathes in between, while the other carries on (the note)."

This weekend the Ho'opi'is will lift their voices in "Akaka Falls," "E Mama E," "Hawaiian Rainbow" and their signature songs, "Kupa Landing" and the yodeling song, "Hawaiian Cowboy."

The Brothers and the Zuttermeister 'ohana collaborate in hourlong performances at 3 p.m. Saturday on the outdoor Castle Stage, and 4 p.m. Sunday in Freer Gallery's Meyer Auditorium. And, the Brothers perform alone at 1 p.m. Saturday in Freer Gallery.

Other sesquicentennial highlights are 23 pavilions representing all Smithsonian museums and facilities, and 19 minutes of fireworks at 9:10 p.m. Saturday. Check out the birthday party home page on Internet at http://www.150.si.edu/birthday

The Ho'opi'is and 12 others will be feted at the National Heritage Fellowship awards ceremonies Sept. 25 in D.C. They join an elite group of 196 to receive the nation's highest honor in folk and traditional arts since 1982.

From left, Ululani Zuttermeister, Carl Zuttermeister, Hau'oliona-lani Lewis, Kahula'auli'i Guinn, Waiolikeola, Noenoelani Zuttermeister, Hokuike Zuttermeister and Kapua Annalisa Molina are Washington, D.C., bound.


"We never dreamed that we would be one of the people (to receive this award) in our life," Richard Ho'opi'i said. "Throughout our life we've been giving performances for any church, community group, school or nonprofit, donating our services to help in any which way ... We're still happy, still dreaming, 'Is it true?' "


The facts

What: "Smithsonian Fantastic Journey" special (will not be live from the birthday party)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Airs on KGMB-TV



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