"I wanted the kids to enjoy (the new album), and not get people so excited. People said I one haole basher. I not, but there's enough racial things going on. They don't need my help pushing it. You see all the stuff (happening) on the mainland. We don't need that here."
La‘ia dropped out of sight last year after making waves as a comedian, social commentator, recording artist, public-access cable star, and ill-fated candidate for governor in 1994.
"Wuz scoping out the outer islands. Hanging with the old timers to get some edumacation and put my hands in the lo'i. See if I could help plant some (kalo). No poi (growing) in Waimanalo. Only at Mel's Market got poi."
Building on his "False Crack???" debut album, La‘ia blends parody and social commentary on his new album, "Hawaii's Most Wanted." La‘ia's observations on the lifestyles of "gangsta" rappers like Snoop Doggy Dogg are reworked local-style into the adventures and misadventures of ever-optimistic Bu La‘ia - arrested last year for allegedly skateboarding at the airport.
La‘ia said he was using his skateboard to move his luggage- " 'cause didn't have $1.50 to rent a cart" - adding that another local recording artist saw his encounter with the security guards.
"Get so much violent crime and they bus' one Hawaiian for skateboarding - $50 fine and I wasn't (even) skateboarding. Jus' using the skateboard instead of a cart."
La‘ia is scheduled to appear in court Feb. 3. In the meantime he's working on new video segments to air on KHNL in February and March. He hopes to spend more time visiting local schools and talking with the kids.
"If I can give back (to the community) by helping other people I will. Help people who no more money. As far as kids, telling 'em to stay in school and stay off the batu is my main mission.
"Thinking of the keiki o ka aina and their future sounds kind of heavy but they gotta have (positive) options and incentives. Emphasize education and thinking for themselves instead of letting other people tell them what to think - or just playing TV video games stuff. No good to be stuck to the TV or Nintendo."
And he is "definitely" going to be back into politics. "Run from the police, run for governor. One of the first questions people ask (is) if I gonna run. Last fall they'd ask if I was running, I'd tell 'em Governor not even up this time.'"
When La‘ia starts talking about some of the issues behind his material - development vs. environment; growth vs. quality of life; water rights; increasing the production of poi - the voice of a concerned Hawaiian nationalist is heard through the humor.
He adds that next time around he will be of legal age to run, although, "I'm sure (election officials) will find something to harass me with."
"One (group) against another is bogus. God created us all. When I wrote the album that was a key issue. Violence is part of reality but life isn't a dress rehearsal. Sometimes there is no 'second chance.'
"Seriously, I tell the kids to use that one chance, try be themselves and not like somebody on TV. Stay off the pipe and don't believe the hype!"
BU La‘ia bounces back a little softer and but still spiced with witty observations on island life. The gangster-druggie rap of Snoop Doggy Dogg becomes fodder for several of his best segments. One "Dogg Pound" bit gets a fresh political spin when a young Hawaiian tells an inquiring teacher he wants to grow up to be a Bishop Estate trustee.
The title comes from Bu's highly publicized bust last year for allegedly skateboarding at the airport. La‘ia presents his side of the story with "Skateboarding Wuz Da Case." It's a highlight.
A recurring subject is the rumored use of cat meat in Asian cuisine. "Manapua Man" sets that premise to the music of Sammy Davis Jr.'s hit, "Candy Man."
Cat meat also figures in a series of crank calls as La‘ia attempts to place orders for Hawaiian food at non-Hawaiian ethnic restaurants. (Bu's as good at crank calls as anybody, but hopefully won't pursue more of this.)
Downhome political commentary in the Will Rogers tradition is still the most promising part of his comic repertoire.